The movement to expand community pharmacists' roles is gaining momentum across Australia. With several states announcing key changes, pharmacists are increasingly providing a broader range of healthcare services to meet the growing needs of patients.
Here’s a look at the latest updates from South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
- South Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
South Australia
On World Pharmacists Day (25 September), the Malinauskas Labor Government announced a program allowing pharmacists to manage a wider range of health conditions, including ear infections, acne, shingles, gastro-oesophageal reflux, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, rhinitis, and wound care. This builds on the state's current services for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and resupplying oral contraceptives.
Since launching the UTI service in March, more than 4,130 women have been treated, resulting in a 21% reduction in UTI-related emergency department visits in metropolitan hospitals. The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) resupply service, introduced in May, has seen over 380 women obtain their medication without needing a GP visit.
To support the expanded scope, the South Australian government is working with universities and education providers and the Pharmacy Guild to offer comprehensive training. The program is set to be fully operational by 2026.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (SA Branch) President, Matt Gillespie, said “the change in South Australia was an important further step towards the expanded and harmonised provision of primary health services across Australia.”
“Community pharmacists across the state are already upskilling, undertaking the necessary additional university training, to become prescribing pharmacists.”
Chris Picton MP, Jayne Stinson MP, SA Branch President Nick Panayiaris, National President Trent Twomey, Manya Angley and Helen Stone at Bayside Pharmacy Practice in South Australia.
Australian Capital Territory
In the lead-up to the 19 October election, both ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals have pledged to expand community pharmacy scope of practice. They plan to enable pharmacists to treat everyday conditions, including ear infections, acne, nausea, and reflux, as well as manage chronic conditions, building on the success of Queensland's scope of practice pilot.
These commitments follow the ACT's involvement in a New South Wales trial, where 15 ACT pharmacies treated uncomplicated UTIs and resupplied oral contraceptives. This trial demonstrated the positive impact of community pharmacists in reducing healthcare strain, particularly since one in ten Canberrans face GP wait times of three weeks or more.
Both parties have also committed to allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines to people of all ages, enhancing healthcare accessibility across the ACT's 81 community pharmacies.
ACT Branch President Simon Blacker, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith and Colette Needham.
New South Wales
There has been significant progress on scope of practice in NSW.
The NSW Health Minister announced at September’s Pharmacy Connect Conference that it will move to permanent practice for pharmacists to treat a range of acute health conditions, aligned with those in the Queensland trial, with the first patients expected to be treated in 2026. Additionally, the Minister announced a trial for a range of chronic conditions which will commence within the next 12 months.
Following a successful trial, NSW pharmacists have been permanently authorised to treat uncomplicated UTIs since May 2024 and resupply of the oral contraceptive pill was made permanent practice on World Contraception Day, 26 September.
The pilot for the oral contraceptive pill and UTI treatment began in May 2023, and saw more than 16,000 women treated at over 900 pharmacies, proving particularly beneficial in regional, rural, and remote areas.
A separate pilot for pharmacists to treat a range of skin conditions (impetigo, psoriasis and eczema) is currently in progress, with hundreds of patients already receiving treatment at their community pharmacy.
Health Minister Ryan Park announcing NSW’s commitment to scope at Pharmacy Connect.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is advancing its Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice program, with the new CLP Government confirming that pharmacist-led UTI treatment will begin within their first 100 days. Training for managing 21 conditions, including asthma, wound care, and swimmer’s ear is also anticipated to being within 100 days of the CLP taking office., and will become permanent practice from August 2025.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro emphasised the program's potential to save patients time and money while improving access. Pharmacy Guild of Australia NT Branch President Peter Hatswell highlighted this initiative as a transformative step for Territory healthcare.
With 88% of Greater Darwin residents living within 2.5 km of a pharmacy, the program is expected to significantly alleviate pressure on primary care and emergency services.
Peter Hatswell - NT Branch President, Lia Finocchiaro - Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Claire Ross - Owner Blooms the Chemist Darwin Galleria, Robyn Cahill - Member for Port Darwin.
These developments across South Australia, the ACT, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory show the increasing momentum for pharmacist-led healthcare services rolling out across the nation.
