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 skilled pharmacy assistants who use a range of well-developed service skills to identify and meet customer needs. They have sound knowledge of a broad range of pharmacy products and health care support services. Some pharmacy assistants may be involved in assisting with a limited range of dispensary activities.
They work with some independence, under limited supervision from others, but ultimately under the supervising pharmacist. They may provide technical advice and support to team members.
Pharmacy assistants must comply with federal, state or territory law and Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for supplying scheduled medicines. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative 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:
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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:
2 years - 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 |
|---|---|
| Assist customers with allergy relief products | Core |
| Assist customers with analgesic and anti-inflammatory products | Core |
| Assist customers with cough and cold relief products | Core |
| Assist customers with prescriptions | Core |
| Assist customers with products for gastro-intestinal conditions | Core |
| Assist customers with skin and anti-fungal products | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| Provide and promote services to pharmacy customers | Core |
| Support the supply of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines | Core |
| Use pharmacy practices for infection control | Core |
| Work effectively in a community pharmacy | Core |
| Advise on beauty products and services | Elective |
| Assist customers with baby and infant care products | Elective |
| Assist customers with eye and ear care products | Elective |
| Assist customers with first aid products | Elective |
| Assist customers with oral care products | Elective |
| Assist customers with pregnancy and maternal health products and services | Elective |
| Assist customers with smoking cessation products | Elective |
| Assist customers with vitamins, minerals and supplements | Elective |
| Assist customers with women's and men's health care products | Elective |
| Assist in dispensing prescriptions | Elective |
| Balance and secure point-of-sale terminal | Elective |
| Build customer relationships and loyalty | Elective |
| Control stock | Elective |
| Deliver medicines to customers outside the pharmacy | Elective |
| Design and apply make-up | Elective |
| Follow point-of-sale procedures | Elective |
| Manage disrespectful, aggressive or abusive customers | Elective |
| Organise personal work priorities and development | Elective |
| Pierce ear lobes | Elective |
| Produce visual merchandise displays | Elective |
| Receive and handle retail stock | Elective |
| Recognise healthy body systems | Elective |
| Support marketing and promotional activities | Elective |
| Work with diverse people | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Community Pharmacy 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 Community Pharmacy
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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ACP TRAINING (RTO code 0452)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN VOCATIONAL ACADEMY (RTO code 0826)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA (RTO code 122206)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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ALPINE EDUCATION (RTO code 41511)
Contact this provider
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Australasian College of Pharmacy (RTO code 88112)
Contact this provider
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Care Academy NSW Pty Ltd (RTO code 90166)
Contact this provider
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Formation Training (RTO code 40686)
Contact this provider
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Gateway Training Academy Pty Ltd (RTO code 32305)
Contact this provider
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Licences 4 Work (RTO code 91413)
Contact this provider
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THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLORS (RTO code 0670)
Contact this provider
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TIME Education and Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 40058)
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.