Accrediting pharmacy programs and CPD accrediting organisations

The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is the trusted, independent authority that accredits pharmacy programs and training in Australia. We do this to ensure that pharmacists have the skills and knowledge they need for safe, effective practice.

On this page:

• Why we accredit pharmacy programs
• Pharmacy program accreditation
• Accredited programs and organisations
• Contact the Accreditation team

Why we accredit pharmacy programs

All Australian states and territories have laws to establish the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). It ensures all health practitioners meet the requirements to practise.

Accrediting a pharmacy program ensures that graduates are 'suitably trained and qualified'.

We accredit programs by reviewing them to confirm that they meet clear, evidence-based standards. This ensures that program graduates can practise pharmacy safely and effectively.

It's important that we equip pharmacists to address individual needs in an ever-changing environment. This includes:

• ensuring cultural safety (spiritual, social, emotional and physical)
• improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes
• helping people with a disability
• working with other health professions
• developing a sustainable practice

These areas of practice are supported by our accreditation standards to produce socially accountable pharmacists.

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Pharmacy program accreditation

The process to become - and remain - accredited varies depending on the program.

Find out about:

• Degree programs - universities teach these programs to prepare graduates for supervised practice as intern pharmacists.
• Intern training programs (ITPs) - ITP providers deliver these programs to prepare degree program graduates to practise as registered pharmacists.
• International degree programs - universities outside of Australia teach these programs to prepare graduates for pharmacy practice in their country.

We also accredit organisations that accredit continuing professional development (CPD) activities for registered pharmacists.

As requested by the Pharmacy Board of Australia, we are currently developing the Accreditation Standards for pharmacist prescriber training programs.

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Accredited programs and organisations

We publish lists of currently accredited programs and organisations:

• Degree programs
• Intern training programs (ITPs)
• CPD accrediting organisations
• International degree programs
• Vaccination training within programs

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Contact the Accreditation team

Email us on accreditation@pharmacycouncil.org.au with:

• questions about becoming or remaining accredited
• complaints about an accredited program