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 senior pharmacy assistants who use sound knowledge of a broad range of pharmacy products and health care support services. Some senior pharmacy assistants may take a lead role in coordinating front of pharmacy business activities.
Depending on the job role, they work under the overall or direct supervision of a pharmacist, and may have team leading or supervisory responsibilities.
Senior 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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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 has entry requirements. See more information at the National Training Register
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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:
6 months – 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 in managing Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines | Core |
| Lead team effectiveness | Core |
| Maintain work health and safety | Core |
| Administer dispensary computer systems and claims | Elective |
| Analyse and present research information | Elective |
| Assist customers with asthma-care aids and equipment | Elective |
| Assist customers with complementary medicines | Elective |
| Assist customers with continence management products | Elective |
| Assist customers with diet, nutrition and weight-management products and services | 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 customers with wound care products | Elective |
| Assist in dispensing prescriptions | Elective |
| Assist in preparing dose administration aids | Elective |
| Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions | Elective |
| Build customer relationships and loyalty | Elective |
| Control stock | Elective |
| Coordinate a pharmacy quality system | Elective |
| Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies | Elective |
| Coordinate pharmacy health promotions | Elective |
| Coordinate service to residential care facilities | Elective |
| Deliver medicines to customers outside the pharmacy | Elective |
| Develop a pharmacy product and service range | Elective |
| Implement continuous improvement | Elective |
| Lead and develop pharmacy teams | Elective |
| Maintain dispensary stock | Elective |
| Maintain employee relations | Elective |
| Maintain store security | Elective |
| Manage disrespectful, aggressive or abusive customers | Elective |
| Manage pharmacy premises, equipment and merchandise | Elective |
| Manage pharmacy sales and service delivery | Elective |
| Manage workplace responses to disrespectful aggressive or abusive customer behaviour. | Elective |
| Process payroll | Elective |
| Provide Australian Needle and Syringe Program services | Elective |
| Provide personal leadership | Elective |
| Recognise healthy body systems | Elective |
| Supply and hire home health care aids and equipment | Elective |
| Support the management of obstructive sleep apnoea | Elective |
| Support the recruitment, selection and induction of staff | Elective |
| Test blood glucose and advise on equipment and services for diabetes management | Elective |
| Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoring | Elective |
| Use pharmacy practices for infection control | Elective |
| Work legally and ethically | Elective |
| Work with diverse people | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Other Health and Welfare Services Manager
ANZSCO 134299
Other Health and Welfare Services Managers includes jobs like Director of Pharmacy, Director of Physiotherapy Services, Director of Speech Pathology, Manager of Allied Health Services, and Medical Corps Officer (Army).
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Retail Manager (General)
ANZSCO 142111
Retail Managers (General) manage retail trading establishments.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
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 -
Retail Supervisor
ANZSCO 621511
Retail Supervisors supervise and coordinate the activities of retail sales workers.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate IV 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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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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Gateway Training Academy Pty Ltd (RTO code 32305)
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.