Anti-Doping Rules: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
» FAQs about ASADA
What is ASADA?
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is a government statutory authority that is Australia's driving force for Pure Performance in Sport.
ASADA's mission is to protect Australia's sporting integrity through the elimination of doping.
To achieve its mission ASADA focuses on three key themes - to deter, detect, and enforce:
- ASADA deters prohibited doping practices in sport via education, doping control (testing), advocacy and the coordination of Australia's anti-doping program;
- ASADA detects a breach of a sport's anti-doping policy via its doping control (testing) and investigation programs; and
- ASADA enforces any breach of a policy by ensuring those violating anti-doping rules are prosecuted and sanctioned.
ASADA's head office is in Canberra. It operates under strict corporate governance guidelines and reports to the Minister for Sport.
» FAQs about Anti-Doping Policy
What is an Anti-Doping Policy?
Each sporting organisation is required to have an anti-doping policy, in order for them to meet the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The anti-doping policy will be a part of the rules and regulations of a sport.
Sporting organisation should make their policy available to all athletes and support persons required to abide by the rules of that sport. Athletes and support persons should familiarise themselves with their sport's policy and be aware of any other requirements of their sport that they must comply with.
» FAQs about the World Anti-Doping Code
What is the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code)?
The Code is the international agreement harmonising anti-doping rules across all sports and all nations.
The Code promotes commitment, consistency and co-ordination by all anti-doping stakeholders.
» FAQs about Substances
Where can I find my sport’s list of prohibited substances?
Each National Sporting Organisation has an anti-doping policy that refers to a list of prohibited substances.
Most sports reference the Code's Prohibited List. The Prohibited List an international standard developed and maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Prohibited List is reviewed annually and changes normally come into affect in January each year. Further information on the Prohibited List is available on the ASADA website.
What medications or substances am I allowed to use?
There are a number of ways you can check if a medication or substance is permitted in sport:
- The ASADA Hotline on 1800 020 506 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM AEST 7 days a week. The ASADA Hotline provides sport specific information regarding the status of medications and substances in sport.
- The ASADA Anti-Doping Information Handbook is a useful hard-copy anti-doping reference that includes details regarding the status of medications and substances in sport.
- The ASADA On-Line Medications List, provides details of medications that are permitted, prohibited and subject to certain conditions. The ASADA On-line Medications List is available on the ASADA website.
Note: The Anti-Doping Information Handbook and On-line Medications List do not provide information specific to individual sports' anti-doping policies. Please contact the Hotline for sport specific information.
How long does it take for a substance to leave my body’s system?
ASADA does not provide information regarding clearance times of substances. There are many factors that can influence clearance rates, such as age, gender, diet and individual metabolic rates. Contact a doctor for information on clearance times or a drug and alcohol counselling service for further advice.
What are the drug and alcohol counselling service contacts for my region?
ACT
Community Health Intake
Ph: 02 6205 4545
NSW
Alcohol and Drug Information Service
Ph: 02 9361 8000 or 1800 422 599 - Toll free for regional callers
VIC
Directline
Ph: 03 9418 1011 or 1800 888 236 - Toll free for regional callers
QLD
Drug and Alcohol Information Centre
Ph: 07 3236 2414 or 1800 177 833 - Toll free for regional callers
SA
Alcohol Drug and Information Service or SAVIVE
Ph: 08 8274 3333 or 1300 131 340 - Toll free for regional callers
Ph: 08 8362 9299
WA
Alcohol and Drug Information Service of Western Australia
Ph: 08 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 - Toll free for regional callers
NT
AMITY Community Services
Ph: 08 8981 8030 or 08 8981 7516 or 1800 629 683 - Toll free for regional callers
TAS
Alcohol and Drug Service
Ph: 03 6230 7901 (South Office) or 03 6336 55 77 (North Office) or 1800 811 994 - Toll free for regional callers
Why can’t ASADA tell me if a supplement is permitted?
ASADA cannot determine the status of supplement products in sport. Due to their multi-ingredient nature, supplements are considered to present more risk to athletes than registered pharmaceutical products - therefore ASADA is unable to accurately determine the status of any supplement product in sport.
Further information on supplements is on the ASADA website.
What types of performance enhancing drugs are most commonly used?
Different performance enhancing drugs will benefit different sports.
For example an athlete in a sport requiring strength may select a different performance-enhancing drug than an endurance athlete.
The ASADA website contains further details on prohibited substances and methods.
ASADA publishes the details of athletes that have been entered onto its Register of Findings.
This Register provides the details of Anti-Doping Rules Violations, including the substances that athletes have returned an adverse analytical finding for under ASADA's national doping control program.
This Register is available in the ASADA annual report section and provides an insight into the types of prohibited substances and methods detected by ASADA's doping control program.
How can something be banned if it is not listed specifically on the Prohibited List?
The Code’s Prohibited List includes categories and specific substances that are prohibited in sport. A product that is not specifically mentioned on the List could still be prohibited as the product may be part of a category of prohibited substances, the product may be chemically similar to other substances on the List or it may include derivatives of a prohibited substance.
