Field Day music festival will host an onsite drug checking service as part of the NSW drug checking trial, further strengthening harm reduction measures for festivalgoers.
Field Day will be the ninth festival to participate in the 12-month trial, with the festival taking place on Thursday 1 January 2026 at The Domain in Sydney.
The free and anonymous drug checking service allows festival patrons to bring a small sample of substances to be analysed on-site by qualified health staff.
Through rapid evaluation, patrons are provided with information about what was found in the sample, including potency where possible, in line with available technology. They also receive advice on how to reduce risks if they choose to take the substance.
Trained peer workers are available on site to provide tailored guidance about the risks, confidential support and information about additional support services.
While illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, the trial acknowledges the reality of drug use at music festivals.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the service is intended to help people make informed decisions to reduce drug-related harm but is not a guarantee of safety.
"This trial aims to inform individuals about substances, allowing them to avoid dangerous substances, discard high-risk drugs, make safer and more informed choices and potentially avoid serious health risks," Dr Chant said.
"Our priority is to reduce harm and keep people safe."
NSW Health is working closely with Field Day festival organisers and other stakeholders to ensure safe and effective implementation of the trial.
"We welcome the opportunity to host onsite drug checking at Field Day 2026. As a festival that has been running for decades, harm minimisation and safety is at the heart of everything we do," a spokesperson for Field Day music festival said.
"To be amongst the first nine festivals in NSW to offer this to our festival goers is a great step toward state-wide harm minimisation practices with proven results across the globe.
"We're grateful to the volunteers and NSW Health for making this a reality at Field Day."
The NSW drug checking trial will include up to 12 music festivals through to the end of February next year when it will be independently evaluated.
The trial comes after the NSW Government's Drug Summit concluded in December 2024. The Report on the 2024 New South Wales Drug Summit provided a priority action recommending a trial of music festival-based drug testing.
Further information can be found at NSW drug checking trial.
More information for young people around how to keep themselves and their friends safe at music festivals is available on Your Room.
