NSW to bring official drug checking to 15 festivals from this year

The state government will invest over AUS$4m into the scheme after a year-long-trial found it to be a "successful" harm reduction strategy

News By Ciaran Donnelly | 2 September 2026

Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass Festival, New South Wales

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced a AUS$4.3m investment in official drug checking services at up to 15 music festivals, which will begin in October 2026.

Drug checking refers to a system of on-site testing centres at concerts and festivals where event attendees can submit samples of substances to be tested for safety before consumption. The NSW government emphasised that illicit drugs remain illegal, but that users’ identities will not be shared with law enforcement under the scheme.

The…

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