A coronial inquest begins in New South Wales today into the deaths of seven young people at music festivals across the state.

It comes as many states and territories grapple with the question of whether to bring in pill testing at festivals.

So far, only the ACT has done so, with trials at the last two Groovin the Moo festivals.

Advocates hope this inquest in New South Wales will recommend legalising pill testing, so users can be better informed about the drug they're about to use.

Among doctors and scientific specialists there's no consensus on whether this should go ahead, or how.

