Thinking about a pharmacy career in Australia in 2025? You’re in the right place. The pharmacy profession is no longer just about dispensing medicines, it's evolving fast, with exciting opportunities in hospitals, community clinics, research labs, and even digital health.
With an ageing population, expanded prescribing powers, and government-backed initiatives, pharmacists are becoming key players in patient care across the country. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, an experienced professional, or an overseas pharmacist planning to work in Australia, there’s a lot to explore—from competitive salaries to specialized roles and even ownership opportunities.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about pharmacist jobs in Australia in 2025 the job market, salary trends, career pathways, regional opportunities, and what’s driving growth in the profession. By the end, you’ll know exactly where you fit in this dynamic field.
The Current Job Market for Pharmacists in Australia
Pharmacist employment in Australia is on a steady upward trajectory in 2025.. This growth reflects both the rising healthcare needs of an ageing population and the expanding scope of pharmacy practice.
However, demand is not evenly spread across the country. Metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane show a relatively balanced workforce, while regional and remote Australia face significant shortages.
This has created a two-tiered market:
- In major cities, pharmacists enjoy stable employment but face greater competition for positions.
- In regional and remote areas, pharmacists are highly sought after, often receiving higher salaries, relocation bonuses, and accelerated pathways into management roles.
Additionally, the rise of telepharmacy and digital health services is broadening employment opportunities beyond traditional pharmacy outlets, allowing pharmacists to support patients in remote locations without being physically present. This hybrid model is expected to play a larger role in the next decade.
Salary Trends and Expectations in 2025
Pharmacist salaries in Australia vary depending on experience, role, and location. In 2025, salary levels have continued to rise, particularly in regional and remote areas where workforce shortages remain acute.
According to Ravens Recruitment’s 2025 pharmacy pay survey, most full-time pharmacists earn between A$75,000 and A$114,000 per year, with significant variation across job roles and regions.¹
Average Salary Ranges
- Intern Pharmacists: AUD 50,000 – 60,000
- Early-Career Pharmacists (1–3 years): AUD 75,000 – 90,000
- Mid-Level Pharmacists (3–5 years): AUD 80,000 – A$95,000
- Experienced Pharmacists (5+ years): AUD 90,000 – 110,000+
- Pharmacist-in-Charge / Supervising Pharmacist: AUD 100,000 – A$120,000
- Pharmacy Managers / Owners: AUD 120,000 – 200,000+,
Regional Salary Variations
Pharmacists working in regional and remote areas often receive higher salaries due to workforce shortages. Sometimes, including housing support or relocation bonuses.
Key Factors Influencing Salaries
- Location – Regional incentives remain the biggest salary drivers.
- Role Responsibility – Pharmacist-in-Charge and managers consistently out-earn general practice pharmacists.
- Specialization & Skills – Consultant pharmacists with advanced credentials (e.g., aged care, diabetes, vaccination services) are in growing demand.
Career Pathways for Pharmacists in Australia
In 2025, pharmacists in Australia can pursue multiple career directions, with opportunities expanding beyond traditional dispensing roles.
- Community Pharmacy – The largest employment sector, now with added responsibilities such as prescribing for minor ailments, vaccination services, and chronic disease management. This shift is strengthening the pharmacist’s role as a first point of care.
- Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy – Strong demand in public and private hospitals, especially in rural regions. Pharmacists here work in areas like oncology, pediatrics, and intensive care, contributing directly to patient outcomes.
- Consultant & Specialist Roles – Growing opportunities in aged care, diabetes management, and mental health pharmacy. Credentialled consultant pharmacists also conduct medicine reviews in homes and aged-care facilities, a service expanding with Australia’s ageing population.
- Pharmacy Ownership & Management – For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, ownership or managerial roles bring higher earnings and leadership opportunities. Regional pharmacies are especially lucrative due to limited competition.
- Industry, Research & Academia – Outside of direct patient care, pharmacists are employed in pharmaceutical companies, clinical trials, regulatory affairs (e.g., TGA), and universities, influencing drug development, safety, and future workforce training.
This diversity allows pharmacists to align their careers with personal interests—whether that’s patient care, leadership, research, or policy.
Pharmacist Salary in Australia
Average Base Salary: AUD 107,164 (~INR 6,238,325)
| City | Salary (AUD/year) | Salary (INR/year) |
| Perth, WA | 130,102 | 7,573,796 |
| Newcastle, NSW | 125,716 | 7,313,191 |
| Gold Coast, QLD | 124,687 | 7,256,063 |
| Brisbane, QLD | 121,089 | 7,046,284 |
| Melbourne, VIC | 116,930 | 6,805,626 |
| Mackay, QLD | 112,989 | 6,573,680 |
| Canberra, ACT | 103,752 | 6,041,486 |
| Sunshine Coast, QLD | 100,142 | 5,829,236 |
| Sydney, NSW | 95,972 | 5,586,290 |
Pharmacist Jobs in Australia 2025
Pharmacist – Cardiology | Western Sydney Local Health District
- Location: Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW
- Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Position Classification: Pharmacist Grade 2
- Salary: A$112,409 – A$119,173 per year
- Hours: 38 hours per week
Clinical Pharmacist (Grade 1/2) | Sydney Local Health District
- Location: Campsie, NSW
- Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Salary: A$119,173 per year
- Position Classification: Clinical Pharmacist Grade 1/2
- Hours: Standard full-time (typically 38 hours/week)
Pharmacist – Grade 2 | St John of God Health Care
- Location: Burwood, NSW
- Job Type: Part-Time
- Hourly Rate: A$59.49 – A$68.78
- Position Classification: Pharmacist Grade 2
- Hours: Flexible part-time (based on roster)
Pharmacy in Australia in 2025 offers a wealth of opportunities across hospitals, community clinics, research, and management. With competitive salaries, evolving roles, and growing demand especially in regional areas pharmacists are positioned as vital contributors to the healthcare system. Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced professional, or an overseas pharmacist, understanding the job market, career pathways, and salary trends is crucial to making informed decisions.
To work as a pharmacist in Australia, overseas professionals must clear the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Program) exam. At Academically, we offer a comprehensive OPRA preparation course that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to pass the exam with confidence and start your pharmacy career in Australia successfully.
