The WA Government is expanding training opportunities for the state’s pharmacists, with another 100 subsidised training places to become available to support the WA Health Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot (EACPP).
Eligible pharmacists are now able to apply for the next round of Government-funded training subsidies, with 40 subsidised places available in the current intake. A further 60 subsidised places will be offered later this year, with training to commence in 2027.
The additional training opportunities will help build a skilled pharmacist workforce ready to participate in the EACPP, which will expand the range of primary care services available through participating community pharmacies.
Around a third of the first 40 places will be available to pharmacists working in rural and remote areas, helping strengthen access to primary care in communities where accessing a GP can be more challenging, said Health Minister, Meredith Hammat.
“Community pharmacists are highly skilled and trusted healthcare professionals, and we want to make better use of their expertise to give Western Australians more options to access care,” said Ms Hammat.
“This is about building the workforce we need to expand the role of community pharmacies and make it easier for Western Australians to access primary care closer to home.
“Importantly, we’re targeting training opportunities towards rural and remote WA, where we know accessing primary care can be more challenging.
“By investing in our pharmacists now, we’re laying the groundwork for the success of the Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot and delivering more convenient health care options for Western Australians.”
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s (PSA) Graduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing is now recognised as an approved training course under the pilot, providing another pathway for pharmacists to undertake required training.
The additional training opportunities will help build a skilled pharmacist workforce ready to participate in the pilot, which will expand the range of primary care services available through participating community pharmacies.
The Government committed $4.1 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to support the EACPP, including funding for a further 200 pharmacist training places over the duration of the pilot.
Already, 80 WA pharmacists have been allocated government-funded training subsidies, strategically targeted towards areas of greatest need.
