Pharmacy in Australia: Pharmacy Jobs in Australia

"Professional Organisations"

Most pharmacists in Australia are members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia which operates through State and Territory branches. The Society and its branches are concerned with educational, ethical and professional aspects of pharmacy. Membership of the Society is open to any registered pharmacist. Student membership may be allowed which may give you access to continuing education seminars.

Specialised organisations concentrate on particular aspects of the profession in Australia - the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the pharmacy owners' organisation) and the Salaried Pharmacists Association which looks after salaried pharmacists. Membership of these bodies is open to registered pharmacists working in these specific areas.

If you're interested in finding permanent Australian employment, there are many online employment services available for those looking for work, and most large daily newspapers advertise job vacancies on their websites.

A good place to start is Jobsearch, which has links to all of the major job search sites including Government services. Research tools including free salary calculators, such as Salariesreview.com and Salaryexpert.com, are also useful when looking into jobs in Australia.

Qualifications Gained in Australia

If you obtained your pharmacy qualifications in Australia and are intending to migrate to Australia you will need a formal skills assessment of your qualifications completed by APEC.

Qualifications Immediately Acceptable to Pharmacy Registration Authorities

If you obtained your pharmacy degree and licence to practise in the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand you will be accepted for registration by all State and Territory pharmacy registering authorities. Conditions for registration will vary between the registering authorities, and you may need a short period of practical experience supervised by a pharmacist in Australia before you can be registered.

If you are intending to migrate to Australia you will need a skills assessment completed by APEC but will not be required to complete the APEC examination process.

Qualifications Not Immediately Acceptable to Registration Authorities

If your qualifications do not immediately meet the Australian requirements, there are 2 options:

1. Complete an Australian pharmacy degree course at a recognised Australian university. The qualifications awarded by these institutions satisfy the formal academic requirements for registration by all State and Territory pharmacy registering authorities. If you enrol in an award course, you may gain credit for your overseas studies. Universities are self-governing and determine their own entry requirements for credit transfers. You will then need to complete a period of supervised practical training - conditions vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
2. Undertake the examination process conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Examining Council (APEC). Applicants need to formally apply for an assessment to determine their eligibility to undertake the examination process.

Applicants must have completed an approved pharmacy course which included a minimum component of the equivalent of 3 years of full time academic study. The applicant must also be registered or be eligible for registration as a pharmacist in the country in which the qualification was obtained.

After successful completion of the Stage I Examination candidates must reside in Australia and have permission to work at least 25 hours per week (30 hours in New South Wales) to complete the remainder of the examination process.