Agency
All medical devices are regulated by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (The Office of Devices Authorization is responsible for pre-market regulation, but the Office of Product Review oversees post-market regulations.)
Medical Device Definition
- Any instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or other article (whether used alone or in combination, and including the software necessary for its proper application) intended, by the person under whose name it is or is to be supplied, to be used for human beings for the purpose of one or more of the following:
- Diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease;
- Diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation of or compensation for an injury or disability;
- Investigation, replacement or modification of the anatomy or of a physiological process;
- Control of conception;
- And that does not achieve its principal intended action in or on the human body by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means, but that may be assisted in its function by such means; or
- Any instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or other article specified under subsection (2A); or
- Any instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or other article that is included in a class of instruments, apparatus, appliances, materials or other articles specified under subsection (2B); or
- An accessory to such an instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or other article covered by paragraph (a), (b) or (ab). Therapeutic Good Act 1989
Classification of Medical Device
International Classification |
Description |
Examples |
Risk Level |
Class I |
Simple with history of safe use |
Scalpels, compression bandages, dental kits |
Low |
Class II a |
 relatively low risk to the human body |
Hearing aids, masks for providing anaesthesia, |
Low - Moderate |
Class II b |
Relatively high risk to the human body |
Condoms, blood bags, infusion pumps, |
High - Moderate |
Class III |
Devices that may endanger the
Patient's life |
Cardiovascular stents, joint prostheses, heart valves |
High |
* See Appendix 1,2
Appendix 1Appendix 2
Certification of Medical Devices Government Flowchart

Post-Market Surveillance Details
“Clause 7.5(3) of the special procedure for systems and procedure packs requires the manufacturer to establish a post-market surveillance system to:
systematically review experiences gained after the device is supplied in Australia; implement any necessary corrective action in relation to the production of the device; notify the TGA of adverse events and near miss events; notify the TGA as soon as practicable about information relating to malfunction or deterioration of its device; notify the TGA as soon as practicable about any inadequacy in the production, labelling, instructions for use, or advertising materials of its device.” (Australian Regulatory Guidelines for Medical Devices, Section 16. Systems and procedure packs)