Drug checking returns to selected NSW music festivals
01 Oct 2026
Drug checking returns to selected NSW music festivals
The NSW Government has committed $4.3 million to continue the service, with Knockout Outdoor on Saturday set to be the first participating festival over the October long weekend.
NSW Health will work with festival organisers and harm reduction groups to select up to 15 events each year where the service is expected to provide the greatest public health benefit.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said drug checking is designed to give festivalgoers more information about substances they may be considering taking.
However, illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, and drug checking does not remove the risks linked to using them.
The service is one part of a wider harm reduction approach at participating festivals. Other measures at Knockout Outdoor will include medical support, peer workers providing harm reduction information, chill-out areas and free drinking water.
The decision to continue the program follows an earlier trial and independent evaluation. During the trial, more than 1,800 people used drug checking services across 12 festivals, with about 1,500 samples analysed.
Future participating festivals will be selected using factors such as the size and type of event, its location and characteristics linked with a greater risk of drug-related harm.
NSW Health will provide the service in partnership with NUAA and the music festival industry.
Festival attendees can choose to provide a small drug sample for on-site testing. Forensic chemists from NSW Health Pathology analyse the sample.
After testing, trained NUAA peer workers explain the results and provide harm reduction information. This gives the person an opportunity to consider the information before making a decision about their health.
People who decide they do not want to keep their drugs will also be able to dispose of them safely in amnesty bins located within the drug checking area.
Drug checking returns to selected NSW music festivals
Source: NSW Government, NSW Health, 1 October 2026.