Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed that pill testing will now be permanent in the state following a trial period that will determine the most effective strategy.
A fixed location will also open in mid-2025 somewhere within Melbourne, close to nightlife and transport.
Legislation will be amended at the end of this year to allow trials but the possession and supply of illegal drugs will not be decriminalised, and the authority of police to check drugs will not change.
The policy change mirrors the state's key medical advice with five key recommendations in Victoria from 2021 encouraging drug examination services to reduce the risk of death from overdose.
This is a dramatic change from Allan's predecessor, Daniel Andrews, who had consistently opposed similar trials.
What else to know: Allan says pill testing can save lives.
“It exists all over the world and the evidence says it works,” he said.
In a video posted to social media on Monday night (June 24), Ms Allan announced trials would continue at various music festivals this summer.
Victoria's five coronial recommendations since 2021 push for drug examination services to reduce the risk of death from overdose.
Queensland and the ACT are the only jurisdictions that have legalised pill testing.
