You pick up the pack. You read the front, the flavour, the promises. Then you turn it over and find a small code near the barcode: AUST L, or AUST R. Same shelf, different letter, and nobody in the aisle explains which one you should care about.
Ten seconds of label reading tells you how much scrutiny a product has already been through, and what the number does not cover.
AUST L means the medicine is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a lower-risk product using pre-approved ingredients and permitted claims, while AUST R means the TGA individually assessed that product for safety, quality and efficacy before it could be supplied. Every medicine supplied in Australia must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. The letter on the pack tells you which pathway it took. Hoola took the listed pathway: AUST L 508472, sponsor Hoola Australia Pty Ltd, ARTG start date 8 August 2025. All 27 actives and their exact quantities sit on the public register, and you can read them without asking us for anything.
Key takeaways
- AUST L marks a listed medicine. Lower risk, pre-approved ingredients, permitted claims only, and the lowest of the three tiers Australia uses to regulate medicines. Most complementary medicines and vitamins sit here, alongside some over-the-counter products including sunscreen.
- AUST R marks a registered medicine. The TGA runs a full evaluation of safety, quality and efficacy before it can be supplied, usually on the strength of clinical trials.
- The single practical difference is efficacy. Medicines with AUST R and AUST L(A) are assessed for efficacy, while those with AUST L are not. Every category still sits on the same register, and the classification shows up directly in the number on the label.
- Hoola is AUST L 508472. The certificate lists all 27 active ingredients with exact quantities per gram, and the TGA runs a free, public ARTG search where anyone can check every number.
- A missing AUST number is the real red flag. All medicines included in the ARTG must carry the relevant AUST number on the label. Without one, and outside the TGA's access pathways, a medicine may have been supplied illegally.
What does AUST L mean on a supplement label, and who is it for?
AUST L means the product is on the ARTG as a listed medicine, the lowest-risk of the three tiers Australia uses to regulate medicines. The L stands for listed. The R stands for registered.
Australia regulates medicines by risk, and the classification shows up directly in the number on the label. All medicines supplied in Australia must be included in the ARTG. The AUST number identifies the product on the ARTG. You may also see it called the ARTG ID, or the registration or listing number.
Listed medicines are lower-risk products that contain pre-approved ingredients and use permitted health claims. They must be on the ARTG, use only those pre-approved ingredients, use only permitted health claims, be manufactured under GMP standards, and they face post-market compliance reviews.
So who lives in this tier? Some over-the-counter medicines, including sunscreen, plus most complementary medicines and vitamins. Your greens powder. Your magnesium. Your daily multi. Hoola.
What does AUST R mean, and which medicines carry it?
AUST R means registered, and registered products are thoroughly evaluated before they reach you. These are higher-risk products that undergo full pre-market evaluation by the TGA for safety, quality and efficacy.
A registered medicine goes through that full TGA evaluation of safety, quality and efficacy before it can be supplied. The level of evidence required is much stronger, usually in the form of clinical trials to prove they work.
Medicines may be registered or listed. The TGA decides which products are suitable for listing and which require registration. Some products are registered and carry an AUST R number on their label. The whole system runs under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, whose objects include "a national system of controls relating to the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in Australia, whether produced in Australia or elsewhere, or exported from Australia".
Higher risk, higher bar (which is exactly what you want from a prescription medicine).
How do AUST L and AUST R compare on the label?
They compare on one thing that matters: whether the TGA assessed efficacy. Medicines with AUST R and AUST L(A) are assessed for efficacy, while those with AUST L are not.
All the medicines on the ARTG are allotted an AUST number. There are two types of entry on the register. Medicines will be either registered or listed. The AUST number can be AUST R, AUST L, or AUST L(A). These categories reflect different levels of regulatory oversight based on risk.
| AUST L | AUST L(A) | AUST R | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Listed | Assessed listed | Registered |
| Risk tier | Lowest of the three tiers | Middle | Higher risk |
| Ingredients | Pre-approved only | Pre-approved only | Evaluated per product |
| Efficacy assessed by the TGA | No | Yes | Yes |
| Claims | Permitted health claims | Health claims assessed for efficacy before sale | Assessed for safety, quality and efficacy |
Where does that leave a daily wellness powder? In the AUST L tier, if it is on the register at all. None of AG1, IM8, TMRW or AgeMate holds an Australian ARTG listing. Our own summary of the difference: "TGA listed (AG1 and IM8 are not), therapeutic dosage, focus on calm performance."
How does each pathway back up what the label claims?
Both pathways demand evidence. They just collect it at different moments.
