The pharmacy profession commences work on reviewing the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia
4 March 2026
The Pharmacy profession has commenced work on reviewing and updating the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia. This review is critical to modernising the standards that underpin safe, ethical, and effective pharmacist practice, describing the integrated knowledge, skills, and attributes required across a pharmacist’s career.
The review of the National Competency Standards Framework has been commissioned by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), through the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Last reviewed in 2016, this project comes at a critical time, with rapid changes in the health landscape, including evolving scope of practice, advances in digital health and technology, and an increasing focus on sustainable healthcare.
The Review’s Project Advisory Group Chair, Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS, reflected on the importance of the competency standards for the profession:
“This review is timely and considers contemporary pharmacy practice and the evolving needs of the profession to serve our patients, communities, and health system. As pharmacists’ scope of practice continues to evolve, the revised framework reflects the professional expectations of modern pharmacy practice,” she said.
“The profession owns the Competency Standards, and the Competency Standards exist to serve the profession. We look forward to working closely with relevant stakeholders, including all pharmacy organisations, pharmacists across all areas of practice and consumer bodies, to ensure pharmacists remain supported in maintaining competence, planning meaningful CPD, and continuing their professional development throughout their careers.
“I’m delighted to have chaired the first Program Advisory Group kick-off meeting, bringing together a diverse, experienced and engaged representation of pharmacists, educators, students, researchers, First Nations, and consumer organisations. I strongly encourage all pharmacists to complete the survey and take an active step to influence the revision of our Competency Standards.”
As the project commences, PSA has launched a survey to inform the project. Pharmacists and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate by completing the survey and visiting the microsite. Feedback from this survey will inform the development of the first draft of the review. The survey will remain open until 17 April 2026.
The link to the National Competency Standards Framework review is available here.
Media contact: Leah Jacobsen
M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.
