Can Pharmacists Prescribe in Australia? (2025 Update)

Can pharmacists prescribe medication in Australia? It's a question gaining increasing attention as the healthcare landscape undergoes a major transformation in 2025. The Pharmacists prescribing in Australia has advanced profoundly majorly over the past twenty years. This has transformed a typical traditional dispensing role to more integrated role within the Australian Healthcare. The Australian healthcare system is experiencing a dynamic shift, propelled by innovation, demand with a greater number of people needing the healthcare services, and the need for accessible care making the service available to everyone regardless of the income, location or other barriers. Expanded scope of pharmacists is one of the most important shifts in recent years specially, their ability to prescribe medications is something to look for. Conventionally, the area of prescribing has been the realm of doctors, but the circumstances are changing.

This blog dives deep into some of the key points like:

• History of pharmacists prescribing in Australia

• Policy shifts that lead to current situation

• Pilot studies which are done majorly to make this happen

• Current rules, and the future of pharmacist prescribing in Australia.

• State-specific programs conducted to derive a conclusion

• Training requirements to become a prescribing pharmacist, and

• What are the advantages for the pharmacists and for patients.

How It Started: The History of Pharmacist Prescribing in Australia

Pharmacist prescribing is not a new concept to the world. Many Countries such as the UK, Canada, and New Zealand have allowed various forms of pharmacist prescribing for years. However, there are other countries that completely fall back in the race where the pharmacist role is only restricted to dispensing the medicines. While Australia is slowly picking up the pace to this evolution of pharmacist prescribing.

United Kingdom: Pharmacists in this country can be trained to become independent prescribers and assess, diagnose, and prescribe medicines for a wide variety of health concerns.

New Zealand: Pharmacists here can prescribe medication in collaboration with a physician within a defined area of practice.

Canada: The varying degree of prescribing role of pharmacists varies along the provinces. But in general pharmacists here can prescribe minor ailments, manage ongoing treatments, and adjust dosages for chronic conditions.

Australia:

• Let’s get to know the history to better understand the changes. In the early 2000s, the conversations around pharmacist prescribing in Australia had begun but encountered a strong opposition from medical associations.

• In 2012, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) was firmly against the thought of independent pharmacist prescribing, stating reasons like patient safety and concerns over fragmented care.

• But the perspective has started to change over time with the shortage of doctors or general physicians in rural areas, the overload of the emergency department and the demand for improved access to healthcare.

• It was in 2020 that it occurred that first pharmacist prescribing pilot in North Queensland has started, making Queensland Government a ground breaker in this field.

Where Can Pharmacists Prescribe in 2025? A State-by-State Overview

1. Queensland: Setting a national benchmark

• Since change is the only constant, it was in March 2025 that the Queensland government announced the permanent implementation full-scope pharmacist prescribing after its successful pilot programs.

• With strict rules like:

1. Pharmacists must undergo structured, accredited training

2. Must report back to GPs for continuity of care

3. Must work within strict clinical protocols

• This permanent implementation will commence from 1 July 2025 which allows the specially trained pharmacists to diagnose and also prescribe medication in the following conditions:

  • Hay fever and allergies

  • Impetigo (school sores)

  • Shingles

  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Musculoskeletal pain

  • Smoking cessation

  • Contraceptive pills

  • Wound management

  • Ear infections

  • Dermatitis and psoriasis

  • Acne

  • Oral health screening

  • Travel health

  • Weight management

  • Asthma,

  • COPD,

  • Hypertension,

  • Cholesterol

2. Victoria: Broad Pilot Program Underway

Victoria introduced the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot in 2023, empowering pharmacists to:

• Treat shingles

• Prescribe oral contraceptives

• Administer travel vaccines

• Treat UTIs

• Manage psoriasis flare-ups

Within a short span of few months the pilot saw over 10,000 patient consultations.

3. South Australia:

South Australia, in early 2024, has made decisions to expand pharmacists scope, allowing them to:

• Manage minor musculoskeletal pain

• Treat wounds

• Diagnose acne, reflux, GI issues

• Prescribe for ear infections

Projected timeline: This program is expected to be fully available by the year 2026, with postgraduate training made compulsion for pharmacists.

4. Western Australia: Moving Toward UTI Prescribing

Pharmacists in Western Australia (WA) are now allowed to prescribe medications for uncomplicated UTIs. Further roles are being explored, particularly in rural areas where the access to General physicians is limited.

5. New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory

New South Wales, the ACT, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory are:

• Conducting pilot programs for prescribing treatments to UTIs and oral contraception

• Evaluating the potential to expanded prescribing rights to pharmacists

• Closely monitoring Queensland and Victoria models

Some of the programs are still in consultation or early pilot stages.

What Training Do Pharmacists Need to Prescribe?

Can every registered pharmacist in Australia prescribe?

To answer this, No, not all pharmacists can prescribe and it requires proper training. Here’s what they need:

1. Accredited Postgraduate Training
   Institutions like PSA (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia) or universities, provide certain approved programs to be completed by pharmcists.

2. Competency Framework Compliance
   NPS MedicineWise has developed the Prescribing Competency Framework which is endorsed by AHPRA that must be completed by pharmacists.

3. Clinical Governance
   Must operate under:

   • Structured documentation

   • Referral guidelines for complex cases

   • Patient safety protocols

Why Pharmacist Prescribing Matters

1. Benefits to Patients which include

• quicker access to treatment without waiting for a General physician.

• In rural and regional areas where there is shortage of GPs this creates greater convenience, and

• reduced costs with fewer visits to emergency departments.

2. Benefits to the Healthcare System

• Reduces GP workload

• Integrates pharmacists into primary care teams

• Cost-effective and efficient care delivery

Looking Ahead: National Implementation?

National pharmacist prescribing recommended by experts, including the Grattan Institute, to improve access and consistency.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is actively advocating to federal support and recognition, particularly for rural healthcare.

The ongoing discussions as of 2025, focused on developing a national framework under AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) to standardize prescribing laws and training standards all across the states and territories.

Conclusion: A New Era of Pharmacy Practice

The concept of Pharmacist prescribing in Australia is not an expanded role—it’s a budding reality. With full implementation in Queensland and pilots expanding across the country, Australia is on a progressive path toward a healthcare system where pharmacists take on more active and expanded roles.

For international pharmacists, pharmacy students, and healthcare stakeholders, these changes represent a major shift, a turning point, opening doors to: greater responsibility in patient care, expanded roles beyond traditional dispensing, and a stronger presence in the frontline of patient care.

This blog is for informational purposes only and represents the views and interpretations of Elite Expertise regarding career opportunities in pharmacy. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date insights, pharmacy licensing requirements, immigration policies, and healthcare regulations may vary by country and are subject to change.EliteExpertise does not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on the information provided in this article.

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About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise