How to become a pharmacy assistant in Australia + Salary & pay
Learn how to become a pharmacy assistant in Australia. Find relevant qualifications, job tips, salary, pay rate & how to progress in your career.
Medicines will always play a vital role in people’s lives and so will the pharmacy professionals who provide them. With the right pharmacy assistant qualifications, you can step into the industry and enjoy the rewarding experience of helping patients directly, every day.
But you might be wondering: do you need qualifications to be a pharmacy assistant? And what’s a reasonable salary? In this guide, we’ll answer those questions and share practical insights into how to become a pharmacy assistant in Australia.
What is a pharmacy assistant and what do they do?
If you’re thinking about becoming a pharmacy assistant, your role will be all about supporting both the pharmacist and the patients they care for. You’ll help prepare medications, keep accurate records and serve as a friendly face for customers who need guidance.
The pharmacist is responsible for the final checks, dosages and dispensing of medicines, but as an assistant to them, you’ll play a vital part in making sure everything runs smoothly.
With these skills, you’ll be able to find work in a variety of settings, from community and independent pharmacies to hospital dispensaries, giving you flexibility and choice in your career path.
Pharmacy assistant duties and responsibilities
The responsibilities of a pharmacy assistant can look a little different depending on the pharmacist, the workplace, and the customers they serve. That said, most roles include the following core duties:
Preparing medicines under the supervision of a pharmacist
Ordering, receiving and organising stock for the pharmacy
Handling sales of prescription and over-the-counter medications
Giving patients basic information about their medications
Keeping records of inventory, transactions and other data
As an assistant, you won’t be working solo, you’ll always be part of a team, supporting and working under the guidance of a pharmacist.
Is the pharmacy assistant role in demand in Australia?
Healthcare professional roles are always in demand and pharmacy assistants are no exception. Right now, there are more than 41,000 pharmacy assistants working across Australia, and around 1,800 new positions open up every year. That’s steady growth of about 4.6%.
So, if you get qualified and build the right skills, you won’t be short of opportunities. Job search platform Seek currently lists over 1,100 open pharmacy assistant positions in Australia.
What skills do you need?
When you’re exploring how to become a pharmacy assistant, the two biggest things you’ll focus on are your skills and qualifications.
You’ll need a solid understanding of medications and health, but just as importantly, you’ll need people skills, because you'll often be the first friendly face a customer sees.
Here are some of the key abilities you’ll develop:
Customer service: As a pharmacy assistant, you’ll be dealing with people all day. Your role is to make customers feel comfortable, supported, and well looked after.
Product and health knowledge: You’ll need to know enough about medicines and health products to answer questions, keep stock organised, and support the pharmacist in preparing medications.
Communication skills: Clear, caring communication is essential. You’ll often be the one explaining dosages, directions, and the pharmacist’s advice in a way that customers can easily understand.
Attention to detail: Accuracy matters. Whether it’s managing stock, recording information, or helping calculate dosages, being detail-oriented is a big part of keeping everything running smoothly.
Working well under pressure: It’s a customer-facing role, and not every customer will be easygoing. A good pharmacy assistant knows how to stay calm, professional, and solution-focused even in stressful moments.
Some of these skills you’ll build through formal pharmacy assistant courses, while others come from on-the-job experience once you land your first role. Over time, the mix of technical knowledge and soft skills will make you a confident, capable pharmacy professional.
Pharmacy assistant salary: How much pharmacy assistants earn
A pharmacy assistant’s pay rate can vary quite a bit depending on your situation. On average across Australia, the weekly pharmacy assistant salary is around $932, which adds up to about $48,464 per year.
So, what kind of pay rate should you expect in your first role? It depends on a few key factors:
Location: Pay rates aren’t the same everywhere. Where you live (and how much demand there is for pharmacy assistants in that area) can influence your salary.
Experience level: Like in most careers, the more experience you have, the more valuable you are to employers. An experienced assistant can take on more responsibility and often earns more than someone just starting out.
Qualifications held: Having pharmacy assistant qualifications shows employers you’ve already got the knowledge and skills to hit the ground running. That means less training for them — and often a higher rate for you.
