Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
SIR30116
Earn your Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (SIR30116) to become a qualified pharmacy assistant. Gain practical skills and a nationally recognised qualification through flexible online study, and start your career helping people access dispensary, medical, and cosmetic support.
Earn your Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (SIR30116) and start your career as a pharmacy assistant, helping your community access essential dispensary, medical and cosmetic support.
This nationally recognised qualification builds practical skills in pharmacy operations, customer service, and the safe handling of medicines and health products, preparing you to work confidently alongside pharmacists and healthcare professionals in a retail setting.
With strong growth forecast for pharmacy assistant roles, now's the time to start. Study online with flexible options and gain hands-on capability in prescription handling, stock control, product recommendations, and customer care.
Enrol now to study Community Pharmacy online. Earn your Certificate III with AIPC to access a wide range of support services that can help you succeed.
To obtain entry to this online community pharmacy course, you need to demonstrate completion of at least Year 10 (or equivalent), and be at least 16 years of age.
Reduced Upfront (and enjoy a substantial discount).
Fortnightly Payment Plan (take advantage of our Fortnightly payment plans 26 payments.).
Pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit.
Our Student Support Centres are located in:
Brisbane
Regional Queensland
Gold Coast
Sydney
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth
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Course Recognition
Why study our Certificate III In Community Pharmacy
With more than 30 years of experience delivering flexible, online counsellor education, AIPC understands what it takes to support students to succeed. We've brought that same commitment to quality, flexibility and student support to our allied health courses, preparing graduates for rewarding careers in one of Australia's fastest-growing sectors.
You will learn:
Apply medical, health & safety knowledge
Support pharmacy operations & product advice
Deliver exceptional customer service
Work effectively in a community pharmacy
Work respectfully & professionally
Career Outcomes:
Pharmacy assistant
Pharmacy sales assistant
You will learn:
Apply medical, health & safety knowledge
Support pharmacy operations & product advice
Deliver exceptional customer service
Work effectively in a community pharmacy
Work respectfully & professionally
Career Outcomes:
Pharmacy assistant
Pharmacy sales assistant
Australia's largest and fastest-growing industry
Sources: Statistics (accessed January 2026): Employment Growth, Employment Opportunities, Weekly Earnings
There has never been a better time for you to invest in your future career. The need for qualified employees supporting health and allied health professionals is greater than ever before. The Health Care and Social Assistance sector is predicted to be the fastest growth industry over the next 5 years. Working in the health sector is supremely rewarding. You will be supporting the delivery of health services to vulnerable patients who need care, support and assurance.
Course Outline
Students will learn to understand and use medical terminology in written and spoken communication within a healthcare setting. They will develop the ability to interpret clinical terms and abbreviations accurately to support effective communication.
This unit teaches students how to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Students will explore concepts such as inclusivity, cultural awareness, and effective interpersonal communication.
Students will develop an understanding of the structure and function of the human body systems. They will learn to identify normal health status and recognize basic signs of health deterioration.
This unit focuses on time management, goal setting, and planning work tasks efficiently. Students will also explore strategies for ongoing professional development and maintaining a work-life balance.
Students will learn how to identify hazards, follow safety procedures, and contribute to maintaining a safe workplace. The unit covers legal responsibilities and the importance of reporting risks or incidents.
This unit teaches infection prevention and control procedures specific to community pharmacy settings. Students will learn to apply hygiene and sanitation techniques in accordance with industry standards.
Students will learn to assist in the supply and sale of non-prescription medicines under the guidance of a pharmacist. The unit includes understanding medicine classifications and customer advice protocols.
This unit provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work in a retail pharmacy environment. Students will learn about team roles, store procedures, and workplace expectations.
Students will develop customer service skills specific to the pharmacy industry, including how to meet customer needs and handle queries. The unit also covers how to promote available health services and products.
This unit focuses on strategies for developing strong, lasting relationships with customers in a retail setting. Students will learn how to create positive customer experiences that encourage return business.
Students will learn how to assist in implementing marketing campaigns and promotions within a pharmacy. The unit covers merchandising, displays, and customer engagement strategies.
This unit equips students with the skills to respond calmly and effectively to challenging customer behaviour. They will learn techniques for de-escalation, conflict resolution, and maintaining a safe work environment.
Students will learn the correct procedures for handling prescriptions, including checking details and preparing items for pharmacist review. They will also understand confidentiality and the importance of accuracy.
This unit provides knowledge on recommending appropriate products for coughs, colds, and flu-like symptoms. Students will learn to ask relevant questions to ensure safe and suitable product selection.
Students will gain understanding of common allergies and appropriate over-the-counter treatments. They will learn to assist customers in selecting antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops.
This unit teaches students about different pain relief medications and their appropriate use. Students will learn how to provide accurate product information while considering customer health needs.
Students will develop knowledge of skin care conditions and fungal infections commonly treated in pharmacies. They will learn to provide advice on topical creams, ointments, and preventative care.
This unit covers common digestive issues and the pharmacy products used to manage them. Students will learn to assist customers with safe use of treatments for nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, and constipation.
Students will learn how to respond to medical emergencies by administering first aid for injuries and illnesses. The unit includes CPR, wound care, and managing shock until professional help arrives.
Units marked with an * require completion of a work placement. The work placement involves a minimum of 60 hours in the workplace (nominated by student), with some time spent at home completing activities that contribute to assessment.
^Students must achieve competency in SIRCIND002 Support the supply of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines before commencing this unit.
1. Online assessment is completed for each topic.
2. This qualification requires the completion of HLTAID011, Provide First Aid. Students are required to attain this through an appropriate external training organisation and provide appropriate certification to receive a Credit Transfer for this unit.
