At the Branch's Annual Dinner on 15 October 2025, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith gave the green-light to ACT pharmacists wishing to enrol in approved full-scope of practice training. Please read the Minister's media release.
The Minister said that the Health Directorate is currently considering the best mechanism to enable ACT community pharmacists completing post-graduate qualifications, including in Queensland and the courses starting next year in New South Wales to participate in expanded scope activities in the ACT. The Directorate will provide more details as soon as possible as they are aware that community pharmacists will be keen to understand training requirements and which training pathways will be recognised.
To date, the NSW Government has recognised James Cook University as an approved training course. The NSW Government has acknowledged that the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of Newcastle will be providing approved courses commencing early next year.
The Minister also announced expansion in scope of practice for graduate certificate trained pharmacists for the following conditions:
- Mild, acute musculoskeletal pain,
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease,
- Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis,
- Acne, and
- Acute nausea and vomiting.
The authorisation for these services is anticipated to be available in early 2026.
The Pharmacy Vaccination Standards will be amended ahead of the 2026 influenza season to enable pharmacists and intern pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to children from 2 years and older.
With ACT influenza coverage rates this year for those under 5 at 48.2%, compared with 26.1% nationally, the ACT will not be publicly funding an intranasal FluMist® vaccine program in 2026. FluMist® will be available to purchase privately and no changes are required to the Vaccination Standards. This means that pharmacists are authorised to administer a nasal spray vaccine.