25+ Pharmacy Job Roles in Australia: Titles, Duties, and How to Get Started
Australia’s pharmacy sector offers exceptional career opportunities with a projected 14.7% growth rate over the next five years and approximately 2,448 full-time pharmacist positions currently available.
This comprehensive guide explores 25+ pharmacy job roles across health, dispensary, specialist, business, and retail sectors, providing detailed insights into duties, salary expectations in australian currency, and pathways to entry for pharmacy students, interns, overseas pharmacists, and healthcare professionals.
This guide also help you understand how much pharmacists earn in Australia and how choosing a specialist pharmacy field can significantly boost their income.
Pharmacist Roles in an Australian Pharmacy
Below are some key pharmacist roles in an Australian pharmacy, including duties, qualifications, and career pathways
Dispensary Manager – Overseeing Daily Pharmacy Operations
Primary Duties: Supervise day-to-day pharmacy operations, manage staff, ensure regulatory compliance, oversee inventory, handle customer-service escalations, maintain quality-control procedures, and coordinate with healthcare providers.
Salary Range: $76,666 – $80,297 annually (≈ AU$121,692 – AU$127,455)
How to Get Started: Requires pharmacy degree, AHPRA registration, 3-5 years of pharmacy experience, and management training. Leadership and business-administration skills are highly valued.
Dispensary Pharmacist – Core Dispensing Duties Explained
Primary Duties: Dispense medications according to prescriptions, provide medication counseling, conduct drug-utilization reviews, manage patient medication profiles, ensure medication safety, and collaborate with healthcare teams.
Salary Range: $69,359 – $77,509 annually (≈ AU$110,094 – AU$123,030)
How to Get Started: Complete an accredited pharmacy degree (4 years), pass the intern training program (12 months), obtain AHPRA registration, and pass pharmacy-board examinations.
Dispensary Technician – Supporting the Pharmacist’s Workflow
Primary Duties: Assist pharmacists with prescription preparation, manage inventory, handle insurance claims, maintain patient records, perform administrative tasks, and ensure proper storage of medications.
Salary Range: $27,474 – $44,317 annually (≈ AU$43,610 – AU$70,345)
How to Get Started: Complete Certificate III or IV in Community Pharmacy, gain on-the-job training, and develop knowledge of pharmaceutical products and regulations.
Intern Pharmacist – Duties, Salary and Registration Path
Primary Duties: Work under supervision to gain practical experience, complete structured training programs, participate in medication dispensing, conduct patient consultations, and prepare for registration examinations.
Salary Range: $39,311 – $44,658 annually (≈ AU$62,399 – AU$70,886)
How to Get Started: Graduate from an accredited pharmacy program, apply for provisional registration with AHPRA, and secure an intern position in an approved pharmacy setting.
Pharmacy Student – Entry-Level Opportunities & Learning
Primary Duties: Complete coursework, participate in clinical placements, gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and prepare for career entry through practical training.
Salary Range (by year):
- 1st Year: $15,811 (≈ AU$25,097)
- 2nd Year: $16,149 (≈ AU$25,634)
- 3rd Year: $16,737 (≈ AU$26,567)
- 4th Year: $17,404 (≈ AU$27,626)
How to Get Started: Meet university entry requirements (ATAR 80+), complete prerequisite subjects (Chemistry, Mathematics, English), and enroll in an accredited pharmacy program.
Professional Care Pharmacist
Primary Duties: Provide specialized clinical services, conduct comprehensive medication reviews, manage chronic-disease programs, offer vaccination services, and collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Salary Range: $44,100 – $81,900 annually (≈ AU$70,000 – AU$130,000)
How to Get Started: Complete a pharmacy degree, gain clinical experience, pursue additional certifications in specialized areas, and develop expertise in patient-care services.
DAA Manager (Drug and Alcohol Administration)
Primary Duties: Oversee methadone and buprenorphine programs, ensure regulatory compliance, manage staff training, coordinate with healthcare providers, maintain accurate records, and monitor patient progress.
