The role of community pharmacy in primary health care

In Australia, community pharmacists are increasingly recognised as an essential part of the frontline healthcare system. They are delivering a broad range of primary health services, more so than ever before.

Queensland pharmacists are leading the way and can now prescribe and manage treatment for a range of everyday health conditions. Enabling pharmacists in other states and territories to provide these same services will provide patients with universal access to health services regardless of where they live, be it within a city or in regional and rural areas.

Pharmacists’ ability to extend into the far reaches of Australian communities is unique. A high proportion of the Australian population have access to a community pharmacy within a 2.5-5km radius of where they live. It just makes sense to utilise this network of trained professionals who stand ready to do more.

Contact us

Email: scope@guild.org.au

Scope of Practice - State & Territory Progress

The interactive tool below shows the progress of each state and territory.

You can hover over each bar to see the types of the service offered, and click on the bar to see a detailed breakdown.

Last updated: 21 Mar 2025

Below is further information about the latest initiatives being conducted and changes to permanent practice across the country. Select a state to access resources and information specific to that location.

  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA

ACT

Services offered

Permanent Practice

  • Urinary Tract Infection

Pilot services

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Impetigo
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

Planned services (with Government commitment)

  • Acute minor wound management
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Acute otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
  • COPD
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Management for overweight and obesity
  • Mild to moderate acne

NSW

Services offered

Permanent Practice

  • Urinary Tract Infection

Pilot services

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Impetigo
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

Planned services (with Government commitment)

  • Acute minor wound management
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Acute otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
  • COPD
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Management for overweight and obesity
  • Mild to moderate acne

NT

Services offered

Permanent Practice

  • Urinary Tract Infection

Planned services (with Government commitment)

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Acute minor wound management
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Acute otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
  • COPD
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Hormonal contraception - initiation and resupply
  • Impetigo
  • Management for overweight and obesity
  • Medication management (therapeutic substitution, therapeutic adaptation, medicine continuation
  • Mild to moderate acne
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
  • Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
  • Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
  • Smoking cessation
  • Travel health

QLD

From July 1st 2025, 16 services currently offered under a pilot, will be moved to permanent practice for trained pharmacists in Queensland.

See Media Release

Services offered

Permanent Practice

  • Urinary Tract Infection

Pilot services

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Acute minor wound management
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Acute otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular Disease (T2D, hypertension, dyslipidaemia)
  • COPD
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Hormonal contraception - initiation and resupply
  • Impetigo
  • Management for overweight and obesity
  • Medication management (therapeutic substitution, therapeutic adaptation, medicine continuation
  • Mild to moderate acne
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
  • Mild acute musculoskeletal pain
  • Oral health risk assessment and fluoride application
  • Smoking cessation
  • Travel health

SA

Services offered

Permanent Practice

  • Urinary Tract Infection

Planned services (with Government commitment)

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Acute minor wound management
  • Acute nausea and vomiting
  • Acute otitis externa
  • Acute otitis media
  • Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Impetigo
  • Mild to moderate acne
  • Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
  • Mild acute musculoskeletal pain

TAS

Services offered

Pilot services

  • Urinary Tract Infection

VIC

Services offered

Pilot services

  • Acute exacerbations of mild plaque psoriasis
  • Herpes zoster (shingles)
  • Travel health
  • Urinary Tract Infection

WA