How to become a pharmacist
Interested in a career in pharmacy? Learn how to become a pharmacist at one of Australia’s leading medical schools.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in our health system. They work alongside doctors and nurses, help patients understand their treatments, and ensure medications are used safely and effectively.
As experts in medicines, pharmacists apply their knowledge of how drugs are developed, how they function in the body, and how to use them safely. Their work blends science, clinical care and communication to improve health outcomes across the community.
Right now, pharmacists are in high demand. Australia needs around 1,800 new pharmacists each year to meet growing healthcare needs (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). If you're interested in a career that combines scientific expertise with real-world impact, pharmacy could be the right path for you.
At UNSW, you'll gain the knowledge, experience and support to launch a successful career in pharmacy. You’ll study at one of Australia’s top medical faculties and the fifth-best university for pharmacy nationwide (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
In this guide, we’ll explore what pharmacists do, the skills you’ll need, the qualifications required and the career opportunities ahead.
What do pharmacists do?
Pharmacists do far more than dispense prescriptions. They play an essential role in supporting safe medication use, helping patients understand their treatments and guiding other health professionals with expert advice. A career in pharmacy has a far-reaching impact – from preventing disease to improving everyday health outcomes.
In community pharmacies (often called “chemists” in Australasia), pharmacists review prescriptions, prepare medications, and monitor drug therapies. They provide health advice, give vaccinations and support people with chronic conditions or complex treatment plans.
In hospitals, pharmacists work as part of clinical teams. They review medication safety, offer guidance on drug interactions and help inform ongoing treatment decisions. They also help train other healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and medical students.
With a pharmacy qualification from UNSW, you’ll be prepared for roles in community pharmacy, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and beyond. The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy equips you with the clinical, communication skills and practical experience to thrive in the profession.
What’s the difference between a pharmacist and a chemist?
Not sure what the difference is between a pharmacist and a chemist? It’s simple: Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, while chemists are scientists.
In many countries – including Australia, New Zealand, and the UK – the term "chemist" is also commonly used to refer to community pharmacies, even though the two roles are different.
| Pharmacist | Chemist |
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What skills do you need to be a pharmacist?
Clinical expertise and communication skills are critical to a successful career in pharmacy. These skills can be developed through your pharmacy studies at UNSW, supervised training and patient interaction.
| Soft skills | Clinical skills |
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What qualifications do you need to become a pharmacist?
To become a pharmacist in Australia, you’ll need to complete an accredited degree, followed by practical training and national registration.
Most students start with a Bachelor of Pharmacy or a related program that meets the accreditation standards set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. At UNSW, this pathway is delivered through the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy, combining strong scientific foundations with clinical learning.
After graduating, you’ll complete a supervised internship year under the guidance of a registered pharmacist. You’ll also need to pass the Pharmacy Board’s registration exams to become fully qualified.
Steps to become a pharmacist in Australia
A pharmacy qualification is essential to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. You’ll also need to complete supervised training and an internship, which form part of your Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy at UNSW.
Undergraduate pathway
- Complete an accredited pharmacy degree
Start by enrolling in an accredited program, such as UNSW’s Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy. This degree is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
As you near the end of your degree, you’ll apply for provisional registration with the PBA. This allows you to begin your supervised internship under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
The APC accredits pharmacy education and training programs in Australia. The PBA sets the standards for the profession and oversees registration. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works with the PBA to maintain a safe and competent health workforce.
- Complete an internship and intern training program
You’ll complete 1824 hours of supervised practice and an accredited intern training program, which are both integrated into UNSW’s pharmacy degree. Supervised practice must be approved by the PBA and the training program must meet APC standards.
- Pass the registration exams
To qualify for general registration, you must pass both a written examination and an oral (practice) exam administered by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Once completed, you’ll be fully registered to practise as a pharmacist in Australia.
Postgraduate pathway
If you’ve already completed a degree in a related field, you may be eligible to enter pharmacy through a postgraduate pathway.
This typically includes studying bridging subjects to build the foundational knowledge required for pharmacy practice. You’ll still need to complete clinical placements and the required internship year to become a pharmacist in Australia.
Once you've completed the supervised practice requirements and passed the written and oral exams, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and begin your career as a pharmacist.
Mapping your career in pharmacy
Pharmacy is a diverse and evolving profession. Most pharmacists begin their careers in community or hospital settings, where they build core clinical and patient-care skills. From there, you could pursue roles in specialist practice areas, research, regulation, leadership, education and industry.
With a pharmacy degree from UNSW, you’ll be prepared for a career that goes far beyond dispensing. You could work in clinical practice, contribute to public health policy, develop new medicines, or even advise governments.