Salary Range: $88,882 – $91,589 annually (≈ AU$141,082 – AU$145,380)
How to Get Started: Obtain a pharmacy qualification, complete specialized DAA training, gain experience in addiction medicine, and meet regulatory requirements for controlled substances.
DAA Pharmacist
Primary Duties: Dispense opioid-replacement-therapy medications, conduct patient assessments, provide counseling services, monitor treatment compliance, and coordinate care with addiction specialists.
Salary Range: $69,359 – $77,509 annually (≈ AU$110,094 – AU$123,030)
How to Get Started: Complete a pharmacy degree, obtain AHPRA registration, complete DAA-specific training programs, and gain experience in addiction-treatment settings.
Specialist Pharmacist Roles in Australia
Below are some essential specialist pharmacy roles in Australia, from compounding to aged care, and learn how to qualify for each
Aged Care Pharmacist/Manager – Medication Review & Elderly Care
Primary Duties: Manage medication-management systems in aged-care facilities, oversee staff training, ensure regulatory compliance, coordinate with healthcare providers, and implement quality-improvement initiatives.
Salary Range: $42,456 – $60,984 annually (≈ AU$67,390 – AU$96,800)
How to Get Started: Combine a pharmacy or healthcare-management background with aged-care experience, complete specialized training in geriatric care, and medication management.
Vaccinating Pharmacist – Certification & Scope
Primary Duties: Administer vaccines, conduct pre-vaccination assessments, provide immunization counseling, maintain vaccination records, and participate in public-health initiatives.
Salary Range: $69,359 – $77,509 annually (≈ AU$110,094 – AU$123,030) plus vaccination fees
How to Get Started: Complete a pharmacy degree, obtain vaccination certification, complete immunization-training programs, and meet state-specific vaccination requirements.
Diabetes Educator/Manager – Pharmacy-Based Diabetes Support
Primary Duties: Provide diabetes education, conduct blood-glucose monitoring, manage insulin-therapy programs, coordinate care plans, and offer lifestyle-counseling services.
Salary Range: $42,456 – $60,984 annually (≈ AU$67,390 – AU$96,800)
How to Get Started: Obtain a pharmacy or healthcare qualification, complete diabetes-education certification, gain experience in chronic-disease management, and develop counseling skills.
Compounding Pharmacist – Custom Medication Preparation
Primary Duties: Prepare customized medications, maintain sterile-compounding environments, ensure quality control, manage specialized equipment, and provide technical consultation services.
Salary Range: ≈ $65,520 annually (≈ $32 per hour or AU$50 per hour)
How to Get Started: Complete a pharmacy degree, gain 2+ years post-registration experience, complete specialized compounding training, and develop expertise in pharmaceutical compounding techniques.
Naturopath – Alternative and Complementary Healthcare
Primary Duties: Provide natural-health consultations, recommend herbal medicines, conduct health assessments, develop treatment plans, and integrate complementary therapies with conventional medicine.
Salary Range: $40,950 – $82,218 annually (≈ AU$65,000 – AU$130,504)
How to Get Started: Complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), obtain professional-association membership, gain clinical experience, and pursue specialized certifications.
Business and Retail Roles
These roles help pharmacy business devlop and flourish in Australian pharmacies, from operations managers to pharmacy assistants. Let’s check how to get started
Pharmacy Business/Operations Manager – Strategic Oversight
Primary Duties: Develop business strategies, manage financial operations, oversee multiple locations, implement operational procedures, analyze performance metrics, and drive business-growth initiatives.
Salary Range: $74,693 – $106,754 annually (≈ AU$118,560 – AU$169,450)
How to Get Started: Combine a pharmacy background with business qualifications (MBA preferred), gain management experience, and develop strategic-planning and financial-management skills.
Retail Manager – In-Store Sales and Team Leadership
Primary Duties: Supervise retail operations, manage staff scheduling, ensure customer-service standards, oversee inventory management, implement marketing strategies, and maintain store profitability.
Salary Range: $66,150 – $106,754 annually (≈ AU$105,000 – AU$169,450)
How to Get Started: Develop retail-management experience, complete management-training programs, gain understanding of pharmacy operations, and build customer-service expertise.