What are ‘designer’ steroids?
Designer steroids are manufactured substances designed to illicitly enhance elite sports performance. Designer steroids are manipulated in order to avoid detection in analysis. An example of a designer steroid is Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).
The use of designer steroids is prohibited in sport.
What is EPO?
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a peptide hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. EPO is released from the kidneys and acts on the bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. An increase in red blood cells improves the amount of oxygen the blood can carry to the body’s muscles. It may also increase the body’s capacity to buffer lactic acid.
The use of EPO as a performance-enhancing product is prohibited in sport. EPO is detectable via ASADA’s doping control (testing) program.
» FAQs about Doping Control
What's the difference between out-of-competition and in-competition testing?
The Code defines in-competition and out of competition testing as:
In-competition: a test where an athlete is selected for testing in connection with a specific competition.
Out-of-Competition: any test, which is not in-competition.
Who is required to do a test?
Any athlete selected for doping control (test) will be required to provide a sample. In accordance with the ASADA legislation, ASADA is able to request a sample from any athlete who meets the definition of athlete under the National Anti-Doping Scheme. Please refer to the ASADA legislation for the definition of an athlete.
Out-of -Competition testing : all athletes entered onto ASADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are eligible for testing. National Sporting Organisations provide details of all athletes to ASADA who should be included in their Registered Testing Pool (RTP). When an athlete is entered onto the RTP they will be notified in writing by ASADA of their inclusion and the requirements of being in the RTP.
In-competition testing : Any athlete competing at a competition subject to doping control could be selected to provide a sample.
How are athletes selected for a test?
In order to select athletes to provide a sample, ASADA uses methods outlined in the Code’s International Standard for Testing.
These methods include:
- Targeted testing based on intelligence
- Weighted testing based on athlete ranking
- Random selection.
The random selection procedures used for in-competition testing may involve athletes being selected through a process involving final placing or through the drawing of competitor numbers.
At ASADA, the selection of athletes for out-of-competition testing can be determined by random draw, weighted draw or by direct targeting.
Can athletes under the age of under 18 years be tested?
Yes – an athlete under the age of 18 can be tested.
Out-of-competition testing: all athletes (regardless of age) entered onto ASADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are eligible for testing. National Sporting Organisations provide details to ASADA of all athletes who should be included in their RTP. When an athlete is entered onto the RTP they will be notified by ASADA.
In-competition testing: Any athlete (regardless of age) competing at an event subject to doping control could be selected for a drug test. Sporting Organisations should inform athletes competing at events where doping control may be conducted that they may be subject to testing.
If an athlete under 18 years of age is selected to provide a sample:
- The Doping Control Officer will notify the athletes representative* of the athletes selection and explain the athletes rights and responsibilities to this person
- The athlete can request their representative be in the toilet cubicle during the passing of the sample, however the representative will not witness the passing of the sample
- The athlete can request that their representative be explained the Doping Control Form
- The athlete must be accompanied for the signing of the Doping Control Form. The athlete’s representative will also be requested to sign the doping control form.
*A representative may include the athlete’s parent, guardian, coach, manager, representative of sporting body or an adult requested by the athlete.
Do I have to do provide a sample?
Yes – if you have been notified that you have you been selected for doping control you are required to provide a sample. If you do not provide a sample it is considered to be a Failure To Comply (FTC), which is an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
Under the Code, an FTC is defined as:
- Refusing, or failing without compelling justification, to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorised in applicable anti-doping rules or otherwise evading Sample collection.
Why does someone need to witness sample collection?
A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or Chaperone will witness sample collection to ensure that the sample has not been tampered with in any way, and that the sample being collected is from the same person that was requested to provide a sample and has signed the doping control forms.
The Code’s International Standard for Testing requires that a DCO or chaperone witness the sample leaving the athletes body and record the witnessing of that sample in writing.
For collection of urine samples the DCO or chaperone witnessing the provision of the sample will be the same gender as the athlete.
Where does ASADA have its samples analysed?
All ASADA sample analysis is conducted at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory. In Australia, the National Measurement Institute analyses urine and blood samples collected by ASADA.
What substances are tested for?
Samples are analysed in accordance with the list of prohibited substances referred to in each sport’s Anti-Doping Policy. Most sports refer to the Code's Prohibited List.
How long until I get the results of my test back?
It takes between three to six weeks for results of doping control to be released.
How many tests does ASADA conduct per year?
Information on testing statistics for previous years is available via ASADA media releases and annual reports.
How many athletes return adverse analytical findings?
For information on Australian statistics please refer to the testing statistics section of the ASADA website.
Are athletes or support persons named publicly by ASADA after committing an Anti-Doping Rule Violation?
ASADA can publicly release the name of athletes or support persons once the tribunal hearing process is complete or where the athlete or support person has consented to the release of that information or where it is in the public interest to do so.
In most cases information will not be released until the tribunal process is complete. The athlete or support person’s details will be included on ASADA’s Register of Findings.
Why are some sports, that have a low risk of doping, subject to doping control?