UNSW has been recognised for producing Australia’s most employable students for seven years in a row (AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2026) and is ranked #1 for career outcomes (AFR Best Universities Ranking, 2025) and #1 in Australia for employability (QS World University Rankings, 2026).
Jobs in pharmacy
Here are just some of the career paths you can pursue with a pharmacy degree.
| Role | Duties |
| Community pharmacist | Dispense medications, provide health advice and support patients at the frontline of care. |
| Hospital pharmacist | Manage complex treatments, advise on medicine safety and work closely with doctors and nurses. |
| Consultant pharmacist | Conduct medication reviews, particularly for older patients, and advise on safe use. |
| Pharmaceutical industry | Work in drug development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, or medical marketing. |
| Clinical trials pharmacist | Help design, manage and monitor clinical research involving new medicines. |
| Regulatory pharmacist | Ensure medicines meet safety, legal and quality standards before reaching patients. |
| Medicines information pharmacist | Provide up-to-date, evidence-based advice on medications to health professionals. |
| Academic or research pharmacist | Teach future pharmacists or conduct research to advance pharmacy practice. |
| Digital health pharmacist | Work on e-health systems, tele-pharmacy and the safe use of digital medication tools. |
| Military pharmacist | Deliver pharmacy services in defence settings, both in Australia and overseas. |
| Aged care pharmacist | Optimise medicine use in aged care facilities and support safe prescribing. |
| General practice pharmacist | Work within GP clinics to assist with medication management and patient education. |
| Policy or government advisor | Shape healthcare policy and contribute to public health through government roles. |
FAQs about becoming a pharmacist
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It takes five years of full-time study and practical training to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. This includes four years of academic learning and one year of supervised internship, both built into the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy.
The program is hands-on, with seven professional practice courses that develop your clinical confidence. If you enter through a postgraduate pathway, the structure may differ slightly, but you’ll still complete the same internship and registration steps.
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Yes – international students can study pharmacy in Australia by enrolling in an accredited degree that meets the standards of the Pharmacy Board of Australia. At UNSW, international students receive support throughout their pharmacy journey, from enrolment to internship and registration.
To study pharmacy in Australia at UNSW, you must meet English language requirements and ensure your visa conditions permit the required study and work components.
If you plan to work as a pharmacist overseas, be aware that registration requirements differ by country. You may need to meet additional local criteria.
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Curious about typical pharmacist salaries in Australia? It varies depending on your experience, location and area of practice. Pharmacists are in high demand, with a projected job growth of 9% over the next five years (Seek, 2025). Opportunities to move into specialised or leadership roles can increase your earning potential.
Here are the average annual salaries for common pharmaceutical roles in Australia*:
- Community pharmacists – $95,000 to $115,000 per year
- Pharmacy technicians – $70,000 to $80,000.
- Hospital pharmacists – $95,000 to $105,000
- Pharmacy managers – $115,000 to $135,000
UNSW graduates also lead the way in earnings, with the highest median salaries among Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023).
*Figures are based on publicly available data from Seek in 2025. We aim to keep salary information as current as possible.
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If you're seeking a career that combines scientific knowledge with real-world impact, pharmacy could be the path for you. As a pharmacist, you'll play an essential role in improving health outcomes for our communities.
At UNSW, our pharmacy program is designed to meet the needs of modern healthcare in Australia, preparing you to make meaningful contributions in clinical, community and policy environments. Whether you aim to positively impact the health sector, enhance medication safety, or support public health at a broader scale, a career in pharmacy provides the chance to genuinely make a difference in the world.
How UNSW will prepare you for your future in pharmacy
UNSW is recognised as one of the world’s top medical schools, ranked #5 in Australia in Australia for life sciences and medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026). As part of a leading health faculty, you’ll join a vibrant community committed to solving real-world health challenges. We work closely with top hospitals, health organisations and pharmaceutical partners to connect your studies with real industry experience.
Our five-year pharmacy program is designed around practical, hands-on learning from the very first year. You’ll participate in clinical placements across various settings, including a rural or remote placement in your final year. These immersive experiences enable you to apply your learning in real-world contexts and boost your confidence to transition smoothly into your intern year and beyond.
Through an integrated professional practice stream, you’ll learn alongside students in allied health disciplines like dietetics, physiotherapy and exercise physiology. You’ll also have access to leading research facilities and opportunities to explore evidence-based practice, preparing you for a successful career in pharmacy.
Launch a career in pharmacy at UNSW
A successful pharmacy career begins with a stellar education. UNSW’s Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine / Master of Pharmacy provides a direct pathway to a rewarding career as a pharmacist. Learn more and apply today.
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