Type of employer: Larger organisations like hospitals or private pharmacy chains may offer higher salaries than small, independent pharmacies.
Shift times: Sometimes, when you work matters too. Evening, weekend, or holiday shifts can sometimes come with higher pay.
While the average figures give you a good starting point, your actual salary will reflect a mix of these factors. The more skills and experience you build, the stronger your earning potential becomes.
Pharmacy assistant pay rate
Here’s a closer look at what a pharmacy assistant pay rate might look like, depending on your level of experience and the hours or shifts you work. Like many roles in healthcare, your earnings can change based on whether you’re new to the job, have built up a few years of experience, or are taking on evening, weekend, or holiday shifts. These factors all play a role in how much you’ll take home each week.
If you’d like to dig deeper into the details — including the most up-to-date award rates for full-time employees, casuals, interns, and junior rates by age — you can download the official Fair Work pay rate guide for pharmacy assistants in Australia here.
However, a quick overview of full time and part time employee pay rates are below.
Source: FairWork Ombudsman
How to become a pharmacy assistant
Technically, you don’t need formal training or qualifications to start working as a pharmacy assistant. Some pharmacies will hire people with no prior experience and train them on the job.
That said, most pharmacists prefer someone who already has the skills and knowledge to step in and contribute from day one. Having a recognised pharmacy assistant qualification shows that you understand medications, customer service, and pharmacy processes and it makes you a much stronger candidate.
If you’re applying with a certification, you’ll immediately stand out from other applicants and improve your chances of landing the role.
1. Choose the right qualification
So, which qualifications are helpful for becoming a good pharmacy assistant? The best place to start is with nationally recognised training from a vocational school. These courses give you a smooth path toward a pharmacy career and show employers you’re job-ready.
One of the most common options is the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (SIR30116). This program covers the essentials, including pharmacy operations, customer service and the safe handling of medicines and health products
2. Get experience with an entry-level role
While certification will give you an advantage, it’s not the only way to step into a pharmacy assistant role. Building hands-on experience is just as valuable. Here are a few ways you can get started:
Apply for part-time or casual roles in pharmacies. These entry-level jobs help you learn the basics in a lower-pressure environment before moving into full-time work.
Volunteer in community health settings. Volunteering lets you develop practical skills while also strengthening your communication and empathy.
Demonstrate customer service skills. Even outside of healthcare, roles in retail or hospitality can help you hone the service skills that pharmacists are looking for.
Tips for job interviews in pharmacy
When you land an interview, it’s your chance to show employers that you know how to be a good pharmacy assistant. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Go beyond the certificate. Don’t just list your qualifications. Share the specific skills you learned and how they’ll help you in the role.
Highlight customer service experience. Even if it’s from retail or hospitality, these skills transfer directly to pharmacy work.
Show your willingness to learn. Employers want to know you’re committed to growing in the role and in the industry.
Before the interview, make a list of your skills and experiences, both pharmacy-related and general, so you won’t forget to mention anything important.
Pharmacy assistant FAQs
Do you need qualifications to be a pharmacy assistant?
While you don't legally need certification to become a pharmacy assistant in Australia, a Certificate in Community Pharmacy can give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Can you be a pharmacy assistant with no experience?
Yes, you can work as a pharmacy assistant in a training or apprenticeship role. You can also start as a volunteer or part-time employee to learn the job.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy assistant?
If you study online with IAH, it takes 12 months to complete the Certificate III program.
Can pharmacy assistants prescribe medicine?
No, pharmacy assistants don’t and can’t prescribe medications. They may only prepare prescriptions under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
What is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacy assistant?
A pharmacist is a board-certified professional with a Master of Pharmacy degree. They can prepare medications and dosages for patients and oversee pharmacy operations. A pharmacy assistant helps the pharmacist but doesn't dispense individual advice or prepare medications independently.
Start your pharmacy assistant career journey today
A pharmacy assistant is an entry point into a rewarding and in-demand profession. With the right qualifications, you can launch a successful career in a pharmacy. If you're ready to get started, explore courses or contact us to talk to a career advisor today.
