SIR20116 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy

Start your career in community pharmacy with a nationally recognised qualification

Start your career in community pharmacy with the SIR20116 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy. This nationally recognised qualification provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to work confidently as a pharmacy assistant in a community pharmacy setting.

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You’ll learn how to support customers, assist with prescriptions under supervision, maintain pharmacy operations, and contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare services.

 

Designed specifically for community pharmacy, the qualification includes nationally recognised S2/S3 training, supporting industry requirements for assisting with the supply of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines.

Key Information

Meets QCPP & QSPP training requirements

 

Duration: 12 Months

Delivery: Self-paced online learning, supported by a PSA trainer/assessor.

 

Nationally Recognised Qualification

Fee for service pricing

Professional Plus: $1,799

All other PSA members: $2,499 

Non-Member: $2,499 

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Why pharmacy owners choose this qualification

Support your pharmacy assistants to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to deliver exceptional customer service and contribute effectively to day-to-day pharmacy operations.

  • nationally recognised qualification designed specifically for community pharmacy
  • quick and easy enrolment process
  • builds staff confidence across a range of pharmacy assistant responsibilities
  • flexible online delivery that fits around rostered shifts
  • trainer support throughout the program

 

Why study with PSA

When you study with PSA, you’ll benefit from:

  • training designed specifically for community pharmacy practice
  • experienced pharmacy trainers and assessors
  • flexible online learning that fits around work commitments
  • immediate commencement with no semester intakes
  • nationally recognised qualification
  • support throughout your learning journey

 

Graduate with confidence

By completing this qualification, you’ll develop the practical skills, industry knowledge and confidence needed to contribute effectively in the workplace. You’ll be equipped to deliver professional service, work as part of a team and support positive outcomes for customers, patients and your pharmacy.

 

Entry requirements

Learners must:

  • be working in a community pharmacy
  • meet the minimum age requirements of your state or territory
  • have or obtain a USI and provide it to PSA as part of the enrolment process
  • be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen

 

Note: Learners on student visa (subclass 500) are not eligible to enrol in this course.

 

How the program works

Assessment is conducted over a period of time and includes a range of assessment methods, tools and evidence collection activities designed to demonstrate the application of skills and knowledge in the workplace. The exact mix of assessment methods will vary from unit to unit.

 

Assessment types include:

  • multiple-choice and short-answer questions
  • case studies
  • projects and reports
  • demonstration of practical skills
  • third-party (workplace supervisor) reports

State and Territory Funding

ACT

This training is subsidised by the ACT Government. This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

NSW

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government (Click here to view Smart & Skilled website). This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

NT

The cost of the course may be dependent on government funding. Under the Northern Territory Government User Choice Contract, funding is available for SIR20116 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy for new employees (three months full time, twelve months part time) to undertake this qualification under a traineeship. Eligibility criteria applies for User Choice funding.

 

This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

QLD

Subsidised Training for Eligible Queenslanders

The Queensland government via the Department of Trade, Education and Training (DTET) offer subsidised training to eligible Queenslanders.  Subsidised training in Queensland is designed to help individuals develop the skills needed for priority jobs.  The funding supports individuals to get the skills to enter and/or re-enter the workforce, and advance careers.

 

Eligible learners can access this funding through Career Start or Career Boost programs.  This link will direct you to the DTET website for more information on their training initiatives.

 

PSA is an approved supplier of funded training in Queensland for both Career Start and Career Boost.  We are able to offer the following qualifications and skill sets.

 

Career Start Program – Traineeship Pathway

  • SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy

 

Career Start Program – General Pathway

  • SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy

 

Career Boost Program

  • SIR40116 Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy
  • SIRSS00012 Community Pharmacy Dispensary Skill Set

 

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs)

  • SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy

 

The cost of the course may be dependent on your eligibility to Queensland Government funding programs. This qualification is available via Queensland Government funding, please refer here for eligibility criteria.

 

This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Fees

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

SA

This training is funded through the Government of South Australia. This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

TAS

This training is subsidised by the Department of State Growth, Tasmania. This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

VIC

This training is delivered with Commonwealth Government funding. This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised.

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

WA

This training is offered on a fee for service basis as well as subsidised. Eligibility requirements apply, please contact the PSA staff at to discuss further: learnersupport@psa.org.au

 

Please see the schedule of fees below for more information.

View schedule of fees

Policies

View the current policies related to your training below.

 

RTO Policies | Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

FAQs

Who should do this course?

If you’re a recent school leaver, first time employee, or a secondary school student wanting to commence a career in community pharmacy via a school-based traineeship, then this course is for you!

 

New pharmacy assistants who are employed in a community pharmacy may also complete this qualification.

How long does the qualification take to complete?

Full time employees should complete the course within 6 to 12 months. Part time employees should complete the course between 12 and 24 months. A training plan is provided to support each student for the duration of the course.

What does the qualification include?

To complete SIR20116 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy you will need to complete 12 units of competency comprising of four core units and eight elective units.

Core units
  • SIRCCCS001 Interact with pharmacy customers
  • SIRCIND001 Work effectively in a community pharmacy
  • SIRCINF001 Use pharmacy practices for infection control
  • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

Elective units
  • SIRCPPA004* Assist customers with oral care products
  • SIRCPPA006* Assist customers with skin and anti‑fungal products
  • SIRXSLS002 Follow point-of-sale procedures
  • SIRXIND002 Organise and maintain the store environment
  • SIRRMER001 Produce visual merchandise displays
  • SIRRINV001 Receive and handle retail stock
  • SIRXSLS001 Sell to the retail customer
  • SIRCIND002 Support the supply of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines

 

*indicates that learners must successfully complete another unit or units prior to this unit

How is the training delivered?

This training is delivered online via PSA’s Learning Management System, Cloud Assess.

Do you offer Recognition of Prior Learning?

Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for all qualifications. The RPL process acknowledges the skills and competencies gained from work experience, prior training and life experiences.

 

When completing the enrolment form you will be asked if you would like to consider RPL.

Do you offer credit transfer?

Yes. Credit transfer recognises prior learnings of units of competency within your course of study that you have previously successfully completed.  Formal evidence of completion is required which must match the content and outcome of the unit.

 

When completing the enrolment form you will be asked if you have completed previous study.

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were our first pharmacists.

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