Retail Pharmacist
A Retail Pharmacist dispenses prescription medications, provides health advice, and manages over-the-counter medicine sales in community pharmacies across Australia.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Consistent demand; community pharmacy is one of Australia's most accessible health services and faces workforce shortages in regional areas.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- APHAPHARMC
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | New South Wales | View nomination → |
| QLD | Queensland | View nomination → |
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
| TAS | Tasmania | View nomination → |
| ACT | Australian Capital Territory | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Dispense prescription medications and counsel patients on drug use
- Conduct MedsChecks, Diabetes MedsChecks, and other PBS-funded services
- Manage pharmacy stock, compliance, and cold chain storage
- Supervise pharmacy assistants and dispensary operations
Skills required
- Community pharmacy dispensing and patient counselling
- PBS claims and government pharmacy services
- Pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction management
- AHPRA registration and professional obligations
Typical qualifications pathway
Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy; AHPRA registration as a Pharmacist. APharmC assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on STSOL and CSOL, supporting subclasses 186, 190, 482, 491, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
anzsco.com.au is information-only. For personalised advice on your situation, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Scan with your phone to open an AI chat about this occupation — no agent, no affiliation, just info you can trust.