Support the health and wellbeing of your local community as you gain dispensary skills in a community pharmacy under the expert supervision of a pharmacist. You’ll develop unparalleled customer service capabilities, retail business knowledge and a strong understanding of pharmaceutical products
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Assist customers with prescriptions
Dispense prescriptions
Provide and promote services to customers
Read and communicate prescription information and ingredients
Maintain pharmacy stock
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
Experience in a real community pharmacy under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist
Confidence to professionally discuss medical conditions with customers from a range of age, cultural and language backgrounds
The ability to advise customers on at-home care programs in line with their unique needs
Skills in sensitively problem-solving and managing conflict conversations with customers who are in pain, vulnerable and emotional
Qualifications to become an accredited dispensary technician
A strong pathway to further study
Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.
This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
Current employment in a community pharmacy
The ability to work at least 80 hours under the supervision of a pharmacist
Comfort working under supervision
Calmness in busy environments
Confidence liaising with a range of customers, some of whom are sick and vulnerable
Attention to detail
Foundational computer skills
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
Our graduates go onto roles like: dispensary technician, dispensary assistant and dispensary manager.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
The Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary does not have any post-graduate courses.
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy Dispensary qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 14 Units of competency, including 9 core and 5 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community