Thousands of autistic and neurodivergent children in Australia can’t access the melatonin gummies and liquids they need. The government’s ban has left families exhausted, excluded, and forced into unaffordable prescriptions. Sleep is a right, not a privilege — let’s bring back safe, affordable options now! 

Sleep is not a luxury — it’s a basic human need. Yet right now, thousands upon thousands of Australian families of autistic and neurodivergent children are being pushed into crisis because the government has banned the sale of melatonin from overseas providers like iHerb and Amazon - where this was actually affordable. 

This decision has left families with only one option: expensive prescriptions for pharmaceutical-grade melatonin in pill form.

The problem?

1. Cost: Prescription melatonin in Australia can cost families upwards of $90–$120 per month. For many, this is unaffordable.
2. Form: Most children, especially autistic children and those with ADHD or sensory sensitivities, cannot swallow tablets. They need liquid or gummy forms — which are no longer available.
3. Access: Families must now go through lengthy and costly doctor visits to obtain a script, adding to the barriers.
4. This is yet another financial barrier for everyday Australians living with the rising costs of living pressures - not to mention this comes right after we find out our kids are suddenly no longer getting access to NDIS plans. 

Why Melatonin Matters

Melatonin is not a drug in the traditional sense — it’s a naturally occurring hormone that our bodies already produce to regulate sleep. The versions sold as supplements in other countries (gummies, chewables, drops) are widely recognised as safe, effective, and non-addictive when used responsibly.

The science is clear:

Studies consistently show melatonin helps children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and improve their quality of life.
Melatonin has one of the safest profiles of any sleep aid. Side effects are rare and mild, especially compared to the risks of sleep deprivation.

The Human Cost of the Ban

For families raising neurodivergent children, sleep issues are not just “a phase.” They are chronic, exhausting, and life-altering. Parents are running on empty, children are struggling to function at school, and siblings are affected too.

The ban has effectively excluded people with disability from accessing something that supports health, wellbeing, and daily life. It forces families into an impossible choice: pay unaffordable prices for tablets their children can’t take, or go without.

This is not equity. This is not inclusion. This is discrimination.

 

What We’re Asking:

We call on the Australian Government, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and relevant health ministers to:

• Reintroduce access to melatonin in liquid and gummy forms through safe, regulated local supply.
• Make melatonin affordable by ensuring these forms are available over-the-counter at reasonable prices, like in many other countries.
• Recognise the unique needs of children with disability by consulting with families, neurodivergent advocates, and medical professionals when making policy decisions that affect our lives.

Every Person Deserves Sleep!

Neurodivergent people already face barriers in nearly every aspect of life — education, healthcare, inclusion. Access to a safe, natural, and effective sleep support should not be one more barrier.

We need a compassionate, evidence-based policy that supports Australian families, not one that punishes them.

Please sign and share this petition.

Together, we can demand that melatonin gummies and liquids be made available and affordable for the children who need them most.