This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of entry level pharmacy technicians who work under the supervision of a pharmacist in a hospital or community setting. This may include pharmacies that are located outside of health services but supply medicines and products to hospitals and other health services.
To achieve this qualification, the individual must have completed a total of least 240 hours of work in a hospital or health services pharmacy setting in Australia as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
This course has 240 mandatory work placement hours.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
1 year - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply knowledge of medications used to assist patients in using medications effectively | Core |
| Apply the principles of confidentiality, privacy and security within the medical environment | Core |
| Communicate and work in health or community services | Core |
| Dispense prescriptions and medication orders | Core |
| Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately | Core |
| Maintain pharmaceutical imprest stock | Core |
| Order, maintain and distribute pharmaceutical stock | Core |
| Organise personal work priorities | Core |
| Pack pharmaceutical products | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| Provide assistance in dispensary administration | Core |
| Recognise healthy body systems | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Pharmacy Technician
ANZSCO 311215
Pharmacy Technicians fill and label patients' prescriptions under the supervision of Pharmacists. They may record details of, place orders for, take stock of, and store medications and medical supplies and deliver them to patients.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Pharmacy Sales Assistant
ANZSCO 621411
Sell pharmaceutical goods, toiletries and related goods in retail chemist shops.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.
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Health Industry Training Queensland (RTO code 32145)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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SWC Training (RTO code 4567)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY (RTO code 0826)
Contact this provider
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Box Hill Institute (RTO code 4687)
Contact this provider
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Care Academy NSW Pty Ltd (RTO code 90166)
Contact this provider
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Hospital Pharmacy Training College (RTO code 46374)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.