Author: Kristina Kothrakis
Practice area: Drug offences
Kristina is a Director at Doogue + George and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with over 18 years of criminal defence experience. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Kristina authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.
What is the offence of Possession of Precursor Chemicals?
This offence concerns unlawfully possessing a precursor chemical that could be used to make a drug of dependence, unless there is a lawful excuse. It is an offence under section 71D of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic).
Key points
- Elements: Possessing a prescribed quantity of a chemical without lawful excuse, where the chemical is a prescribed precursor chemical.
- Common scenarios: Chemicals kept in a garage, stored in an unused toilet block, or found in the boot of a car.
- Court level: Magistrates’ Court and County Court.
The maximum penalty for Possession of Precursor Chemicals is a fine of 600 penalty units ($125,460.00 as at 2026–27) or 5 years imprisonment.
Common defences may include the seized substance was not a prescribed precursor chemical; factual disputes about where/when materials were seized; disputes as to intention to possess.
It is important to seek legal advice if you are charged with this offence.
Police Interview
Drug offences are taken seriously by police and they will likely interview you if you are charged with this offence. You should go into a police interview prepared and with a good knowledge of your rights. We can assist you with your police interview, talk you through the process and any questions you might have.
Pleading Not Guilty
If you want to plead not guilty to this charge you should engage a lawyer who can go through the evidence with you and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution case. We deal with serious drug charges regularly and can assist you if you are charged with this offence. We can also help you work out if you can establish any defences such as whether you have a legitimate reason for having the precursor chemical.
Pleading Guilty
Where there is strong evidence against you, you may decide to plead guilty to this charge. It is important that a lawyer assists you with a plea. We look at all your material when we put together a plea submission including obtaining character references, any medical reports and importantly, telling the court your story, which all assist in helping you achieve a fair sentence.
Sentencing
Sentencing in the higher courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) s 71D — 49 charges, higher courts, 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2024.
| Outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 71.4% |
| Community Correction Order | 16.3% |
| Fine | 6.1% |
| Other | 4.1% |
| Youth Justice Centre Order | 2.0% |
The statistics indicate that there is a significant chance of imprisonment when this offence is dealt with in the higher courts. However, the final sentence will depend on the specific facts of the case, including the type and quantity of chemical involved and the surrounding circumstances of the offending.
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) s 71D — 437 charges across 432 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.
| Outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Fine | 30.2% |
| Community Correction Order | 27.0% |
| Adjourned Undertaking | 21.1% |
| Imprisonment | 15.6% |
| Discharge/Dismissal | 5.5% |
| Other | 0.7% |
These figures indicate that although there is a real possibility of imprisonment, courts often impose community-based penalties or financial sanctions. The outcome will depend on the circumstances of the offence, including the quantity involved, the purpose of possession and the offender’s background.
Which court will the case be heard in?
This offence is dealt with in the Magistrates’ and County Courts.
Examples of Possession of Precursor Chemicals
- A person having precursor chemicals in their garage
- A person storing precursor chemicals in an unused toilet block
- A person found with precursor chemicals in the boot of their car
What is the legal definition of Possession of Precursor Chemicals?
Possession
The Prosecution must demonstrate that the accused intentionally had the chemical in his/her custody, or under his or her control.1
Legislation
This offence can be found on s 71D of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (the Act).
Elements of the Offence
To prove this offence the Prosecution must show that (1) the accused possessed a prescribed quantity of a chemical without lawful excuse and (2) that chemical was a prescribed precursor chemical.
Can the Prosecution prove that the chemicals were used to manufacture illicit drugs?
Defences
Defences to this charge can be:
- The substance that the Police have seized was not a prescribed precursor chemical;
- Factual disputes about where and when materials were seized;
- Disputes as to intention to possess.
You should ring us and discuss your case if you have been charged. Deciding on whether to plead guilty or not has important implications for you and should be made after proper discussions with a criminal lawyer.
Questions in cases like this
- Was there another reason for storing the chemical?
- Is there any evidence that the chemicals were used to produce an illicit drug?
- Can the Prosecution prove ‘possession’?
Maximum penalty for section 71D of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
The maximum penalty for Possession of Precursor Chemicals (s71D of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981) is a fine of 600 penalty units ($125,460.00 as at 2026–27) or 5 years imprisonment.
Other important resources
- SACStat Higher Courts – Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic): s 71D – possess a precursor chemical
- VCC summaries – possession of precursor chemical: Sentencing decisions from 1 January 2016 to 31 May 2018, arranged by severity of total effective sentence
Case studies related to the charge of Possession of precursor chemicals:
FAQ About Possession of Precursor Chemicals
Do police usually interview you about this type of charge?
What does “possession” mean for this offence?
Are there common “lawful excuse” issues in these cases?
Do police need evidence the chemicals were actually used to make illicit drugs?
What are common examples of how this charge arises?
[1] He Kaw Teh v R (1985) 157 CLR 523; R v Maio [1989] VR 281.
