Australia’s Trusted Provider of Cannabis & Medical Marijuana Vault Systems

The legalisation and rapid growth of the medical cannabis industry in Australia has created a critical demand for compliant, high-security storage vaults and vault doors. Cannabis is classified as a Schedule 8 controlled drug, meaning it must be stored under the same strict security requirements as opioids and other high-risk pharmaceuticals.

At Safeguard Safes & Vaults, we are Australia’s leading supplier of Schedule 8 compliant cannabis vaults and vault doors for cultivation sites, licensed manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, dispensaries, and logistics companies. Since the inception of medical cannabis regulation in Australia, we have delivered AS/NZS 3809:1998 certified vault systems that keep our clients fully compliant with state, federal, and international standards.

Why Schedule 8 Compliance is Critical for Cannabis Facilities

Medical cannabis is regulated under Schedule 8 of the Australian Poisons Standard. This means all cannabis storage must comply with AS/NZS 3809:1998 – Safes and Strongrooms, the mandatory Australian Standard for high-security storage of controlled substances.

AS/NZS 3809:1998 explained:

  • This standard specifies the design, construction, burglary resistance, and testing requirements for safes, strongrooms, and vaults in Australia and New Zealand.
  • It ensures that a vault or strongroom has been independently tested and certified to resist attack, tampering, and forced entry to defined grades.
  • For medical cannabis operators, this is the only recognised benchmark for vault compliance under Australian law.

Schedule 8 compliance is not optional — it is a legal obligation. Every operator is accountable for ensuring their cannabis vault doors and vaults are designed, tested, and certified against AS/NZS 3809:1998, and in some cases UL 608 Class 2 or 3 for alignment with DEA (USA) and Health Canada requirements.

Who Requires Cannabis Vaults?

Every organisation involved in the cannabis supply chain must comply with AS/NZS 3809:1998 secure storage requirements:

  • Growers & cultivation facilities – bulk cannabis must be secured immediately after harvest in a compliant strongroom.
  • Licensed manufacturers – oils, extracts, and packaged medical cannabis must be stored in certified vaults.
  • Distributors & wholesalers – central warehousing facilities need scalable AS/NZS 3809-compliant vaults for bulk shipments.
  • Dispensaries & pharmacies – point-of-sale vaults for patient prescriptions must meet Schedule 8 security specifications.
  • Approved freight carriers & 3PL logistics providers – fixed or mobile vaults are required for storage-in-transit compliance.
  • Research laboratories – compliant vaults are mandatory for cannabis held during clinical trials or medical research.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to meet AS/NZS 3809:1998 requirements for Schedule 8 cannabis storage can lead to:

  • Loss of cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing licence.
  • Heavy fines from regulators.
  • Criminal liability for directors, managers, and employees.
  • Reputational damage and legal exposure for investors and stakeholders.

The Australian Government is tightening enforcement, actively auditing cannabis operators and prosecuting rogue businesses using non-certified vaults. Only vaults that are independently tested, documented, and certified to AS/NZS 3809:1998 will pass inspection.

Safeguard has been at the forefront of this compliance requirement since cannabis was first legalised for medical use in Australia, ensuring our clients avoid enforcement risk and maintain secure operations.

Vault Options for the Cannabis Industry

Each sector of the cannabis industry requires tailored storage solutions that comply with AS/NZS 3809:1998 while supporting day-to-day operational needs. Safeguard designs and delivers vault systems engineered to the exact requirements of growers, distributors, dispensaries, and logistics providers.

Cultivation & Grow Facility Vaults

Harvested cannabis must be securely stored immediately. Our bulk storage vaults, certified to AS/NZS 3809:1998, are built for high-volume containment and can be installed inside cultivation facilities or adjacent warehouses. They feature custom racking systems for raw cannabis, environmental protections, and full audit capability.

Distribution Centre Vaults

Wholesalers manage some of the largest cannabis inventories in the industry. Our scalable modular vaults, tested to AS/NZS 3809:1998, provide expandable storage capacity, integrated shelving and pallet systems, and secure loading areas to streamline distribution while maintaining compliance.

Dispensary & Pharmacy Vaults

At the point of sale, cannabis must remain secure until prescribed. Safeguard provides pharmacy-grade vaults and strongrooms, fitted with SCEC-endorsed, ASIO-T4 approved vault doors. Fully compliant with AS/NZS 3809:1998, these solutions balance regulatory requirements with daily staff accessibility.

3PL & Freight Handling Vaults

Transport and logistics companies must maintain secure cannabis custody at all times. Safeguard supplies both mobile containerised vaults and permanent modular vaults, each certified to AS/NZS 3809:1998 and, where required, UL 608 Class 2 or 3 for international transport standards.

MicroVaults for Small-Volume Operations

Smaller operators — pharmacies, research labs, boutique growers — may not need a large strongroom. Safeguard’s MicroVaults provide compact, fully AS/NZS 3809:1998-compliant storage at lower cost, with options to scale up as operations grow.

Advanced Security Integration

All vaults can be fitted with:

  • Custom racks and shelving designed for cannabis.
  • Biometric or card access control for restricted user entry.
  • Full audit trail reporting to satisfy Health Department inspections.
  • Integrated CCTV and alarm monitoring for 24/7 security assurance.

Cash & Cannabis – Dual Security Needs

Because the cannabis sector is often cash-heavy, operators must secure not only cannabis stock but also large volumes of currency. Safeguard provides dual-compliance vaults that meet AS/NZS 3809:1998 Schedule 8 requirements while also protecting cash against burglary and armed robbery.

Why Choose Safeguard for Cannabis Vaults?

  • Over 35 years’ experience in the safe & vault industry.
  • Supplier of AS/NZS 3809:1998-certified cannabis vaults since the industry began in Australia.
  • Schedule 8 compliant vaults trusted by growers, distributors, and dispensaries nationwide.
  • Access to UL 608 Class 2 & 3 vaults via global manufacturing partnerships.
  • Turnkey project management: design → manufacture → supply → installation → certification.
  • Modular vaults that are scalable and relocatable as your business grows.

Act Now – Compliance is Tightening

The Australian medical cannabis sector faces increasingly strict enforcement. Regulators are auditing facilities and issuing penalties to businesses that use non-certified or non-AS/NZS 3809:1998-compliant vaults.

To protect your business, your licence, and your reputation, ensure you install only vaults and vault doors certified to AS/NZS 3809:1998. Safeguard ensures your facility is secure, certified, and audit-ready.

Contact Safeguard Safes & Vaults Today

Whether you are a grower, licensed manufacturer, distributor, dispensary, or logistics provider, Safeguard has the expertise and certified vault systems to keep your cannabis operations Schedule 8 compliant.

 Call us today on 1300 764 971 or enquire online to speak with a cannabis vault specialist.

Safeguard Safes & Vaults – Australia’s leader in AS/NZS 3809:1998-compliant cannabis vaults, vault doors, and Schedule 8 secure storage systems.

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