About NSW Poisons Information Centre
The NSW Poisons Information Centre helpline is available 24/7 on 13 11 26 for families, the public, and healthcare workers.
We provide high quality, updated poisons information and risk assessment advice.
Our team includes specialists in poisons information (predominantly pharmacists) with postgraduate training in clinical toxicology and poisons information. They provide expert advice to help treat people who are poisoned.
Our centre liaises with poisons centres from around Australia and the world in maintaining education, training and toxicovigilance.
We also identify poisoning trends and products causing poisonings in the community, while working with the relevant authorities to reduce risk to the community.
The NSW Poisons Information Centre is based at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Contact us
Poisons helpline: 13 11 26
Our service is for humans only. Please refer to the Animal Australian Poisons Helpline on 1300 TOX PET (1300 869 738) or your veterinarian for any animal enquiries.
Media requests: Contact our Public Relations team
Use of our phone number
Before adding the Poisons Information Centre number on your products or Safety Data Sheets, you must inform the National Poisons Register.
Please email SLHD-NPR-Products@health.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9515 1267.
Top substances we received calls for in 2024
1) Paracetamol
2) Ibuprofen
3) Ethanol (beverage)
4) Quetiapine
5) Diazepam
Our collaborations
Our centre is an accredited training site for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine.
Some of our collaborators include:
- The 5 clinical/medical toxicology services based in NSW teaching hospitals
- NSW Ministry of Health
- Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs
- NSW Forensic and Analytical Scientific Services
- research groups at leading NSW Universities
- various federal agencies.
For clinical collaboration and research enquiries, please contact nswpoisons@health.nsw.gov.au.
Our history
The NSW Poisons Information Centre was established in 1966, originally as an office-hours service which was extended to a service from 6 am until midnight.
After-hours calls were taken by medical house staff within the Children's Hospital at Camperdown.
In 1987, NSW Health agreed to provide a 24-hour service which included after hours national coverage.