Pharmacists across Australia can access thousands of dollars in government funding to complete PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing. But what’s covered varies between jurisdictions.
For pharmacists looking to expand their scope of practice, postgraduate training in pharmacist prescribing can incur a significant financial commitment.
However, several states and territories are helping pharmacists meet those costs through scholarships or subsidies, with funding ranging from $5,000 to more than $12,000 – depending on the jurisdiction and location.
The funding arrangements are not uniform; some programs provide more funding for pharmacists working in rural and regional areas, while others are available to pharmacists who have already enrolled in an approved course.
Here is where pharmacists can access funding to become prescribers.
Western Australia
For pharmacists in Western Australia, subsidised places are available for pharmacists enrolling in PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing under the Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot.
A minimum of 30 places is available for the first tranche of pharmacists to enrol in PSA’s prescribing course, with a view for more subsidised places down the line.
The subsidised amount on offer is based on the pharmacist’s primary practice location, including up to:
- $8,500 for pharmacists practising in metro and major regional areas
- $12,495 for those in rural and remote areas.
But applications are closing soon. Pharmacists have until 5.00 pm on 18 September 2026 to receive funding to enrol in PSA’s prescribing course.
Click here to apply for a subsidised place in PSA’s prescribing course.
Queensland
Queensland-based pharmacists can access a government-funded training subsidy of up to $7,000 to complete PSA’s pharmacist prescribing training through the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot.
The funding is administered by the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) on behalf of Queensland Health.
There is no fixed statewide closing date for eligible pharmacists to apply for a subsidy, with funding available until the allocated funds are exhausted.
The Queensland Government originally committed $6 million to support pharmacist training under the pilot.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory government is providing up to $8,500 per pharmacist to complete PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing, administered by the ACP.
The NT Government’s funding agreement with the ACP runs until 31 December 2026.
South Australia
The South Australian government is offering training subsidies for up to 240 community pharmacists to become pharmacist prescribers over 3 years.
The subsidy is based on the pharmacist’s practice location:
- $7,000 for Greater Adelaide, regional centres and large rural towns
- $8,500 small rural and remote areas.
Approved postgraduate courses currently include programs from Adelaide University, James Cook University, Monash University and the University of Western Australia. The PSA is awaiting approval for its Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing.
Tasmania
Tasmania awarded 150 postgraduate scholarships, worth up to $7,000 each, to community pharmacists to complete pharmacist prescriber training.
The scholarships provide $3,500 at enrolment and a further $3,500 after successful completion. The first 150 pharmacists were drawn from 110 pharmacies across the state.
Those scholarships have already been allocated. The Tasmanian Government has since committed a further $1 million in the 2026–27 Budget to support more pharmacists undertaking expanded-scope training – although further details are yet to be announced.
Victoria
Pharmacists in Victoria can access funding to undertake pharmacist prescribing training – but not through the Victorian government.
Rather, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Victorian Branch has committed $1.5 million to a Pharmacist Prescribing Training Fund.
Eligible Victorian Guild member pharmacists and their sponsored employees can receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement after successfully completing a recognised postgraduate pharmacist prescribing course – either PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing or other Australian Pharmacy Council-accredited courses.
The scholarship is limited to one pharmacist per member pharmacy and is available until the funding is exhausted.
What’s the eligibility criteria?
Pharmacists based in Western Australia, Queensland the Northern Territory and South Australia who want to receive funding to complete pharmacist prescribing training must:
- hold general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia without conditions on practice
- currently work in a community pharmacy in their state or territory
- pay back the subsidy if the course isn’t completed within 18 months of enrolling or starting.
But there also different conditions per jurisdiction, including:
- WA: pharmacists must have at least 6 months’ employment history, and must not have previously enrolled in a prescribing course
- QLD: pharmacists must already be enrolled in an approved course and reside in Queensland
- NT: while pharmacists must already be enrolled in an approved course to receive funding, they must not have completed a pharmacist prescribing course previously
- SA: pharmacists must have at least 6 months’ employment history and have employer support to provide expanded-scope services.
Find out more about PSA’s Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing here.
