Healthcare products include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, complementary healthcare products and other medical products. Over-the-counter medicines and complementary healthcare products can be purchased without prescription in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, and include cough/cold products, vitamins and herbals, mouthwash and sunscreen. Other medical products available in pharmacies and supermarkets include wound dressings, tampons and condoms.

Consumers expect that the healthcare products they purchase are safe, effective and of high quality.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is the part of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing responsible for ensuring that healthcare products available in Australia are of an acceptable standard.Most healthcare products must be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). An AUST R or AUST L number on a label shows that the healthcare product has been included on the ARTG. An AUST R number shows that a product has been assessed for safety, quality and effectiveness. AUST L numbers are given to lower risk products used for minor health complaints or health maintenance. However some products, for example condoms, tampons and anti-dandruff shampoos, are exempt from displaying an AUST R or AUST L number.