How to become a Community Pharmacy Technician
Also called: Dispensary Assistant, Dispensary Technician
Dispenses and labels patients' prescriptions and scheduled medicines under the supervision of a Community Pharmacist.
Main tasks
- Assists Community Pharmacists in dispensing and labelling prescription medication for patients
- Assists Community Pharmacists in conducting medical history for all patients taking scheduled medications
- Assists with labelling Pharmacist Only Medicines under the direction and supervision of a Community Pharmacist
- Provides advice on appropriate health information, medication and other conditions to patients
- Maintains stock of non-prescription and prescription medication
- Prepares medication in dosage administration aids
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support (HLT37121); Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary (SIR40216); Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support (HLT47121)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $80,028 a year
- About 41,900 people work in this job group now, and about 49,200 are projected by 2035. (+17.4%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Community Pharmacy Technician?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support; Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary.
How much does a Community Pharmacy Technician earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $80,028 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Community Pharmacy Technician a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2035, from about 41,900 to about 49,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Community Pharmacy Technician?
Usually not. Only 22% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support; Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary.
Will AI change the work of a Community Pharmacy Technician?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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