Australia needs qualified pharmacists — particularly in regional areas and hospital settings. Here's the full pathway for internationally trained pharmacists, from AHPRA assessment to visa lodgement.
Is Pharmacy in Demand in Australia?
Yes. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia and state health departments regularly report shortages, especially:
In rural and remote locations where dispensing services are limited
Hospital pharmacy settings experiencing high turnover
Aged care facilities requiring on-site or consultant pharmacist services
Median pharmacist salaries in Australia range from AUD $80,000 to $110,000, with senior roles in hospitals reaching AUD $120,000+.
Which Visa Can Pharmacists Apply For?
Pharmacist — ANZSCO 251513 — is on the MLTSSL, enabling:
Subclass 189 — independent skilled migration
Subclass 190 — state nominated (5 bonus points)
Subclass 491 — regional skilled (15 bonus points)
Subclass 482 — employer sponsored (4-year, with 186 PR pathway)
Assessment and Registration: AHPRA and APC
To practise as a pharmacist in Australia, you must:
Apply to the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) for an assessment of your qualifications
The APC determines whether your overseas degree is substantially equivalent to an Australian pharmacy degree
If substantially equivalent, AHPRA (via the Pharmacy Board of Australia) registers you
If not fully equivalent, you may need to complete bridging assessments or additional exams
The assessment process typically takes 3–6 months.
English Requirements
Pharmacy Board of Australia minimum English requirements for registration:
IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0 with no individual band below 7.0
OET Pharmacy: B in all four components
These are higher than standard immigration English requirements — begin preparing early.
Points Score for Pharmacists
FactorPointsAge 25–3230Bachelor of Pharmacy15Superior English (IELTS 8.0)205–8 years experience10State nomination (190)5Total80
80 points is highly competitive and generally receives an invitation in most monthly rounds.
Regional Pharmacy Incentives
Rural and regional pharmacies are under the most pressure. The 491 regional visa — with 15 bonus points — means many pharmacists who cannot reach 65 points for the 189/190 can access the regional pathway. Several states actively nominate pharmacists for regional posts.
How NWI Helps
Our team coordinates the APC assessment, IELTS strategy, and visa application so nothing is missed. We've helped health professionals across multiple disciplines navigate AHPRA and the Australian immigration system from assessment to arrival.