Registered products are considered higher risk than listed products, and the TGA individually assesses each one for safety, quality and evidence that it works as claimed. Approval of an AUST R product rests on satisfactory assessments of quality, efficacy and safety.
Listed products are considered low risk, and companies must be able to demonstrate safety and quality. Sponsors are required under the Act to hold information that substantiates all of their product's claims. Listed medicines are not routinely evaluated before marketing, but they are subject to a random audit after listing.
What the TGA does assess for listed medicines sits at a system level rather than a per-product level: which ingredients are allowed to be used at all, and which wording is allowed to describe what a product does. The safety net sits at the level of which ingredients and which words may appear on any listed label anywhere, not at the level of whether the TGA tested this specific bottle.
Most people get this wrong. Almost half (43%) wrongly thought listed products had been evaluated by the TGA to see if they worked, and a further 23% were not sure. Manufacturers are also not permitted to suggest or imply in their advertisements that inclusion in the ARTG is a recommendation or endorsement by the TGA. Which is why we point you at the numbers instead.
What is in Hoola's formula, and where can you check the AUST L entry yourself?
Twenty-seven actives, every quantity published, and the entry is on the free, public ARTG search the TGA runs on its website.
Hoola is a Listed Medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, AUST L 508472, ARTG start date 8 August 2025, sponsor Hoola Australia Pty Ltd. Product type: listed medicine. Dosage form: powder, oral. Manufactured in Australia by BJP Laboratories Pty Ltd, Yatala QLD, with Australian laboratory testing. Each entry gets a unique identifier starting with "AUST", followed by a letter showing which tier it sits in, and that identifier must be printed on the label. Ours is on the pack. Type it into the register and read the certificate for yourself.
Nine support areas appear on the Public Summary: energy, stress response, cognition and memory, sleep, emotional wellness, immune, muscle performance, digestive, cardiovascular. Every per-serve figure below is the per-gram figure times ten. Both are published.
| Active (as listed on the ARTG) | Per gram | Per 10 g serve | Supports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Withania somnifera (KSM-66 Ashwagandha), root extract | 750 mg/g dry equivalent | 7,500 mg dry equivalent | helps support the body's natural stress response |
| Bacopa monnieri (BacoMind), whole plant extract standardised | 600 mg/g dry equivalent | 6,000 mg dry equivalent | supports memory, recall and retention |
| Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), fruiting body extract | 400 mg/g dry equivalent | 4,000 mg dry equivalent | supports healthy sleep patterns and relaxation without sedation |
| Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng), root extract | 300 mg/g dry equivalent | 3,000 mg dry equivalent | supports natural energy levels and helps reduce occasional tiredness |
| Alpinia galanga (enXtra), rhizome extract | 300 mg/g dry equivalent | 3,000 mg dry equivalent | supports mental alertness, attention and sustained focus |
| Cordyceps sinensis, fruiting body extract | 300 mg/g dry equivalent | 3,000 mg dry equivalent | supports natural energy production and helps reduce occasional tiredness and fatigue |
| Magnesium ascorbate monohydrate (vitamin C source) | 11.21 mg/g | 112.1 mg | supports normal immune function |
| Caffeine | 10 mg/g | 100 mg | supports mental alertness, reaction time and focus |
| Manganese amino acid chelate | 5 mg/g | 50 mg | supports bone formation |
| Zinc citrate dihydrate | 3.89 mg/g | 38.9 mg | supports immune function, skin health, taste and smell |
| Calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5) | 3.28 mg/g | 32.8 mg | support normal energy metabolism and the conversion of food into usable energy |
| Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) | 3 mg/g | 30 mg | support healthy skin, hair and nails (biotin, B2, B3) |
| d-alpha-tocopheryl acid succinate (vitamin E) | 2 mg/g | 20 mg | help prevent dietary vitamin and mineral deficiency |
| Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (vitamin B6) | 1.57 mg/g | 15.7 mg | support healthy red blood cell formation (B6, B12, folate) |
| Riboflavin sodium phosphate (vitamin B2) | 1.37 mg/g | 13.7 mg | support healthy skin, hair and nails (biotin, B2, B3) |
| Thiamine nitrate (vitamin B1) | 1.23 mg/g | 12.3 mg | support normal energy metabolism and the conversion of food into usable energy |
| Betacarotene (Lyc-O-Beta) | 0.3 mg/g | 3 mg | supports vision, skin and immune function |
| Biotin | 300 mcg/g | 3,000 mcg | support healthy skin, hair and nails (biotin, B2, B3) |
