What exactly is the function of the PBA? And how does it ensure that pharmacists who are already registered stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the world of pharmacy?
This blog will break it all down for you.
Read on to know more about the registration requirement and the continuous professional development program.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia
The PBA is the national regulator that ensures pharmacists in Australia are
- Suitably trained
- Qualified, and
- Safe to practise
In simpler terms, if you want to work as a pharmacist in Australia, you’ll need to meet the PBA’s rules and standards.
Registration: How it Works
Types of registration
Here are the registration types the PBA recognises:
- Student registration: For people still studying.
- Provisional registration: For new graduates or interns working under supervision.
- General registration: Allows unsupervised practice as a pharmacist.
- Limited registration: For certain restricted roles.
- Non-practising registration: For those who hold registration but are not practising.
Applying and Renewing
- You can apply or renew online through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or AHPRA portal.
- General registration is valid for 12 months. After this, you must renew.
- You’ll need to meet supervised practice hours and pass required exams if you’re moving from provisional to general registration.
Key Registration Standards
The PBA publishes a set of Registration Standards you must meet. Some important ones include:
- Good Standing Certificate: You must declare relevant history.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance Arrangements: Practising pharmacists must be insured.
- Recency of Practice: You must have practised a certain amount to maintain general registration.
- Continuing Professional Development
What Does General Registration Mean?
Once you hold general registration, you are considered qualified to work unsupervised as a pharmacist in Australia.
Your obligations include:
- Abiding by codes and guidelines
- Renewing annually
- Undertaking CPD and maintaining competence
Standards: What the PBA Expects
The Pharmacy Board of Australia uses registration standards, codes, guidelines, and other policies to set the expectations for pharmacy practice.
Here are some of the key expectations:
| Area | What’s Required |
| Criminal history | You must disclose certain offences or investigations. |
| Insurance | If you’re practising, you must have professional indemnity insurance. |
| Recency of practice | If you haven’t practised enough recently, you may need to do supervised practice or additional learning. |
| CPD | Ongoing learning requirement. |
| Code of Conduct and Competency Standards | You must practise ethically, competently, and safely. |
Why these standards? Because the main purpose of the PBA is public safety. They ensure pharmacists remain competent and up-to-date.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Arguably one of the most important parts of being a practising pharmacist in Australia. Let’s break it down simply.
What is CPD?
The PBA defines CPD as activities that help you maintain, improve and broaden your knowledge, expertise and competence and develop the professional qualities you need throughout your career.
Simply put, you’re committing to lifelong learning to stay safe and effective.
How Many CPD “Credits” Are Required?
According to official documents:
- Pharmacists holding general, provisional or limited registration must complete 40 CPD credits annually.
- This is usually for the 12 months ending 30 September.
- At least some of the credits must be from “higher” category activities.
- For example, at least 20 of the 40 credits should come from Group 2 and/or Group 3 activities.
CPD Activity Groups
To meet the requirement, you need a variety of learning activities. The PBA (and associated bodies) classify activities into three groups:
| Group | Description | Credit earning |
| Group 1 | Information accessed without assessment. E.g.: Reading journals Attending lectures without assessment | 1 credit per hour |
| Group 2 | Activities where knowledge or skills improvement is demonstrated through assessment. | 2 credits per hour |
| Group 3 | Activities that lead to practice change or quality improvement with self-reflection. | 3 credits per hour |
Important points:
- No more than 50% of your total CPD credits may come from Group 1 activities.
- You must reflect on your activity: what was done, how it affected practice, and what the next steps are.
CPD Planning and Record-keeping
Key steps:
- Self-assess your learning needs based on
- Your role
- Scope of practice
- The Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia
- Develop a CPD plan: Identify your
- Role
- Learning needs
- Activities you will undertake
- Choose appropriate activities that are
- Relevant
- Of sufficient intellectual/practical content
- Relate to your scope
- Record your activities:
- The date
- The activity
- The group
- Hours/credits
- Your reflection
Keep these records for at least 5 years as part of audit-readiness.
- Reflect: after a CPD activity, write down how it impacted your practice. This is important for audits.
What if You’re Audited?
Every now and then, the PBA (via AHPRA) may ask you for evidence of your CPD:
- Your plan
- Your records
- Reflections
If you can’t show the required CPD, there are consequences. For example, your registration renewal could be denied or conditions placed on your registration.
Why CPD matters
- Ensures you practise safely and keep up to date in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
- Demonstrates professionalism and commitment to quality care.
- Allows you to adapt your knowledge and skills to changing roles, technology, and legislation.
- Fulfils your regulatory obligation to stay competent.
Putting it All Together: Summarizing Registration and CPD
Here’s a summary of how these three elements interrelate for a practising pharmacist in Australia:
- You first register with the PBA and meet the registration standards
- Once you hold general registration, you have an annual cycle of renewal where you must confirm you still meet the standards.
- As part of your obligations, you must engage in CPD each year through a mix of different activity types.
- You’re expected to practise ethically, safely, and competently.
- You are also required to continue your development.
- If you fail to comply, you may face conditions, delays, or refusal of renewal.
Practical Tips For Pharmacists
- Set up your CPD plan early in the CPD year. This runs from 1 October to 30 September.
- Mix your activity types. Don’t rely only on Group 1. Aim for Group 2 and 3.
- Use downtime to rack up Group 1 credits. But remember the cap.
- Choose activities that relate to your actual scope of practice.
- After each activity, pause and reflect. Ask yourself how you will apply this and how did this learning change your practice.
- Keep your records in one place, either digital or paper.
- Check you’ve met the 40 credits target and have documentation ready before renewal.
- If you’ve had a break from practice, check the “recency of practice” requirement and plan accordingly.
- View CPD as a benefit, not just a tick-box. Better learning means better care, better confidence, stronger career.
Final Thoughts
The Pharmacy Board of Australia’s framework is straightforward:
- Be registered
- Meet the standards
- Keep learning
It may sound administrative. However, at its heart, it’s about ensuring safety. It ensures competent pharmacy practice in the interest of patients and public health.
If you’re an intern, a newly registered pharmacist or someone practising for years, following the registration standards and committing to CPD will
- Keep you on track
- Keep you aligned with your profession’s expectations
- Make you ready for whatever the future of pharmacy brings.
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All the best!
