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This page provides an overview of each organisation in the Australian pharmacy sector that you may need to interact with - and when you may need to speak to them.
This information is intended for general information only and is not an exhaustive list. The Australian Pharmacy Council does not endorse any specific organisations mentioned.
There are many organisations involved along a pharmacist's career in Australia.
Download the Pharmacy Board of Australia's Pharmacy regulators and stakeholders diagram (PDF 2 pages)
Ahpra is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency that works with fifteen National Boards to implement the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - also called the National Scheme.
The National Scheme regulates 16 Australian health professions by setting standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet. Ahpra works with accreditation authorities like APC, to ensure that graduating students are equipped with the necessary skills to apply for registration as health practitioners.
Ahpra also receives notifications and complaints about registered health professionals and oversees the registration and renewal processes for qualified health practitioners.
In order to practise pharmacy in Australia, you need to be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (Pharmacy Board) through Ahpra.
When will I interact with them?
You will interact with Ahpra when:
The Pharmacy Board regulates the pharmacy profession ensuring that pharmacists in Australia are suitably trained, qualified, and safe to practise.
They work to:
This organisation is made up of practitioners and community members appointed by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council. The Pharmacy Board represent the regulatory decision-making for the pharmacy profession.
When will I interact with them?
You may interact with the Pharmacy Board when:
Resources for registration:
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is the national accreditation authority for pharmacy education and training. Our work protects public health by setting and maintaining high standards of pharmacy education.
Our role is to ensure that all pharmacists who practise here can deliver safe, effective health care. We do this through skill assessments and accreditation of pharmacy programs.
When will I interact with them?
When you apply for your skills assessment to support your migration visa with Home Affairs, or your registration with the Pharmacy Board.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) are the Australian government organisation that are responsible for determining Australian visa and immigration policy.
When will I interact with them?
When you are applying for your visa either independently or through a visa migration agent.
Be cautious of third parties
The decisions determining your visa eligibility and visa application can be made by the Department of Home Affairs only. No other agency or organisation has an influence on these decisions other than DHA. Be wary of any organisation that indicates otherwise.
Learn more about visas and sponsorship.
You may wish to use the service of a migration agent to assist with determining which visa subclass best suits your individual circumstances, and for assistance relating to the completion of visa application forms.
Migration agents do not have any influence on whether you will receive a visa or not. This is determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
We recommend that you consider carefully who to use as a migration agent. If you choose to use an agent, you should use an agent that is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). They are an Australian government organisation whose role is to protect consumers of migration advisory services through only registering those agents who meet their qualification and character standards.
Useful links:
Each visa class will have different levels of English language proficiency requirements.
Some of the currently accepted English language tests are:
Learn more about English language visa requirements
The Council of Pharmacy Schools (CPS) represents and supports the education sector in Australia and New Zealand. Their members include universities across Australia and New Zealand that deliver pharmacy degrees to students.
They connect prospective students who are seeking a quality pharmacy degree in Australia or New Zealand, and they facilitate connections with the relevant institutions.
When will I interact with them?
You may interact with this organisation if you are prospective student wishing to study a pharmacy degree in Australia or New Zealand and looking for advice.
Council of Pharmacy Schools AU & NZ website
The National Australian Pharmacy Students Association (NAPSA) is the peak representative body for pharmacy students in Australia. They are a not-for-profit organisation that represents the interests of all pharmacy students who are studying at pharmacy schools/faculties in Australia.
They promote the pharmacy profession to the public through involvement in policy development and advocacy, helping to shape the future of the profession.
When will I interact with them?
You are likely to interact with NAPSA if you are studying to be a pharmacist at a university in Australia.
National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) website
Finding the right role can be challenging at any stage of your pharmacy career. Engaging with a specialist recruitment agency can provide valuable support, industry insight, and access to a wide range of opportunities across Australia.
Explore jobs, get career advice, and access tailored support from consultants who understand the pharmacy profession. There are a number of recruitment agencies - some also aligned with migration services.
The Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) works on the principle of pharmacists supporting pharmacists during times of stress and pressure. The service provides a listening ear and peer support over the telephone to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and students, including international pharmacy graduates seeking registration in Australia.
Callers can remain anonymous, and the call is confidential unless there is a risk of harm. The service is available every day of the year between 8am and 11pm AEDT/AEST on 1300244910. Calls are taken by trained volunteers who are all pharmacists or retired pharmacists. PSS is a not-for-profit charitable organisation.
The PSS website has a range of resources relating to the practice of pharmacy in Australia:
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is a government recognised national peak body representing pharmacists across all practice settings and areas of practice.
They work to:
When will I interact with them?
You may interact with this organisation if you:
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia website
Advanced Pharmacy Australia is a national member organisation supporting pharmacy professionals working across hospitals and health services.
They undertake work to:
When will I interact with them?
You may interact with this organisation if you:
Advanced Pharmacy Australia website
The Australasian College of Pharmacy is a member-based organisation that develops and delivers and range of training and resources to the sector.
They work to:
When will I interact with them?
You may interact with them if you:
See:
NAPE is an alliance formed by 4 Australian Pharmacy Schools:
Leveraging the resources of the alliance, they deliver intern training programs.
When will I interact with them?
You will likely interact with NAPE if you choose to undertake an internship offered by a member of NAPE.
Intern Training - National Alliance for Pharmacy Education website
The Guild is a national peak member body which represents Australia’s owners of community pharmacies.
They work to:
When will I interact with them?
You may wish to interact with the Guild if you:
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia website
Professional indemnity insurance is designed to provide you with insurance as a practising pharmacist in Australia. This insurance provides you with cover against potential legal claims resulting from a breach of your professional duty in the provision of your professional services.
This covers you for incidents such as dispensing errors, vaccinations, incorrect clinical advice, statutory and/or regulatory complaints.
When will I interact with them?
Professional indemnity insurance is required to practise as a pharmacist in Australia. This includes pharmacists who hold provisional or limited registration, such as interns, unless this is covered by your employer's policy.
It is the personal responsibility of all registered pharmacists to ensure that this registration requirement is met.
Such organisations are Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) or Guild Insurance.
PPA is a union and professional association representing employee pharmacists and technicians.
They work to:
PPA works with Fair Work Ombudsman to negotiate the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 [MA000012] and Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.
Download PPA's brochures for more information:
Professional Pharmacists Australia website
Explore key considerations before you begin such as commitments, costs, job market, and processing times.
More detailsLearn about how to organise supervised practice and internships and who to speak with.
More details