Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program

The Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program consists of: 

  

  • Prescribing Training Program – Focusing on developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for prescribing, this program aligns with the NPS Prescribing Competencies Framework, equipping pharmacists with the ability to prescribe safely and appropriately. This program is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council 

  

  • Clinical Practice Training Program – Covers clinical assessment, diagnosis, practical clinical skills and management of a range of conditions, enhancing patient-centred care. 
PHARMACIST PRESCRIBING SCOPE OF PRACTICE TRAINING PROGRAM
PRESCRIBING TRAINING PROGRAM (PTP)
CLINICAL PRACTICE TRAINING PROGRAM

The Prescribing Training Program and the Clinical Practice Training Program are available as a combined program or can be enrolled in separately.

 

Enhance your expertise to diagnose and prescribe medicines for acute and chronic conditions and improve primary healthcare accessibility in your community. 

 

Delivery and assessment

Blended delivery, combining online modules with face-to-face workshop and assessments.

 

Prescribing Training Program assessment methods include:

  • Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
  • Short answer responses
  • PSA ‘Deadly Pharmacists’ online modules with assessments
  • NPS modules
  • ACQSHC shared decision-making risk communication module
  • Self-assessment tasks against prescribing competencies
  • Case studies with a prescriber mentor
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (online)

 

Clinical Practice Training Program assessment methods include:
  • Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
  • Written assessments
  • Clinical documentation through AI-simulated consultations
  • 3 day face-to-face clinical skills workshops
  • 1 day face-to-face clinical skills assessment
  • 1 day face-to-face Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

 

Duration / time commitment

The program is self-paced, giving you the flexibility to fit your studies around your work and personal life.

 

Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 18 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 24 months.

 

Prescribing Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 6 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 18 months.

 

Clinical Practice Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 12 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 18 months.

Flexible enrolment

Learners can enrol at any time and complete the Clinical Practice Training Program and Prescribing Training Program in any order or simultaneously. Completing the Prescribing Training Program before the Clinical Practice Training Program may be beneficial, as understanding the prescribing cycle can assist with the final assessment in the clinical program.

Target audience

Learners must hold current registration (provisional included) with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with no conditions. Intern pharmacists are eligible to enrol but are encouraged to consider their study workload.

 

Prescribing mentor requirements

The Prescribing Training Program requires learners to engage with a prescriber mentor. Learners are required to complete a self-assessment against the NPS Prescribing Competency Framework and develop a learning plan with a prescriber mentor. Learners must complete a minimum of six case studies demonstrating prescribing practice, reviewed and reflected on with the mentor before submission to PSA. The prescriber mentor must be able to guide your development and plan activities and support clinical case discussions.

 

The prescriber mentor must meet the following requirements:

  • Ahpra registration who can prescribe medicines independently
  • Minimum of 12 months independent prescribing experience
  • Currently practice in a primary care setting, aligning with your scope of practice

State and Territory relevant information regarding pharmacist prescribing

Each state and territory has a different education requirements for pharmacist prescribers, please find the information relevant to your location below.

ACT

Health and Community Services Directorate plans to introduce a new authority by the end of the first quarter of 2026, to enable QLD trained pharmacists to conduct additional services, aligned with NSW Health’s authorities.

 

  • PSA is working with the state health department to have the PSA course recognised.

 

To express your interest in the Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program and stay up to date with enrolment information, please reach out to us at learnersupport@psa.org.au

 

NSW

NSW Health recognises trained Queensland pharmacists who have completed the JCU and/or QUT training able to provide treatment to eligible people for certain additional conditions.

 

PSA is working with the state health department to have the PSA course recognised.

 

To express your interest in the Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program and stay up to date with enrolment information, please reach out to us at learnersupport@psa.org.au

 

For more details visit, Expanded scope services – accessing care at your local pharmacy

NT

The Northern Territory Government has committed funding to support community pharmacists who are undertaking training for the Northern Territory Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Program. This commitment will enable eligible students to access a training subsidy of up to $8,500 for successful completion of an approved Program training course/s. The Australasian College of Pharmacy has been engaged by NT Health to manage the distribution of the training subsidy.

 

Please note: The Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program is not equivalent to a post graduate level qualification.

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QLD

From 1 July 2025, pharmacists that have completed additional training and meet the requirements set out in the Extended Practice Authority – Pharmacists are able to provide clinical advice and treatment (which may include prescribing medicines) for a range of acute common condition and health and wellbeing services.

 

These conditions and services include:

· Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

· Acute nausea and vomiting

· Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis

· Impetigo

· Hormonal contraception

· Herpes zoster (shingles)

· Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

· Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis

· Mild to moderate acne

· Acute minor wound management

· Acute diffuse otitis externa

· Acute otitis media

· Acute mild musculoskeletal pain and inflammation

· Smoking cessation

· Oral health screening and fluoride application

· Travel health

· Management of overweight and obesity

 

In addition to these business-as-usual prescribing services, pharmacists with additional training can provide chronic conditions management services under the Queensland Community Pharmacy Chronic Conditions Management Pilot. This pilot will run until 30 June 2026.

 

Pharmacists who complete the PSA Prescribing training program (PTP) and Clinical practice training are eligible to deliver these expanded clinical services under the Extended Practice Authority – Pharmacists  and Extended Practice Authority – Pharmacists – Community pharmacy chronic conditions management pilot.

 

For more details, visit Community Pharmacy Prescribing in Queensland.

 

Please note: The Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program is not a graduate certificate.

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SA

Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice Initiative

 

Under the new Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice Initiative (the Initiative), South Australians will be able to attend a local pharmacy to access additional high quality healthcare advice and services for a broader range of common health conditions from trained pharmacists.

