Introduction
This information has been prepared by the Australian Pharmacy Examining Committee (the Examning Committee or APEC), for the information and guidance of overseas trained pharmacists who wish to obtain recognition of their qualifications in Australia and for Australian trained pharmacists intending to migrate to Australia.   It is intended as a guide only, and is not legally binding on any of the bodies or agencies listed.    The information given is believed to be accurate at the time of printing; however, requirements for recognition may vary from time to time.

If you live overseas and are a pharmacist with a qualification gained outside Australia and you intend to migrate and work in this profession in Australia, you should first contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.  Information relating to the general skilled migration program, including requirements for assessment of skills and qualifications, is available in the publication The General Skilled Migration Booklet.  This can be purchased from the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.  You will also find relevant information on the website of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) (www.immi.gov.au).  The Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) section of the DIAC website may also be helpful (www.immi.gov.au/asri).

If you live in Australia and hold qualifications in pharmacy gained overseas you will need to apply directly to APEC for an assessment of your qualifications (see Procedures for Assessment and Recognition of Overseas Qualifications, below).

If you hold pharmacy qualifications gained in Australia and are intending to migrate to Australia as a pharmacist, you will need to apply to APC for an assessment of your qualifications.

Pharmacy in Australia
Australia has a federal system of government and is divided into six independently governed States and two territories.  It currently has no national registration of pharmacists; each individual state and territory administers the registration of pharmacists within its own boundaries.

Pharmacists in Australia are expected to:

Most pharmacists practise in the community (ie. retail businesses) or in hospitals. A smaller number work in the pharmaceutical industry, academic and government institutions, the public service or the armed services.

Community pharmacists have a wide range of responsibilities. These include processing prescriptions, maintenance of patient medication records, health promotion, patient medication, counselling, primary health care, specialised medication administration systems, services to patients with particular needs (eg. diabetics, asthmatics and the elderly), domiciliary care, nursing home and private hospital services, therapeutic device supply and fitting, methadone maintenance programs, public health screening programs and providing expert advice to medical practitioners and other health professionals.

Hospital pharmacists, in addition to the supply and control of medication within hospitals, also provide a wide range of special services, such as drug information, sterile medicines, radio-pharmacy, oncological, ward pharmacy and clinical services. They work closely with other health professionals to optimise drug therapy and patient care management.

The industrial pharmacist's work involves the manufacture and distribution of drugs and medicinal products. This includes quality control, product development, formulation, production, management, research and technical sales including medical detailing. Industrial pharmacists are required to be registered only if they distribute drugs and medicines to the public, although some organisations may only employ those who are eligible for registration. Assessment of industrial pharmacists not seeking registration is the responsibility of Vocational Educational and Training Assessment Services.