How to choose a supplement safely in Australia

Buy from the brand's official website or a reputable retailer. Look for an Australian contact, refund policy and privacy policy.

A clear ingredient list, directions and warnings should be easy to find.

Steer clear of:

• Cure or miracle claims
• Hidden subscriptions
• Fake reviews and countdown timers
• Unusual payment methods

Your pharmacist or GP can tell you whether a supplement suits you, especially if you take medication.

Most complementary medicines in Australia are 'listed' with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), meaning the sponsor has certified certain standards are met — it does not mean the TGA has evaluated or approved specific health claims.

A listed AUST L number on the label is a basic sign the product is in the regulatory system, but it's still worth doing your own checks before buying.

A trustworthy label should make it easy to find:

• Full ingredient list with quantities
• Directions for use and maximum daily dose
• Warnings and contraindications
• Manufacturer or sponsor name and address
• Batch number and expiry date

Scamwatch and the TGA regularly warn about supplement marketing tactics designed to pressure a quick purchase rather than an informed one.

• Claims to cure, treat or reverse a medical condition
• Countdown timers or 'only X left' pressure tactics
• Hidden recurring subscriptions buried in the checkout
• No Australian business address or contact details
• Reviews that all sound identical or appear overnight

Buying directly from the official brand website or a well-known Australian retailer reduces the risk of counterfeit or expired stock. Look for a clear refund policy, secure checkout and visible contact information before entering payment details.

Take a minute with the site itself. Does it have real policy pages — shipping, returns, privacy — or just marketing copy? Is the pricing in Australian dollars with GST included, and are the delivery timeframes stated plainly? A seller who hides the boring details is telling you something before you've spent a cent. Our Drivenol scam guide lists the specific warning signs worth checking.

• Does the label list full ingredients and directions?
• Is there an Australian contact address and phone or email?
• Is the refund and cancellation policy clear?
• Are claims realistic (general wellbeing, not cures)?
• Have I checked Scamwatch if anything feels off?

Pharmacists can quickly check for interactions with medications you already take, and a GP can advise whether a supplement makes sense for your situation. This is especially important if you have an existing health condition or take prescription medicine.

When considering a once-a-day capsule such as Drivenol, apply the same checklist: check the label, buy from the official source, confirm it's positioned as a general wellbeing product rather than a cure, and ask a pharmacist if you're unsure how it fits with your current medications.

Reviews can help, but they're also one of the easiest things to fake. Be suspicious of products with hundreds of uniform five-star reviews that appeared overnight, review pages with no dates or verified purchases, and 'testimonials' describing miracle results — Australian consumer rules around fake reviews exist precisely because this happens.

A fairer signal is a mix of honest, specific feedback over time. It's also worth knowing where a brand stands on its own reviews: we don't publish invented customer reviews on this site at all — our reviews guide explains exactly how we handle customer feedback, and why a new store with no reviews yet isn't the same thing as a store hiding them.

Your checks shouldn't stop at the checkout. When the parcel arrives, confirm the seal is intact, the expiry date is well into the future, and the label matches what the website described. Store the bottle as the label directs — for most capsule supplements that means somewhere cool, dry and below 25°C, not the bathroom shelf.

Keep your order confirmation email. If anything is wrong — a damaged bottle, a missing item, or a product that doesn't agree with you — a dated receipt and a photo of the issue make the guarantee or replacement conversation much simpler, whichever retailer you bought from.

More answers on our FAQ page.

• TGA — Complementary medicines
• Healthdirect — Complementary medicines
• Scamwatch
• ACCC — Fake reviews and online shopping