2025 Federal Election Hub
This election, PSA is advocating for policy reform that supports pharmacists to be able practise to their full scope, underpinned by adequate levels of support for professional practice, education and training.
PSA’s election platform outlines clear, tangible steps toward better integrating pharmacists into primary care, reducing medicine-related harm, and ensuring all Australians can access safe, timely healthcare when and where they need it.
Overview of PSA’s election priorities
Practice
Funding for measures committed to by government which are designed to enhance the professional practice, education and training of pharmacists.
Upskilling
Fund education courses for pharmacists in primary care to undertake full scope-of-practice training
PBS access
Permit pharmacists to prescribe PBS medicines within their scope of practice
Reducing harm
Establish and implement a national incident logging and pharmacovigilance system
HMR services
Remove service provider caps for HMRs, index service fees annually, and increase flexibility in the location of the review, reinstating telehealth options.
Aged care
Increase remuneration of ACOPs to attract skilled and experienced credentialed pharmacists to the role
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Permanently fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Services to employ pharmacists under the IPAC project, as endorsed by MSAC.
General Practice
Double the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) funding to support the employment of on-site pharmacists in general practice
Why this election matters
In every corner of our health system, pharmacists are stepping up. We are supporting our communities, filling critical gaps in healthcare, and delivering more services than ever before.
From vaccinations to medication reviews, chronic disease management to aged care, not to mention the irreplaceable role of pharmacists in ensuring access to essential medicines – we are evolving to meet the needs of patients and the growing pressures on Australia’s health system.
A number of government reviews and reports have made recommendations to better utilise pharmacists to improve patient care and safer use of medicines. Now is the time for action – to translate these recommendations into tangible reform, starting with investment in the pharmacist workforce.
Help us advocate for our profession this election
Advocacy doesn’t just happen at the national level. It requires all of us, at a grassroots level, to get involved and have our voices heard.
PSA has developed the tips and resources below to help you engage with your local politicians and candidates this Federal Election.
Find your local candidates via Build A Ballot.
If you’d like any further assistance, please reach out to georgia.clarke@psa.org.au who will be happy to assist.
Write a campaign letter
Write a letter or email to your local candidates advocating for the policies that matter most to you.
PSA’s handy letter template can be edited and sent to your local candidates to seek their support for pharmacists and the care we provide.
Invite them to visit your pharmacy or practice
Show your local candidates what you do first-hand by hosting them in your pharmacy or practice.
Send your local candidates an invitation to meet you and your team, and show them the challenges we face, whether its caps on your HMR services or unnecessary red tape limiting your scope.
Advocate on social media
Tell your story in a social media post and tag your local candidates.
Add your voice to PSA’s calls for more support and investment in pharmacists.
Submit a letter to the editor or write an opinion piece for your local newspaper
Submit your story to your local paper, either as a short letter to the editor (typically around 100 words) or pitch an opinion piece about why its important to invest in pharmacy.
This helps put pharmacy on the agenda, and ensure that decision-makers and voters see the impact pharmacists can have on accessible, timely care.