| Levomefolate glucosamine (folate) | 89 mcg/g | 890 mcg | support healthy red blood cell formation (B6, B12, folate) |
| Chromium picolinate | 40 mcg/g | 400 mcg | supports healthy blood glucose within the normal range |
| Potassium iodide | 20 mcg/g | 200 mcg | supports thyroid hormone production |
| Selenomethionine | 15 mcg/g | 150 mcg | supports thyroid hormone metabolism and antioxidant defences |
| Phytomenadione (vitamin K1) | 9 mcg/g | 90 mcg | help prevent dietary vitamin and mineral deficiency |
| Molybdenum trioxide | 8 mcg/g | 80 mcg | cofactor for detoxification enzymes |
| Mecobalamin (vitamin B12) | 5 mcg/g | 50 mcg | support healthy red blood cell formation (B6, B12, folate) |
| Menaquinone 7 (vitamin K2) | 5 mcg/g | 50 mcg | supports bone and cardiovascular health |
| Colecalciferol (vitamin D3, Vitashine) | 2.5 mcg/g | 25 mcg | supports calcium absorption, bone strength, muscle and immune function |
"Hoola uses active and bioavailable forms wherever possible, in line with Australian quality manufacturing standards." No proprietary blends. Doses disclosed. As our FAQ puts it, "we provide full formula transparency, including dosages of all functional ingredients, nothing to hide."
What changes if you switch to a listed product you can verify?
Your morning gets simpler and your evidence gets checkable. One 10 g scoop into 300 to 400 ml of cold water, each morning. That is the whole ritual.
Trying something new can feel like a big leap, and most supplements get abandoned by week two. So the arc here is gradual and honest. Adaptogens "may take 4-6 weeks for their full benefits." The 150 g pouch is two weeks, which is enough to see how you feel. "Most of our customers feel the biggest benefits with consistency."
Pack sizes match that. A 150 g pouch runs 15 days and is the trial size. The 300 g Welcome Box runs 30 days on subscription. Calm, clarity and energy in one scoop a day, from a product you can look up on the register before you commit. See the formula.
Should you choose an AUST L or AUST R product for daily wellbeing?
For daily wellbeing, AUST L is the category you are shopping in. AUST L medicines are much lower risk self-medication products. They are used for minor health problems and are reviewed for safety and quality. Every medicine must be on the ARTG and is assigned one of three AUST numbers based on its risk level and regulatory pathway.
An AUST L(A) product has had its health claims assessed for efficacy by the TGA before going on sale, and may use a "TGA assessed" claim on its label. If that assessed claim matters to you, look for the (A).
Inside the AUST L tier, the question becomes what is in the pack and at what dose. Ours is built for people who want to perform without the crash: "a supplement for modern lives, busy schedules and high ambition. Hoola helps people feel bright, steady in mind, clear in thought and energised in action." "Expert formulation with therapeutic dosages." Or in one line: "Hoola is a daily wellness drink with nootropics, adaptogens, vitamins and minerals to support energy, focus and mental clarity."
What should you look for on a label once you know the difference?
Look for the number first. You can tell whether a medicine is registered or listed by the AUST L, AUST L(A) or AUST R number on the label. The number is printed on the outer packaging so it can be seen easily. It gives you and health professionals confidence that the medicine has been approved, registered or listed, by the TGA for supply in Australia.
Then read the purpose. A purpose must be included on the label. Then check the tier against the category. Sunscreens can be listed products, yet they must have complied with testing under the Australian standard for sunscreens.
And if there is no AUST number? The TGA runs access pathways for medicines that are not on the ARTG, and outside those pathways only extraordinary circumstances allow an ARTG medicine to leave the number off the label. Where consent is given to import or supply an Australian medicine without the AUST number, details of the decision must be published on the website. A medicine with no number and no pathway may have been supplied illegally.
No fluff, no woo woo. Number, purpose, dose. "Clarity and confidence are a daily practice, not a lucky mood."
What does each option cost you per day?
A$3.30 a day on subscription, A$4.17 a day on the 30 day box, A$4.33 a day on the trial pouch.
| Option | Price | Supply | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $99 per month | 30 days | A$3.30 a day |
| 300 g Welcome Box | $125 | 30 days | about A$4.17 a day |
| 150 g pouch | $65 | 15 days | about A$4.33 a day |
Subscription is a 20% discount plus a free welcome pack valued at $70, which brings it down to $99 per month. The welcome pack is a glass drink bottle, a stainless canister and a scoop. You also get 20% off RRP, free shipping every month, VIP offers and no lock-in.
