Monitoring and evaluation of the kava importation pilot

Monitoring and evaluation of the kava importation pilot

On 11 October 2019, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, announced the Australian Government was stepping up its commitment to the Pacific by launching the kava pilot program. The pilot involves the relaxation of kava-related prohibited import regulations to allow Australians more access to kava and its benefits. The pilot also supports broader efforts under the Pacific Step-up strategy to increase stronger cultural and economic ties between Australia and Pacific Island nations.

The pilot consists of two phases:

  • Phase 1: Increasing the amount of kava for personal importation: this phase allows passengers coming into Australia to bring up to four kilograms of kava for personal use. This is double the quantity that was previously allowed and was implemented in December 2019.
  • Phase 2: Allowing the commercial importation of kava: this phase of the pilot will allow the commercial importation of unlimited amounts of kava into Australia for non-medicinal purposes, in addition to the medicinal and therapeutic purposes currently allowed under permit. Both phases of the pilot will run until the end of 2022.

The Government’s decision on future kava importation requirements will be informed by the monitoring and evaluation conducted throughout the pilot and a final evaluation report at the conclusion of the pilot. The Department of Health is coordinating the pilot on behalf of the Government and has contracted the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) to undertake the Monitoring and Evaluation of the pilot. Ninti One has been sub-contracted by NDARC as a co-design partner in the Project, with a key focus on stakeholder engagement and the collection of baseline and follow-up data from Aboriginal communities. This project commenced in 2021 and will conclude at June 2023.