3. The information included in this Course Outline is indicative of the final curriculum but may not necessarily contain all units necessary for completion of the course. All assessment that you complete throughout your studies will contribute to your final award. Industry regularly reviews this qualification, and the Institute is required to incorporate any changes specified during this review process. Any changes, upgrades or expansions to the curriculum will be instigated in such a way that your studies are affected as little as possible.
4. Please contact your Student Support Centre if you have any questions about the requirements to complete your course.
5. You have a maximum of five (5) years from the date of enrolment to complete your course. You can study your course on a full-time, part-time, or self-paced basis. Indicatively, full time study of the course will take approximately 12 months.
At AIPC we have a payment method to suit every student. If you decide to pay for your course upfront you will enjoy a substantial discount, and you can concentrate on your studies without thinking about further payments.
If you would prefer to spread your payments, you can take advantage of our fortnightly payment plans over 26 fortnights. We always strive to keep tuition as affordable as possible, opening up quality education for everyone.
Reduced upfront payment | Fortnightly payment* |
|---|---|
$2,490 | $129 |
*Fortnightly payments can be made by Credit Card or Direct Debit.
For over 30 years AIPC has set the benchmark for service and support in education. We offer a complete external study support system that has been developed and refined over decades of research and continual student feedback.
As a student you have unlimited access to the Institute’s Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line. Our degree-qualified education advisers are available 9am and 5pm EST Monday to Friday to provide you with friendly academic support. Their focus is to support you throughout your studies so you can graduate in the time frame you set. This includes answering questions on assignment topics, personal coaching on assignment writing, and giving hints and tips on specific concepts. The Study Assistance Line is there whenever you feel you need a bit of extra guidance.
The structure of the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy ensures you graduate with sufficient practical skill so you can apply your knowledge with confidence.
The work placement involves a minimum of 60 hours in the workplace (nominated by student), with some time spent at home completing activities that contribute to assessment.
Work placement gives you the opportunity to put your skills into practice alongside experienced professionals, building the confidence and competence you need to transition smoothly into paid employment upon graduation.
The Institute website is an extremely helpful study resource. Via the website you can access the My.AIPC Student Portal which is your link to numerous study support and e-learning functions. You can:
Download electronic versions of your workbooks
Complete your activities and upload for marking
Contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance
Access the Knowledge Base, a massive database of the most commonly asked academic questions, categorised for particular subjects, activities and concepts
See when seminars are available in your area
Plus much more.
The Institute has developed a comprehensive range of resources to help you expand your knowledge and practical skills throughout your studies and beyond.
The Institute also has a large reference list of books and resources for students who wish to broaden their reading. This list covers the areas of Counselling, Psychology, Sociology and Behavioural Science.
We have also developed a dedicated blog to complement your studies. At www.aipc.net.au/articles you'll find a plethora of articles covering a wide variety of counselling topics, as well as the latest information about what's happening in the industry — all in one place.
There are also numerous ways to connect with AIPC through social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
A community pharmacy assistant helps customers access dispensary, medical and cosmetic products in a local pharmacy. They work on the shop floor and behind the counter, alongside pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. On any given shift, you may help customers find appropriate pharmacy products, support prescription-related processes, manage stock and provide customer service, working within your role and under pharmacist supervision where required. You’ll also follow the rules that govern how to safely handle medicines and health products.
Yes, several units require you to complete work placement in a pharmacy, where you’ll spend an average of 12 hours a week applying what you’ve studied. You’ll also work on placement activities at home that count towards your assessment. To finish the qualification, you’ll need HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, which you’ll arrange yourself through an external training organisation.
Yes. The coursework is delivered online, with practical work placement completed in a pharmacy. Full-time takes around 12 months across 19 units. You have up to five years from enrolment to finish, so you can go slower if work or family needs your attention.
We teach this qualification online only, so there’s no campus study option for the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy. What you will do in person is your work placement, which puts you in a community pharmacy for around 12 hours a week. That’s where you apply what you’ve studied with real customers and stock. Your practical placement will need to be completed in an eligible community pharmacy anywhere in Australia. Check AIPC’s current placement requirements for information about arranging a suitable location.
A community pharmacy assistant works throughout the entire pharmacy, helping customers with health and cosmetic products, managing stock and supporting the pharmacist. A dispensary assistant focuses on the dispensary itself, supporting dispensary processes under the supervision of a pharmacist. The responsibilities of the two roles can overlap depending on the pharmacy and workplace structure, and this qualification will teach you how to handle prescriptions in addition to customer service and stock control.
You’ll take 19 units that will teach you how to:
Apply medical, health and safety knowledge in a pharmacy
Support pharmacy operations and provide product information and customer support within your scope of practice
Interpret and use medical terminology, including clinical terms and abbreviations
Support prescription and dispensary processes
Look after customers and resolve what they’ve come in for
Work respectfully and professionally with pharmacists and colleagues
Yes. Many graduates move into other areas of health support once they’ve worked in a pharmacy. If the customer service and administration side of pharmacy work suits you, our Certificate IV in Health Administration can help prepare you for operational and team-leading roles in a medical practice or hospital department.
If you’d prefer to work more directly with patients, our Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance covers supporting physiotherapists, dietitians and speech pathologists as they deliver treatment programs.
The course could be a good fit for you if you like helping people and want a health role that involves regular face-to-face customer interaction. You’ll need to have completed Year 10 or equivalent and be at least 16 years old to apply, so you can start without any background in health. Note that we don’t offer this course to international students.
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