Each sport that receives government funding is required to have an anti-doping program. The government provides funding to an array of National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) not just those that compete in the Olympic Games.
Sports that receive government funding and its athletes compete at elite levels must have an anti-doping policy and anti-doping program.
Do overseas athletes get tested as much as Australian athletes?
All athletes are subject to doping control by their National Anti-Doping Organisation and International Federation. The World Anti-Doping Agency also implements its own worldwide out-of-competition testing program.
Visit other anti-doping organisations' websites to view their testing statistics.
» FAQs about Athlete Whereabouts
Who is required to submit Athlete Whereabouts Information?
Athletes, who have been notified by ASADA in writing of inclusion in ASADA's Registered Testing Pool, are required to provide quarterly Athlete Whereabouts Information.
What information do I have to give?
Athletes are required to provide and/or maintain address and contact information in addition to one (1) location per calendar day where they nominate to be available for Out-of-Competition sample collection and the start time of the one (1) hour that they will be at that location.
Athletes must provide a location and start time for every day of their quarterly calendar and ensure that they have completed all mandatory fields of information.
What do I do if my Athlete Whereabouts Information changes?
Athletes must keep their Athletes Whereabouts Information up to date. Updates can be made via:
What happens if I am not at the location I said I would be on my Athletes Whereabouts Form?
You may receive written notice from ASADA for failing to be located for a sample after being requested to provide your location (also known as a Missed Test). For more information refer to Consequences of non-compliance.
I am no longer competing - what should I do?
If you have decided to retire from competition you will need to complete the ASADA Retirement Notification Form (available from Home » Resources » Forms) and submit the form directly to ASADA.
It is important athletes wishing to retire are aware of their sports reinstatement provisions. Athletes who no longer wish to compete without retiring or who wish to retire without completing the Retirement Notification Form may still be included in ASADA's Registered Testing Pool and subject to Athlete Whereabouts Information requirements.
Completed ASADA Retirement Notification Forms can be sent by mail or fax to:
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
Mail: PO Box 345, Curtin ACT 2605
Fax: (02) 6222 4201 (International +61 2 6222 4201).
» FAQs about Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
What are TUEs and how can I apply for one?
TUEs are required by athletes that need to use a prohibited substance for a legitimate medical reason. A standard TUE is required for the use of any prohibited medication, other than an inhaled asthma medication and certain non-systemic glucocorticosteroid products.
An athlete should ensure their sport recognises the therapeutic use of a prohibited substance. Further information regarding TUEs can be obtained from the ASADA website or via the ASADA Hotline 1800 020 506 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM AEST 7 days a week.
A standard TUE form is available from the Australian Sports Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) website. Once completed this form should be returned to ASDMAC.
What is an ATUE and where do I get the form?
Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ATUEs), allow the legitimate use of inhaled asthma medications and certain non-systemic glucocorticosteroid products.
Further information regarding Abbreviated TUEs can be obtained from the ASADA website, or by calling the ASADA Hotline 1800 020 506 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM AEST 7 days a week.
An ATUE form is available on the ASADA website. Once completed the ATUE form should be returned to the athletes relevant National Sporting Organisation.
» FAQs about education services
Why do ASADA’s On-Line Medication Information List and Handbook not list specific prohibited ingredients?
The ASADA On-Line Medications List provides a list of Australian medications and their status in sport. This list is updated quarterly.
The ASADA Anti-Doping Information Handbook provides details of medications that are permitted, subject to certain conditions or prohibited.
If the product you are checking, is not listed in the handbook or on-line list:
- It may be an overseas product
- It may be a new product
- You may be using incorrect spelling
- You may be searching by a generic product name and not the brand name (this list contains brand names and not generic product names i.e. ingredients).
The ASADA Anti-Doping Information Handbook and On-Line Medications List do not provide sport specific information. Please contact the ASADA Hotline 1800 020 506 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM AEST 7 days a week for sport specific information.
How can I buy an Anti-Doping Information Handbook?
Purchase the ASADA Anti-Doping Information Handbook via:
- The ASADA Hotline 1800 020 506 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM AEST 7 days a week – orders with a credit card payment can be processed.
- Written request, with credit card details, cheque or money order to ASADA, PO Box 345, Curtin ACT 2605 or fax: +61 (0)2 6222 4201 or email: asada@asada.gov.au
The ASADA Anti-Doping Information Handbook costs $9.45 (postage and handling included).
Cheques should be made out to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority or ASADA.
I need help with a drugs in sport assignment for school. Where can I find anti-doping information?
The ASADA website includes a range of information relevant to student and media needs.
Testing statistics are available on the ASADA website. Detailed breakdowns of testing statistics are provided in ASADA’s annual reports.
Prohibited Substances : Refer to the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List, or for sport specific information contact the relevant National Sporting Organisation.
The World Anti-Doping Agency website also contains valuable anti-doping information.
The ASADA website also provides other Anti-Doping Links.
Note that ASADA is not able to offer personal assistance to students with their studies.
This page last updated
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Copyright © 2008, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)
