What can pharmacists prescribe in Australia? State by state

Can a pharmacist prescribe medicine?

Yes, for a short list of conditions, if they’ve done extra training and your state allows it. Every state and territory now lets trained pharmacists treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women and resupply some contraceptive pills. Some go much further. The rules differ from state to state and are changing quickly, so this guide gives them as at October 2026.

Some medicines need no script at all, only a talk with the pharmacist. The emergency contraceptive pill (the morning-after pill) is one: you can buy it at any pharmacy without a prescription, after the pharmacist asks you a few questions.

What can pharmacists treat in each state?

Not every pharmacy offers these services. The pharmacist needs the extra training, and the pharmacy needs a private consultation room, so call ahead.

New South Wales

Trained pharmacists can treat:

• uncomplicated UTIs, in women aged 18 to 65
• flare-ups of mild to moderate eczema, from age 2 to 65
• impetigo (school sores), from age 2
• shingles, from age 18
• flare-ups of mild plaque psoriasis, from age 18.

They can also continue hormonal contraception (some pills, the vaginal ring and the contraceptive injection) for women aged 18 to 49 who have taken it continuously for two years, as prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

A small number of pharmacists trained in Queensland can treat more, including reflux, hay fever (rhinitis), acne, and nausea and vomiting. In April 2026, the NSW Government announced that pharmacists with a graduate certificate in prescribing will be able to start the pill for women over 18 at lower risk of complications, and that it will pay for the first 5,000 consultations.

See pharmacies in New South Wales.

Victoria

Under the Community Pharmacist Program, promoted as Chemist Care Now, participating pharmacists can:

• treat uncomplicated UTIs
• start the contraceptive pill, and resupply some pills, the vaginal ring and the contraceptive injection
• resupply menopausal hormone therapy
• treat shingles, impetigo, mild acne, flare-ups of dermatitis and of mild plaque psoriasis
• treat reflux (GORD) and mild, recent muscle or joint pain.

Some pharmacist immunisers can also give travel vaccines, such as hepatitis A and typhoid. The program is still growing, with new services added through 2026. The Better Health Channel’s Chemist Care Now page lists participating chemists.

See pharmacies in Victoria.

Queensland

Trained pharmacists have treated uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65 since 2020, permanently since 2022. They can also start and continue hormonal contraception, for women aged 16 and over, and treat:

• ear infections (of the outer and middle ear), shingles, impetigo, acne and dermatitis
• flare-ups of mild plaque psoriasis, and minor wounds
• reflux, nausea and vomiting, and hay fever (rhinitis)
• mild, recent muscle or joint pain.

They also offer help with weight, quitting smoking, travel health, and oral health checks with fluoride. All of these became standard pharmacy services on 1 July 2025, after a pilot.

Until 30 June 2027, a pilot at participating pharmacies also lets trained pharmacists help manage blood pressure and cholesterol (ages 18 to 79), asthma (16 to 65) and COPD (35 and over). It isn’t covered by Medicare.

See pharmacies in Queensland.

South Australia

Since 1 March 2024, trained pharmacists can treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65, with or without a Medicare card. Since 6 May 2024, they can resupply the pill for women aged 17 to 50 who have taken the same pill for two years and had it reviewed by a doctor or other prescriber in that time. They give one pack at a time, and up to 12 months in all for women aged 17 to 40.

A wider scheme, with more conditions, is now law. A small number of pharmacies were expected to start offering it in early 2026, with more later in 2026 and in early 2027.

See pharmacies in South Australia.

Western Australia

Trained pharmacists can treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65, and resupply the pill for women aged 16 to 39 who have taken the same pill for two years and had it reviewed by a doctor or nurse practitioner in that time.

A pilot letting pharmacists treat more conditions, such as muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and wounds, is expected to start in late 2026 or 2027, once pharmacists finish their training.

See pharmacies in Western Australia.

Tasmania

Trained pharmacists have treated uncomplicated UTIs since March 2024. Since July 2024, they can extend a pill prescription for another 12 months when it runs out. And since December 2025, pharmacists with the right training can start and continue hormonal contraception.

Tasmanian pharmacists can also extend most prescriptions by a month if you’ve had trouble getting to a GP. The government is funding further training so that pharmacists can treat more conditions, such as ear infections, reflux and shingles.

See pharmacies in Tasmania.

Australian Capital Territory

Trained pharmacists can treat uncomplicated UTIs in women and people with a uterus aged 18 to 65. They can resupply the pill, for up to 12 months, to women aged 18 to 49 who have been prescribed it continuously for two years. They can only give you the pill you were already taking.

ACT Government Walk-in Centres also treat UTIs.

See pharmacies in the ACT.

Northern Territory

Trained pharmacists in the NT can treat uncomplicated UTIs, give a wider range of vaccines, and start or resupply the pill. They can also treat the same 16 conditions and services as in Queensland, from ear infections and shingles to travel health. They can help manage medicines for heart health, asthma and COPD, such as when a medicine is in short supply.

See pharmacies in the Northern Territory.

What does it cost?

Expect two costs. The pharmacy can charge a consultation fee, which it should tell you before you start. And any medicine you’re given isn’t subsidised by the PBS, so you pay the private price, and it doesn’t count towards your PBS Safety Net. A bulk-billing GP may cost you less.

That will change for some women. From January 2027, a 12-month federal trial will let women aged 18 to 55 with a concession card get contraceptives and UTI treatments prescribed by a pharmacist for $7.70.

How do I find a pharmacist who can help?

Call the pharmacy first and ask whether a trained pharmacist is on, whether you need to book, and what it costs. Find pharmacies near you, with their phone numbers and opening hours.

If the pharmacist decides your condition needs a doctor, they’ll refer you to your GP or another service. For advice at any hour, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call 000.