A community pharmacy is any business that:

• is established to compound or dispense prescriptions or sell medicines or drugs (which may be alongside other retail goods) to the general public from the premises
• is registered as a pharmacy under the relevant state or territory legislation for regulation if required, and
• is not owned by a hospital or public institution or operated by the government.

Most employees in community pharmacies are covered by the Pharmacy Award, including pharmacy assistants and pharmacists.

Pharmacy assistants

Employees working in the retail area of a pharmacy are generally classified as pharmacy assistants.

Pharmacy assistants are classified according to:

• their competencies
• their qualifications
• the work they’re required to do.

Tip: Gaining the competencies to hold a particular certificate doesn’t mean employees need to have the qualification.

A Pharmacy assistant level 1 is an employee who:

• works as a pharmacy assistant
• doesn’t have the competencies to have a qualification in community pharmacy
• isn’t covered by any other classification in the award.

A Pharmacy assistant level 2 is an employee who:

• works as a pharmacy assistant
• has gained the competencies needed to hold a Certificate II in Community Pharmacy.

A Pharmacy assistant level 3 or Dispensary assistant level 3:

• has gained the competencies needed to hold a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
• is required by their employer to do the level of work of a Pharmacy or dispensary assistant level 3.

A Pharmacy assistant level 4 is an employee who:

• has gained the competencies needed to hold a Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy
• is required by their employer to work as a Pharmacy assistant level 4.

Example

Fox works as a team leader in a large community pharmacy. His duties include supervising 3 other Level 1 pharmacy assistants.

He doesn’t hold a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy, but he’s gained all the competencies needed to hold the Certificate III.

Fox is a Pharmacy assistant level 3.

Check the Pharmacy Award for full classification descriptions.

Pharmacies offering other services

Some pharmacies offer additional services that aren’t covered by the Pharmacy Award.

Coverage for employees who aren’t pharmacy assistants or pharmacists depends on:

• whether the community pharmacy offers services that are part of a different industry
• the type of work they do and their qualifications.

Hair and beauty services

The Hair and Beauty Award can cover employees working as beauticians and beauty therapists in a community pharmacy.

It doesn’t cover pharmacy assistants who give general advice on beauty products.

Example

Susanne is employed by a community pharmacy as a beauty therapist. She has a Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy.

She provides beauty services such as skin treatments, make-up artistry and piercing.

The Hair and Beauty Award covers Susanne. She’s classified as a Hair and beauty employee level 4.

Nurses

The Nurses Award can cover a nurse working in a community pharmacy.

Example

Keygan is a registered nurse, qualified to provide vaccinations.

They’re employed by a community pharmacy to provide vaccinations to customers.

Keygan is covered by the Nurses Award.

Other health services

The Health Services Award may cover health professionals employed by community pharmacies such as:

• naturopaths
• podiatrists
• aromatherapists.