If you've been looking into natural therapies as a treatment option in Australia, you've probably come across some unfamiliar terms — SAS-B, Authorised Prescriber, TGA. It can feel like reading a foreign language.
You're not alone. Most patients come to their first consultation with a mix of curiosity and confusion. The good news? You don't need to understand every layer of the regulatory system to access care. That's your doctor's job.
But understanding the basics — in plain English — can help you feel more confident and prepared. So let's break it down.
What Are These Pathways?
In Australia, medicinal cannabis is classified as an unapproved therapeutic good by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Australia's national regulator for medicines and medical devices. This simply means it sits outside the standard medicines register, so doctors need a specific authorisation before they can prescribe it to a patient.
There are two main ways a doctor can get that authorisation:
- SAS-B — the Special Access Scheme, Category B
- Authorised Prescriber (AP)
Both are legal, both are TGA-regulated, and both result in a real prescription that gets dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. The difference is mostly in the process — and it plays out behind the scenes, between your doctor and the TGA.
SAS-B Explained: Approval for Individual Patients
The Special Access Scheme Category B (SAS-B) is an application pathway designed for individual patients. When your doctor uses SAS-B, they submit an application to the TGA specifically for you — your name, your condition, and the proposed treatment.
The TGA reviews the application and assesses whether the treatment is clinically justified. This includes looking at:
- Your diagnosis and symptoms
- Treatments you've already tried
- Why standard approved medicines may not be appropriate for your situation
- The potential benefits versus the risks
Once the TGA approves the application, your doctor is authorised to prescribe — for you specifically. If another patient comes along with the same condition, a separate SAS-B application is required for them.
Key things to know about SAS-B:
- The TGA typically processes SAS-B applications within 2 to 5 business days
- Your doctor must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
- The approval is patient-specific — it belongs to you and your treating doctor
- It may take slightly longer if the TGA needs more information
For most patients accessing natural therapies for the first time in Australia, SAS-B is the most common starting pathway.
Authorised Prescriber Explained: A Streamlined Path
The Authorised Prescriber (AP) pathway works differently. Instead of applying to the TGA for each individual patient, a doctor applies once to become authorised to prescribe for a defined class of patients with a specific condition.
Once a doctor holds AP status, they can prescribe to eligible patients without needing to submit an individual TGA application each time. This makes the process faster and more efficient — particularly for clinics that see many patients with similar conditions.
To become an Authorised Prescriber, a doctor must:
- Hold general, specialist, or limited medical registration with AHPRA
- Apply through the TGA's SAS and Authorised Prescriber Online System
- Provide clinical justification for prescribing the unapproved therapeutic good
- For some medicines, obtain endorsement from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or specialist medical college — although many medicinal cannabis products on the established history of use list do not require this step
Once approved, the AP's authority letter specifies what they can prescribe, for which conditions, and for how long. Doctors must also report to the TGA every six months on the number of patients treated.
Key things to know about Authorised Prescribers:
- The TGA generally approves AP applications within 15 business days
- Approved APs can prescribe without case-by-case TGA approval for each patient
- The AP's authority is for a class of patients — not one individual
- Only registered medical practitioners can become Authorised Prescribers
- The authority must be renewed when it expires
At The Happy Clinic, our doctors hold Authorised Prescriber status. This means patients who meet the clinical criteria can often access their treatment more quickly, without delays waiting on individual TGA approvals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | SAS-B | Authorised Prescriber (AP) |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies to the TGA? | The doctor, for each individual patient | The doctor applies once for a class of patients |
| How long does TGA approval take? | Typically 2–5 business days | Up to 15 business days (one-time process) |
| Patient wait for prescription? | Approval needed before prescribing | Doctor can prescribe immediately once AP authority is active |
| Is it patient-specific? | Yes — each patient needs their own approval | No — one approval covers a defined class of patients |
| Who can use it? | AHPRA-registered medical practitioners | AHPRA-registered medical practitioners only |
| Reporting requirements | Doctor responsible for adverse event reporting | 6-monthly patient number reports to the TGA, plus adverse event reporting |
What This Means for You as a Patient
Here's the honest truth: as a patient, this process mostly happens in the background. You won't be filling out TGA forms or submitting applications yourself. Your doctor handles that.