 

Expanding the scope of practice of pharmacists will provide consumers with additional healthcare access and options, and support, reducing pressure on the health system including emergency departments and primary care.

 

PSA is working with the state health department to have the PSA course recognised.

 

To express your interest in the 11404NAT Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing and stay up to date with enrolment information, please reach out to us at learnersupport@psa.org.au

 

For more details visit, Community Pharmacy Expanded Scope of Practice initiative | SA Health

TAS

Tasmanian pharmacists are required to undertake a Graduate Certificate level course, enrol now in PSA’s 11404NAT Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing.

 

The Tasmanian Government has offered postgraduate scholarships that will subsidise full scope of practice training for pharmacists. These subsidies will directly reduce the cost of completing the required credentials.

 

Each successful applicant will receive up to $7,000 in support, with $3,500 available following enrolment and a further $3,500 on completion of the training. The first round of scholarship applications has closed – further rounds may follow depending on demand.

 

PSA’s 11404NAT Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing meets the Tasmanian Government’s requirements – Enrol now!

ENROL NOW - Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing

VIC

The Victorian Government is expanding the role of community pharmacists under the Community Pharmacist Program.

 

Now known as the “Chemist Care Now” program, pharmacists who have completed a postgraduate Pharmacist Prescriber program accredited with the Australian Pharmacy Council are eligible to practice in the Victorian Community Pharmacy Program. This includes PSA’s Pharmacist Prescriber Training.

 

Pharmacists who complete PSA’s Pharmacist Prescriber Training are authorised to supply medicines without prescriptions under the program, when adhering to the Management Protocols published by the Department of Health – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/community-pharmacist-program-resources-for-pharmacists. Pharmacists will self-declare the conditions/treatments they are trained in and able to provide, based on the clinical training they complete alongside the prescribing competence. PSA’s Clinical Practice Training Program covers current protocols and the expanded 22 conditions announced by the Victorian Premier in November 2024 that will be added to the Chemist Care Now Program in the future.

 

For more details about the Victorian specific program rules, visit Community Pharmacist Program | health.vic.gov.au

 

To express your interest in the 11404NAT Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing and stay up to date with enrolment information, please reach out to us at learnersupport@psa.org.au

WA

The Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot aims to provide Western Australians with additional access to treatment for a range of common health conditions.

 

Pharmacists who have completed an approved university graduate certificate course will be able to assess, manage, and treat a range of conditions in a community pharmacy setting and be able to prescribe certain Schedule 4 medications.

 

Service delivery is expected to commence by 2027, following the completion of pharmacist postgraduate training and finalisation of regulatory amendments. The pilot is anticipated to continue until 2028.

 

PSA is working with the state health department to have the PSA course recognised.

 

To express your interest in the 11404NAT Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing and stay up to date with enrolment information, please reach out to us at learnersupport@psa.org.au

 

For more details visit, Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot.

FAQS

Enrolment

Why choose the PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program

By engaging in this training program, pharmacists will gain essential expertise in managing highlighted conditions, bolstering their professional capabilities and expanding their knowledge base. This program will enable pharmacists to contribute more effectively to patient care, fostering a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment in their role. Moreover, the enhanced skills gained from this training will promote continuous professional growth and continue to establish pharmacists as trusted healthcare providers in their communities.

Can I enrol into this program if I’m an intern pharmacist?

Yes, intern pharmacists with provisional registration may enrol. PSA would encourage interns to consider the workload of their programs before enrolling.

Can I enrol in this program if I have pharmacy qualifications from outside of Australia?

Yes, if you hold general or provisional registration as a Pharmacist with Ahpra.

Can pharmacists of any practice setting enrol?

The training is available to pharmacists in all practice settings, including community and hospital pharmacy. PSA believes the training benefits all practice settings, though eligibility for government subsidies may vary.

Can I enrol into this program as a locum pharmacist?

Yes, the program is suitable for all areas of practice. Workplace requirements for subsidies differ, please refer to your state/territory for further details.

Can I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

RPL is not available for the Clinical Practice Training Program or the Prescribing Training Program.

 

Pharmacists who have completed PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health training can receive credit for the hormonal contraception section of the  Clinical Practice Training Program.

I am currently completing the prescribing training program with another provider, do I need to complete this before I can enrol in the PSA Clinical Practice Training Program?

You can enrol and complete the PSA clinical training while completing the prescribing component with another provider.

I’ve already completed the Deadly Pharmacist Program, can I get recognition of this training towards my program?

Yes, learners who have already completed Deadly Pharmacist Program do not need to repeat the training but must provide evidence of completion.

Workshop and assessment delivery

Where and when will the face-to-face workshops and assessments be held?

PSA intends to deliver the face-to-face clinical skills workshops and assessments in each capital city at least yearly, with additional workshops and assessments held subject to demand.

What is my expected time commitment?

Prescribing Training Program

  • Online modules: Approximately 8 hours per module x 8 modules
  • Case based discussions:  Approximately 16 hours total
  • OSCE: Approx 1.5 hours total

 

Clinical Practice Training Program

  • Online modules:  Approximately 5 hours per module x10 modules
  • Tutorials: 2-2.5 hours each, with 7 tutorials total
  • Face-to-face clinical skills workshop: 3 full days
  • Face-to-face clinical skills assessment: 1 full day
  • Face-to-face OSCE: 1 full day

Payments

Can I pay in instalments/Is there a payment plan option?

No, payment plans are not available for this program. Please reach out to our team if you have any concerns with payment.

Other information

Can pharmacists prescribe under the PBS?

Under the current model, S4 medicines prescribed by pharmacists are not eligible for PBS pricing and will be issued as private prescriptions.

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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