Stock Controller – Inventory and Procurement Duties
Primary Duties: Manage inventory levels, coordinate ordering systems, conduct stock audits, maintain storage protocols, track expiration dates, and optimize supply-chain efficiency.
Salary Range: $22,050 – $72,009 annually (≈ AU$35,000 – AU$114,300)
How to Get Started: Complete post-basic pharmacy-assistant qualification, gain inventory-management experience, develop computer skills (e.g., SAP), and understand pharmaceutical supply chains.
Pharmacy Assistant – Frontline Customer Support
Primary Duties: Support pharmacy operations, assist with customer service, handle product sales, manage administrative tasks, maintain store appearance, and support pharmacist duties.
Salary Range: $27,256 – $43,207 annually (≈ AU$43,264 – AU$68,582)
How to Get Started: Complete Certificate II or III in Community Services, gain retail experience, develop customer-service skills, and understand basic pharmaceutical knowledge.
Pharmacy Administrator – Back-Office and Records Management
Primary Duties: Handle administrative functions, manage patient records, process insurance claims, coordinate appointments, maintain compliance documentation, and support operational efficiency.
Salary Range: $20,475 – $63,000 annually (≈ AU$32,500 – AU$100,000)
How to Get Started: Develop administrative skills, gain healthcare-administration experience, complete relevant certifications, and understand healthcare regulations and systems.
Other Specialist Retail Roles in Pharmacies
These roles doesn’t need any pharmacy degree specially and are more focused on customer care and sales of non-pharmacy items.
Retail Beauty Advisor – Skincare and Cosmetics Sales
Primary Duties: Provide skincare consultations, recommend cosmetic products, conduct beauty assessments, offer product demonstrations, maintain product displays, and achieve sales targets.
Salary Range: $36,194 – $40,950 annually (≈ AU$57,450 – AU$65,000)
How to Get Started: Complete beauty-therapy certification, gain retail-sales experience, develop product knowledge, and build customer-consultation skills.
Retail Beauty Technician – Treatment Services within Pharmacy
Primary Duties: Perform beauty treatments, operate specialized equipment, provide skincare services, maintain treatment rooms, ensure hygiene standards, and document treatment outcomes.
Salary Range: $33,784 – $45,480 annually (≈ AU$53,625 – AU$72,190)
How to Get Started: Complete Certificate III or IV in Beauty Therapy, gain hands-on treatment experience, maintain professional certifications, and develop specialized treatment skills.
Getting Started in a Pharmacy Career in Australia
Pathways for Pharmacy Students
Education Pathway: Complete a 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) or a 2-year Master of Pharmacy for graduate entry. Programs must be accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council and include a minimum of 350 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Key Prerequisites: ATAR 80+, Chemistry (Units 3 & 4), Mathematics, and English. Graduate entry requires an existing bachelor’s degree.
Typically doctors earn more in Australia than pharmacists .
Internships and Practical Training for Intern Pharmacists
Registration Process:
- Graduate from an accredited program.
- Apply for provisional registration with AHPRA.
- Complete a 12-month structured internship under approved supervision.
- Pass competency-based registration examinations.
Steps for Overseas Pharmacists to Work in Australia
Migration Pathway:
- Skills Assessment: Submit qualifications to the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
- OPRA Exam: Pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (replacing KAPS from March 2025).
- English Proficiency: Achieve the required IELTS, PTE, or OET scores.
- Internship: Complete an Australian internship training program.
- AHPRA Registration: Register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Australia’s pharmacy sector is experiencing a record increase in overseas pharmacist applications, indicating strong demand and abundant opportunities.
Continuing Education & Professional Development Options
- Continuing Education: All registered pharmacists must maintain ongoing professional development, complete mandatory training requirements, and stay current with pharmaceutical regulations and practices.
- Specialization Opportunities: Advanced certifications in clinical pharmacy, immunization, diabetes management, aged care, and compounding services provide pathways for career advancement and higher earning potential.
Australia’s pharmacy industry offers diverse, rewarding career paths with competitive salaries, strong job security, and opportunities for professional growth across multiple healthcare settings.
Listen to this podcast on YouTube
