Study Pharmacy In Australia

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia predicts a shortage of 1,786 pharmacists by 2028. Fewer people are learning to become pharmacists, and high levels of burnout after COVID are contributing to this. 50% of pharmacists have indicated they will quit by 2033, intensifying the shortage. While AI is now completing a lot of the data entry and inventory management, qualified people are required in this essential role.

IDP can help write a prescription for success: Finding you the perfect course, best university, and most convenient and comfortable accommodation.

If you want to study pharmacology in Australia, now is the time. Contact our trained education consultants to talk about your future, and how we can help you get there.

Most Pharmacists usually practice in the following settings, each with a different focus:

• Retail/Community Pharmacists – ANZSCO 251513: Are mainly involved in the dispensing of prescription medication to the general public.

• Their role as primary health care providers includes providing advice and educating customers about medication and disease prevention. They also assist doctors and health care practitioners with selecting medication. There is a strong retail component to this role as most community pharmacies sell over the counter medication and health-related goods.

• Hospital Pharmacists – ANZSCO 251511: Work in a hospital setting, usually within multidisciplinary teams which include doctors and nurses, to provide medication and advice to inpatients, the emergency department and outpatients.

• These patients frequently require complex medication that is rarely used outside of a hospital, making the duties of a hospital pharmacist both unique and challenging. They are often also involved in carrying out clinical trials.

• Industrial Pharmacists – ANZSCO 251512: Have often completed post-graduate studies following their undergraduate studies. They are mainly laboratory-based.

• Their work primarily focuses on research and innovation, as well the testing and analysis of pharmaceuticals. This enables Industrial Pharmacists to make important recommendations regarding drug development, manufacturing processes, distribution, storage and quality control.

Present and future job outlook

At present, Pharmacists remain on the Short Term Skilled Occupations List. It is estimated that there will be moderate growth in the number of pharmacists over the next 5 years. There is a higher demand for pharmacists in regional compared to metropolitan areas.

According to the 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey, Pharmacy undergraduates had one of the highest rates of full time employment upon graduation (95.5%), and after 3 years (93%).

While the wage as a provisional student pharmacist is low, this figure increases upon full qualification. The average weekly wage for a pharmacist is $1862, above the national average.

According to the Health Workforce Australia (2014), 63% of the workforce is employed in community Pharmacy and 18% in hospitals. Outside of the community and hospital settings, Pharmacists are employed in universities, state and federal health departments, and the pharmaceutical industry. An estimated 1.7% work with pharmaceutical manufacturers in drug regulation, information, and training.

The scope of practice for Pharmacists is expanding from the traditional community and hospital roles for example, pharmacists with extra training can now offer vaccinations. Others may elect to focus on advanced clinical care in management, compounding or medication management. In the future, Australian Pharmacists may even be able to prescribe some medication like their overseas counterparts.

Where to study pharmacy

Below is a table listing all the Universities that offer Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science related qualifications. As it may be possible to obtain a credit with some subjects that overlap between the Science and Pharmacy degrees, we can assist you with this process.

1. Become registered

All Pharmacists must be registered through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practice in Australia. Initial general registration through AHPRA costs AUD $410 and provisional registration is AUD $141.

To obtain a general registration, all provisionally registered student pharmacists must have completed at least 75% of training hours of their Intern Training Program through an accredited provider.

They are required to pass both the Intern Written Exam (via the Australian Pharmacy Council, cost AUD $693) and oral examination (2 components, total cost $640 via AHPRA). The Australian Pharmacy Council English language skills registration standard requires a score of 7.5 in the IELTS academic module.

Upon obtaining a general provisional registration to practice in Australia, it is possible to apply for a Skill Assessment letter from the Australian Pharmacy Council, which costs $1260. This letter is a requirement in finding employment and migrating to Australia.

To obtain a Skill Assessment letter, the following documentation is required:

-- Academic Qualifications: Degree certificate or letter of completion, academic transcript
-- Proof of Identity: current passport

To work as an Industrial Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251512) in Australia also requires evidence of employment. This assessment is carried out by VETASSESS, and costs AUD $968. Alongside holding a minimum Bachelor degree, you will need to demonstrate at least 1 year of employment in this specific field, at an appropriate skill level within the last 5 years, working at least 20 hours per week.

2. Obtain a visa

After registering as a pharmacist, it is necessary to hold a valid Visa to stay in Australia for short term work or to become a permanent resident/Australian citizen. Here is a list of Visas that can assist with this process:

• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) – From AUD $4095:

  For pharmacists, an expression of interest for this permanent Visa can be made through SkillSelect. You will then receive an invitation to apply for this Visa. The application must be submitted within 60 days of the invitation.

• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407) – From AUD $310:

  This is a temporary Visa which can be granted for up to 2 years to pharmacists who are completing professional development or workplace-based training that is relevant to their occupation.

• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)- Short Term Stream – From AUD $1265:

  This can be granted for 2-4 years to pharmacists who are working for employers that are unable to source an Australian worker for the same role.

• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – From AUD $4095:

  This is a permanent Visa available to pharmacists who are under a transitional subclass 457 or 482 visa, and are nominated by their employer, for whom they have been working with full-time for at least 3 years.

• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494)- Employer sponsored stream – From AUD $4095:

  This 5-year visa enables pharmacists who are living, working and studying in designated regional areas to be sponsored their employer, who is unable to source an Australian worker for the same position. Pharmacists can subsequently apply for permanent residency 3 years after the 494 is granted.

• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated – From AUD $4095:

  Pharmacists who intend to live, work and study in designated regional areas can apply for this 5 year Visa. Once this Visa is granted, they can then apply for permanent residency 3 years thereafter.

At IDP, we would love to help you to kickstart your career in Pharmacy. You may even want to stay on after completing your degree, and work with other passionate Pharmacists, to deliver quality health care in Australia. If this sounds like you, please contact us anytime for further information.