New kava regulations in Australia

Kava (or ‘kava kava’, ‘waka’, or ‘wati’) is a depressant drug. This means it slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body.¹

Kava comes from a plant called piper methysticum, which is native to the Pacific. It has a long history in the region and is central to many Pacific Islander cultures.¹

Communities have traditionally used kava as a drink for ceremonies and cultural practices. These rituals are said to strengthen ties among groups and help people to communicate with spirits.¹

We also know that Kava can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, enhance mood and improve sleep.^{2, 3} But it may be more effective for relief from short-term or mild anxiety than for people with severe anxiety.⁴

When used with alcohol or some other medications, kava can cause serious side effects like liver damage. This includes kava extracts containing alcohol.^{3, 5}

On its own and in moderation, side effects are usually mild and include cramping and nausea.³

Kava in Australia

Many Pacific Islanders who have settled in Australia have continued drinking kava or using kava extracts.⁵

It was also introduced into some Indigenous communities in the 1980s with the hope of reducing alcohol-related health issues.¹

But, the government banned imports in 2007 after high levels of kava use appeared to be causing other health problems in these communities.^{1, 6}

Given kava’s role in Pacific Islander culture, travellers were initially still allowed to enter Australia carrying up to two kilos per passenger.⁶

That was upped from two to four kilos per passenger in 2019 when the Australian Government stepped up its commitment to the Pacific by launching a kava pilot program.⁷

Now what’s changing?

The second phase of the pilot kicked off in December 2021, allowing companies to apply to import kava products into Australia.^{7, 8}

Kava tablets are now being sold and drinking kava will soon be available at supermarkets and other retailers.^{8, 9}

Some Pacific Islander community members and leaders in Australia have voiced their support for the pilot program, believing that access to kava is about connection to culture.¹⁰

Kava is also one of the most valuable crops in the Pacific, so it’s an economic opportunity for many Pacific-based companies and growers.¹⁰

To import kava, companies need to prove their products meet Australia’s national food standards.¹⁰

State and territory governments will still get the final say on kava however, including whether it can be bought or sold in their states and territories.¹⁰

For now, it is still illegal to import or sell kava in the Northern Territory.⁹