Do TGA advertising rules apply to my IV therapy business?

If your advertising names or describes what's in the drip — vitamins, amino acids, glutathione, any ingredient — then yes, you are advertising therapeutic goods and the full Advertising Code applies. Advertising the service alone, without naming the goods, sits mostly outside the Code, but AHPRA's practitioner advertising rules still apply either way.

Can I use client testimonials in my clinic's marketing?

Not from anyone involved in producing, marketing or supplying the goods, which captures staff and paid influencers, and never an endorsement from a health practitioner, hospital or government body. On top of that, National Law s133 bans testimonials in a registered practitioner's own advertising, so for most mobile IV practices the practical answer is no.

What's the difference between AHPRA and TGA advertising rules?

AHPRA governs practitioner conduct and practitioner advertising under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. The TGA governs advertising of therapeutic goods under the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. A mobile IV practice usually has to satisfy both at the same time — clearing one does not clear the other.

Australia · Compliance guide

TGA Advertising Rules for Australian IV & Wellness Practices: A Practical Checklist

This guide is for Australian mobile IV, vitamin-drip and wellness clinics that run their own marketing — the owner or practice manager writing the Instagram caption, the website page or the drip menu. It walks the ten rule areas the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code applies to this industry, with a realistic non-compliant example and a compliant rewrite for each.

This isn't theoretical. The TGA issued infringement notices totalling $159,840 to a single company for unlawful IV-infusion advertising, and AHPRA sent warning letters to IV wellness clinics in 2022 over their advertising. Regulators are reading this industry's marketing.

The ten rule areas

Rule A — Health service vs. therapeutic good

Naming or describing a drip's ingredients turns a health-service ad into therapeutic-goods advertising, which triggers the full Advertising Code. You can promote the service; the moment you list what's in the bag, every other rule below applies to you.

Non-compliant

Book our Recovery IV Drip — packed with glutathione and B12 to help you bounce back fast.

Compliant

Book our Recovery treatment — a nurse-administered IV therapy service designed to support hydration and recovery.

Rule B — Named restricted substances

Schedule 3 (unless listed in Appendix H), Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 substances cannot be advertised to the public at all. Glutathione in IV presentation is a confirmed Schedule 4 example, and it appears constantly in drip marketing.

Non-compliant

Our IV drips include glutathione for glowing skin.

Compliant

Don't name the restricted ingredient in the ad at all. Describe it as something discussed in consultation with your practitioner — not promoted publicly.

Rule C — Restricted representations

You cannot refer to a serious disease or condition — cancer, sexually transmitted infections, mental illness and similar — without prior TGA approval. Separately, you can never claim a supplement replaces good nutrition or is better than real food.

Non-compliant

Our vitamin IV boosts fight off cancer-causing free radicals.

Compliant

Drop the disease reference entirely — keep claims general and free of unapproved conditions.

Rule D — Government endorsement

Never state or imply TGA or government endorsement. "TGA approved" is a breach even where some part of the underlying statement is true, because the TGA does not approve or endorse businesses like this.

Non-compliant

TGA-approved IV therapy for ultimate wellness.

Compliant

Delivered by AHPRA-registered nurses — a real, factual credential claim instead of a fake government endorsement.

Rule E — Accuracy

Advertising must be accurate, balanced and not misleading. No "safe", no "no side effects", no "works every time", no guaranteed or miracle-cure language.

Non-compliant

Zero side effects, 100% effective every time.

Compliant

Most clients report feeling refreshed after treatment — individual results vary.

Rule F — Safe and proper use

Copy must not encourage excessive use, self-diagnosis or self-directed treatment. Frequency-based promotions are the usual trap here.

Non-compliant

Come back every day this week for maximum results!

Compliant

Stick to the recommended or practitioner-directed frequency in your copy.

Rule G — Scientific and clinical claims

Technical terminology must be understandable by the audience you're actually speaking to, and consistent with the real body of evidence. Science-sounding language aimed at general consumers is a common breach.

Non-compliant

Maximises cellular ATP synthesis via enhanced IV bioavailability — aimed at general consumers.

Compliant

Use plain-language wellness framing, or don't make the technical claim publicly at all.

Rule H — Advertising to children

Advertising must not be directed at anyone under 18. That covers placement as well as imagery and tone.

Non-compliant

Youth-oriented imagery, platforms or language that puts the offer in front of under-18s.

Compliant

Keep placement and creative squarely aimed at adults.

Rule I — Testimonials and endorsementsHighest risk

This is the highest-risk category. No testimonials from anyone involved in producing, marketing or supplying the goods — paid influencers included — and no endorsements from health practitioners, hospitals or government bodies.

Non-compliant

As recommended by Dr. Smith, our physician partner! — or reposting a client's tagged testimonial thanking your nurse by name.

Compliant

Skip health-practitioner endorsements and supply-side testimonials entirely. This rule stacks with AHPRA's own National Law s133, which separately bans testimonials in a registered practitioner's own advertising.

Rule J — Incentives

No incentive to purchase, use, supply or recommend the goods beyond a straightforward price reduction.

Non-compliant

Book 3 IV sessions, get the 4th free!

Compliant

4th session at 25% off — a plain discount, not a free therapeutic good or service used as bait.

Frequently asked questions

Do TGA advertising rules apply to my IV therapy business?: If your advertising names or describes what's in the drip — vitamins, amino acids, glutathione, any ingredient — then yes, you are advertising therapeutic goods and the full Advertising Code applies. Advertising the service alone, without naming the goods, sits mostly outside the Code, but AHPRA's practitioner advertising rules still apply either way.
Can I use client testimonials in my clinic's marketing?: Not from anyone involved in producing, marketing or supplying the goods, which captures staff and paid influencers, and never an endorsement from a health practitioner, hospital or government body. On top of that, National Law s133 bans testimonials in a registered practitioner's own advertising, so for most mobile IV practices the practical answer is no.
What's the difference between AHPRA and TGA advertising rules?: AHPRA governs practitioner conduct and practitioner advertising under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. The TGA governs advertising of therapeutic goods under the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. A mobile IV practice usually has to satisfy both at the same time — clearing one does not clear the other.

Check your own copy

Check your own ad copy against these rules before you post it Open the full AU compliance reference vault

General information only. This is not legal advice and does not replace a compliance or legal review of your own advertising.