What matters most to you is:
- Whether you're eligible — your doctor will assess this during your consultation
- How long it takes — which depends on which pathway your clinic uses
- What you need to bring — so your doctor can make the best clinical decision for you
When your doctor holds Authorised Prescriber status, the process can be faster for eligible patients. There's no waiting on a case-by-case TGA decision. Your doctor can assess your suitability, discuss your options, and — if clinically appropriate — write a prescription at your consultation.
It's also worth knowing that a TGA approval or an Authorised Prescriber authority does not guarantee treatment. Every patient is assessed individually by their clinician. Your doctor must be satisfied that natural therapies is clinically appropriate for your specific situation before prescribing anything. This is not a box-ticking exercise — it's a genuine medical consultation.
Your Pre-Consultation Checklist
Preparing for your first consultation is one of the best things you can do. The more information your doctor has, the better they can assess your situation and explore what might work best for you.
Here's what we recommend you have ready:
- ✅ A summary of your condition — how long you've had it, how it affects your daily life
- ✅ A list of medications you've tried — prescription and over-the-counter, including those that didn't work or caused side effects
- ✅ Any relevant medical history — diagnoses, test results, specialist letters if available
- ✅ Your GP's name and practice — your doctor may wish to communicate with your GP as part of coordinated care
- ✅ Your current medications — including supplements, as some interactions need to be considered
- ✅ Any questions you want to ask — there are no silly questions in a good consultation
You don't need to arrive with a diagnosis for natural therapies. Your doctor is trained to assess your suitability as part of the consultation itself.
Realistic Timelines: What to Expect
One of the most common questions patients ask is: "How long until I can start?"
The honest answer depends on your individual circumstances and the clinic you're working with. Here's a general picture:
- Eligibility check — takes a few minutes online before you book
- Initial consultation — typically 20 to 40 minutes via phone or video
- TGA process — if your clinic uses SAS-B, allow 2–5 business days for TGA review. If your doctor is an Authorised Prescriber and you meet the criteria, this step may not add wait time at all
- Pharmacy dispensing and delivery — once a prescription is written and sent to a partner pharmacy, delivery typically takes a few business days
In straightforward cases where a patient is assessed as eligible and the prescribing doctor holds AP status, many patients can have their medication on the way within a week of their initial consultation. More complex cases may take longer.
What Happens After Your Consult?
Once your doctor assesses you as suitable and prescribes treatment, here's the general flow:
- Prescription issued — your doctor writes and sends the prescription to a licensed partner pharmacy
- Dispensing — the pharmacy prepares your prescription
- Delivery to your door — your medication is posted directly to your home address
- Follow-up care — most clinics will schedule follow-up consultations to review your progress and adjust your treatment if needed
At The Happy Clinic, we believe ongoing care is just as important as the initial consultation. Natural therapies is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Finding what works best for you — and adjusting your care over time — is what makes the difference.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're living with a chronic condition and you'd like to explore whether natural therapies could be right for you, the first step is a simple eligibility check.
Our AHPRA-registered doctors hold Authorised Prescriber status and are trained to understand the full complexity of natural therapies — from formulation types to individual patient suitability. We take the time to get it right.
Visit The Happy Clinic to check your eligibility or book a consultation today.
You deserve answers — not just a quick tick-and-flick. We're here to help you understand your options, clearly and honestly.
Important Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical consultation. Access to natural therapies in Australia requires assessment by an AHPRA-registered medical practitioner. Whether treatment is clinically appropriate for you is a decision that can only be made by a qualified clinician based on your individual circumstances. The Happy Clinic does not guarantee that any patient will be approved for or prescribed treatment. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your healthcare.
References
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Access to unapproved therapeutic goods for individual patients (Special Access Scheme). Australian Government Department of Health. Updated December 2025. Available at: tga.gov.au
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Access to unapproved therapeutic goods for multiple patients (Authorised Prescriber). Australian Government Department of Health. Updated December 2025. Available at: tga.gov.au