How to become a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant

Assists customers in the sale of medicines, health items, pharmaceutical goods and access to medical services in a community pharmacy.

Main tasks

• Sells goods such as non-prescription drugs, health and first aid supplies, toiletries and cosmetics
• Receives payment for goods and services by a variety of payment methods, and prepares sales invoices
• Promotes goods and services that are for sale
• Assists with the management of stock by ordering and receiving items for sale and by participating in stocktakes
• Rotates, replenishes and presents goods for sale
• Accepts prescriptions for dispensing by Community Pharmacists
• Determines customer requirements and advises customers on the selection, price and usage of non-prescription medicines
• Advises customers on the correct use and storage of medicines
• Assists pharmacist with the delivery of professional pharmacy services

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy (SIR20116); Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (SIR30116); Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support (HLT37121); Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy (SIR40116); Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary (SIR40216); Certificate II in Retail Services (SIR20216); Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support (HLT47121)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $57,824 a year
• About 42,500 people work in this job group now, and about 45,300 are projected by 2035. (+6.5%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant?

Ways in include: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy; Certificate III in Community Pharmacy.

How much does a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $57,824 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 42,500 to about 45,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant?

Usually not. Only 13% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Community Pharmacy; Certificate III in Community Pharmacy.

Will AI change the work of a Community Pharmacy Sales Assistant?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04