Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

The Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) administers TUEs.

ASDMAC has 21 days to consider and provide the outcome about a TUE application. This is if all the necessary supporting medical evidence is provided. 

If an application is incomplete, ASDMAC will return it to the athlete and may ask for more information.

If ASDMAC approves the TUE application a TUE certificate is given to the athlete. Copies are sent to the athlete’s doctor.

Expiry dates

TUEs last for different lengths of time depending on the substance. This can range from weeks to years. It is the athletes’ responsibility to check the expiry date and apply for a renewal if they are still taking the medication.

International level athletes

A TUE granted by ASDMAC and administered by Sport Integrity Australia is only valid at the national-level. If you become an international-level athlete or compete at major games, your TUE will not be valid unless it is recognised by the relevant International Federation or Major Event Organisation. 

ASDMAC will help the athlete seek recognition of their TUE from the International Federation or Major Event Organisation.

TUE applications are processed in accordance with the WADA International for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

Unrecognised TUEs

Should an athlete’s approved ASDMAC TUE not be recognised by an International Federation or Major Event Organisation, the athlete, with help from ASDMAC, can appeal to WADA.

Unsuccessful TUE applications

Should an athlete's TUE not be approved by ASDMAC they can:

• Submit new supporting documentation and request that ASDMAC reconsider their application.
• If there is no new supporting documentation, the athlete can appeal to the ASDMAC Review Panel who will consider the application that was not approved by ASDMAC (no new material can be added).
• Athletes can initiate this appeal by emailing asdmac@sportintegrity.gov.au

Conditions for a TUE

Under the World Anti-Doping Code–International Standard-Therapeutic Use Exemptions (2023) an athlete may be granted a TUE if they can show they meet each of the following conditions:

• The prohibited substance or method is needed to treat a diagnosed medical condition supported by relevant clinical evidence.
• The therapeutic use of the prohibited substance or method will not produce any extra enhancement of performance beyond what might be anticipated by a return to the athlete’s normal state of health following the treatment of the medical condition.
• The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative.
• The necessity for the use of the prohibited substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE) of a substance or method prohibited at the time of such use.

Support person

As a support person, you do not need a TUE to carry a prohibited substance for your own use.

However, under the World Anti-Doping Code rules, possession of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or a support person is considered an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Support personnel must have a legitimate reason (that is, have a medical condition for which this medication is prescribed) to possess a prohibited substance while in the company of athletes or in the sporting environment. In these circumstances you should always carry evidence to support this reason. This could include a copy of a doctor’s prescription and a medical letter from your doctor.

You should not carry prohibited substances for athletes. A team doctor is exempt from this, but they should have legitimate reasons for carrying these medications.