The alternative is building it yourself: "20+ supplements, over $250/month in separate products, 15+ capsules a day" against Hoola at "just $3.30 a day on subscription."
There is no half serve, no double serve and no weekly total. Hoola is one 10 g scoop a day. Not pushing harder, just operating brighter. Read more from us.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of products carry an AUST L number?
Listed medicines: lower risk self-medication products used for minor health problems, reviewed for safety and quality. They include some over-the-counter medicines, including sunscreen, and most complementary medicines and vitamins. They also include sunscreens over SPF4 and many vitamin, mineral, herbal and homoeopathic products.
Where do you find a product's AUST L number?
On the pack. The AUST number is displayed on the product label and packaging. It is printed on the outer packaging so that it can be seen easily. All medicines included in the ARTG must include the relevant AUST number, either AUST R, AUST L or AUST L(A), on the label.
How do you search an AUST L number on the ARTG?
Take the number off the pack and type it into the TGA's free, public ARTG search on its website. The AUST number identifies the product on the ARTG, so the number takes you straight to that entry. For us, search AUST L 508472: Hoola is a Listed Medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, ARTG start date 8 August 2025, sponsor Hoola Australia Pty Ltd.
What are some examples of AUST R medicines?
Registered medicines are the higher-risk products that undergo full pre-market evaluation by the TGA for safety, quality and efficacy. They are thoroughly evaluated and labelled with an AUST R number. Approval rests on satisfactory assessments of their quality, efficacy and safety.
What claims can a listed medicine make on its label?
Permitted health claims only, drawn from a pre-approved list, alongside pre-approved ingredients. The TGA assesses at a system level which ingredients are allowed to be used at all, and which wording is allowed to describe what a product does. Sponsors must hold information to substantiate all of their product's claims. Manufacturers also cannot suggest or imply in advertising that being on the ARTG is a recommendation or endorsement by the TGA.
Does the TGA regulate AUST L products?
Yes. AUST L medicines are regulated by the TGA. The Therapeutic Goods Administration regulates all therapeutic goods supplied in Australia. Listed medicines must be on the ARTG, contain only pre-approved ingredients, use only permitted health claims, be manufactured under GMP standards, and face post-market compliance reviews. They are not routinely evaluated before marketing, but they are subject to a random audit after listing.
Why do sunscreens carry an AUST L number?
Because sunscreens sit in the lower-risk listed tier while still meeting a set standard. Sunscreens can be a listed product, yet they must have complied with testing under the Australian standard for sunscreens.
What is AUST L(A), and how is it different from AUST L?
AUST L(A) stands for "Assessed Listed" medicine. Assessed listed medicines make slightly higher-risk health claims than standard listed medicines. They still contain pre-approved ingredients, but their indications are evaluated before market. They may use a "TGA assessed" claim on the label.
Is listing a weaker form of regulation?
Listing is a different level of oversight matched to risk, and these categories reflect different levels of regulatory oversight based on risk. Listed products are considered low risk by the TGA, and companies must be able to demonstrate safety and quality. It simply means the TGA has not evaluated them individually to see if they work. The gap shows up in poor-quality products: Australian researchers found nine out of ten traditional Chinese medicines were adulterated with toxic substances, pharmaceutical drugs and/or animal DNA not listed in the ingredients.
What is the difference between AUST L and AUST R in one sentence?
The L stands for listed and the R stands for registered, and medicines will be either registered or listed in the ARTG. AUST R medicines are assessed for safety, quality and effectiveness, while listed products such as complementary medicines do not have to undergo the same assessments and are labelled with an AUST L number.
Does an AUST L number mean the TGA tested that product to see if it works?
No. An AUST L number confirms the product is on the ARTG as a listed medicine using permitted ingredients and permitted indications, and it does not confirm the finished product was individually tested and proven to work. An AUST L listing is not a TGA endorsement that the specific finished product works. The safety net sits at the level of which ingredients and which words are allowed on any listed label anywhere, not at the level of whether the TGA tested this specific bottle. What it does not confirm is that the TGA individually tested the finished product before it reached a shelf and found that it works.
What if a product has no AUST number at all?
Check the pathway before you buy. The TGA administers various pathways that allow access to medicines not included in the ARTG, considered "unapproved". Medicines accessed under those pathways will not have an AUST R, L or L(A) number on the label. Outside these access pathways, only in extraordinary circumstances will an ARTG medicine leave the AUST number off the label. If a medicine has no AUST number and has not been accessed under one of these pathways, it may have been supplied illegally.
