The role of community pharmacy in primary health care
In Australia, community pharmacists are increasingly recognised as an essential part of the frontline healthcare system. They are delivering a broad range of primary health services, more so than ever before.
Queensland pharmacists are leading the way and can now prescribe and manage treatment for a range of everyday health conditions. Enabling pharmacists in other states and territories to provide these same services will provide patients with universal access to health services regardless of where they live, be it within a city or in regional and rural areas.
Pharmacists’ ability to extend into the far reaches of Australian communities is unique. A high proportion of the Australian population have access to a community pharmacy within a 2.5-5km radius of where they live. It just makes sense to utilise this network of trained professionals who stand ready to do more.
Scope of Practice - State & Territory Progress
The interactive tool below shows the progress of each state and territory.
You can hover over each bar to see the types of the service offered, and click on the bar to see a detailed breakdown.
Last updated: 20 Feb 2025
Below is further information about the latest initiatives being conducted and changes to permanent practice across the country. Select a state to access resources and information specific to that location.
- ACT
- NSW
- NT
- QLD
- SA
- TAS
- VIC
- WA
ACT
Services offered
Pilot services
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Impetigo
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Urinary Tract Infection
Planned services (with Government commitment)
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
- COPD
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Hormonal contraception
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
NSW
Services offered
Permanent Practice
- Urinary Tract Infection
Pilot services
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Impetigo
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
Planned services (with Government commitment)
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
- COPD
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
- Travel health
NT
Services offered
Permanent Practice
- Urinary Tract Infection
Planned services (with Government commitment)
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
- COPD
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Hormonal contraception
- Impetigo
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Medication management (therapeutic substitution, therapeutic adaptation, medicine continuation
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
- Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
- Smoking cessation
- Travel health
QLD
Services offered
Permanent Practice
- Urinary Tract Infection
Pilot services
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
- COPD
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Hormonal contraception
- Impetigo
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Medication management (therapeutic substitution, therapeutic adaptation, medicine continuation
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
- Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
- Smoking cessation
- Travel health
SA
Services offered
Permanent Practice
- Urinary Tract Infection
Planned services (with Government commitment)
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Impetigo
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
TAS
Services offered
Pilot services
- Urinary Tract Infection
Planned services (with Government commitment)
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Acute minor wound management
- Acute nausea and vomiting
- Acute otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
- COPD
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Impetigo
- Management for overweight and obesity
- Mild to moderate acne
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
- Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
- Smoking cessation
- Travel health
VIC
Services offered
Pilot services
- Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Urinary Tract Infection
WA
Latest Scope of Practice News
Page last updated on: 20 February 2025