National Competency Standards Framework review

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), commissioned by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), through the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PharmBA), has been provided funds to lead a review of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia (2016) hereafter referred to as The Framework.

The Framework sets the foundation for safe, ethical, and effective pharmacist practice. It defines a consolidation of the core  competencies (i.e. the integrated knowledge, skills and attributes) required throughout a pharmacist’s career.

Pharmacist roles are evolving rapidly due to:

• expanded scopes of practice
• advances in digital health and technology
• sustainability in health care.

The review will:

• define core competencies for all registered pharmacists
• support scope-specific maintenance and advanced practice progression
• improve clarity and usability
• reflect contemporary practice across all settings
• provide pathways for evolving and advancing practice
• align with legislative changes and sustainability principles.

Project overview

The PSA Project Team is leading the review to ensure that every stage of the process is transparent, collaborative, and aligned with regulatory and professional expectations.

The Project Advisory Group (PAG) will provide strategic oversight and expert input throughout the project lifecycle and plays a critical role in shaping the Framework so that it reflects contemporary pharmacy practice and the diverse needs of pharmacists and healthcare consumers.

The PAG is designed to be inclusive and representative of the profession and the communities it serves. It brings together:

• Practising pharmacists from a range of settings, including community, hospital, aged care, and general practice, ensuring real-world perspectives.
• Academic and regulatory experts, contributing deep knowledge of education standards and compliance requirements.
• Consumer advocates and student representatives, ensuring the Framework supports patient-centred care and future workforce needs.
• Professional associations and unions, providing insight into workforce development and advocacy priorities.
• First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community representatives, embedding cultural safety and equity at the heart of the Framework.
• Experts in digital health, telehealth, expanded scope of practice, and sustainability, ensuring the Framework is future-focused and responsive to emerging trends.

This collaborative and inclusive structure will ensure that the revised Framework is equitable, culturally safe, and adaptable to the evolving roles of pharmacists.

By engaging voices from across the profession and the communities we serve, we are building a Framework that supports every pharmacist — from early career to advanced practice — and strengthens the profession’s ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.