top of page

Hospital Pharmacist – ANZSCO 251511

Hospital Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251511) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by APharmC for Australian skilled migration. It is on the STSOL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 7 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

Open Hospital Pharmacist in the interactive ANZSCO search · Book a free migration assessment

Quick facts

  • ANZSCO code: 251511
  • Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Assessing authority: APharmC
  • Occupation lists: STSOL, CSOL
  • English test for skills assessment: Required
  • ANZSCO unit group: 2515 Pharmacists

Hospital Pharmacist job description and duties

Prepares and dispenses pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines in a hospital pharmacy. Registration or licensing is required.

Specialisations: Pharmaceutical Officer (Army)

Tasks include

  • Receiving prescriptions, checking patients' medicine histories, and ensuring optimal dosage and methods of administration and drug compatibility before dispensing
  • Preparing or supervising the preparation and labelling of liquid medicines, ointments, powders, tablets and other medications to fill prescriptions
  • Advising prescribers on drug incompatibility and contra-indications
  • Reviewing and monitoring the medicine therapy of individual patients, and assessing the effectiveness of the total medicine therapy
  • Maintaining prescription files and recording issue of narcotics, poisons and habit-forming drugs
  • Storing and preserving vaccines, serums and other drugs subject to deterioration
  • Supplying non-prescription medicines, and diagnostic and therapeutic aids
  • Supervising and coordinating the work of Pharmacy Technicians, pharmacy interns and Pharmacy Sales Assistants
  • Conducting research to develop and improve pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and related chemical products
  • Conferring with Chemists, Engineering Professionals and other professionals about manufacturing techniques and ingredients
  • Testing and analysing drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength in relation to specified standards
  • Developing standards for drugs used in pharmaceuticals

Education and skill level

Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and a one year traineeship (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing is required.

Visa options for Hospital Pharmacist

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

  • Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
  • Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
  • Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
  • Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
  • Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
  • Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
  • Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
  • Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Hospital Pharmacist

7 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

  • New South Wales: 190 Yes, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore NSW residents, offshore Yes. NSW Skills List — unit group 2515.
  • Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
  • Queensland: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore No. Onshore list: 190 & 491.
  • South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore Yes. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491; Offshore: 190 & 491.
  • Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 1: 190 & 491; Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491; Priority WA industry sector.
  • Tasmania: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore 190 with job offer. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas: 190 only with a Tasmanian health or education job offer; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
  • Australian Capital Territory: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
  • Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Hospital Pharmacist

This authority assesses whether your qualifications (and, for some occupations, registration or work experience) meet the Australian standard for this occupation. Requirements are set by the authority and approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

The process

  1. Confirm the authority: Check that this body assesses your occupation for your visa.
  2. Check criteria: Read the qualification, registration, experience and English requirements.
  3. Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, ID and any registration or employment evidence.
  4. Apply and pay: Lodge with the authority, usually online.
  5. Outcome: Use your outcome letter for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

APharmC sets the criteria for this occupation. Requirements usually cover qualification level and field, any registration or licence, and in some cases work experience and English.

Documents checklist

  • Passport
  • Qualification certificates and full transcripts
  • Registration or licence evidence (if applicable)
  • Employment references (if applicable)
  • English test results (if required)

English language requirement

For the APharmC skills assessment

English test required. You must meet the Ahpra/National Board English language skills registration standard (or be exempt, e.g. by studying in a recognised English-speaking country). Scores below apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, from one sitting or two sittings within 12 months; results are generally valid for 2 years.

  • IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall; Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0
  • PTE Academic: 63 overall; Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60, Speaking 76
  • OET: Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350, Speaking 360
  • TOEFL iBT: 91 overall; Listening 22, Reading 22, Writing 23, Speaking 24
  • Online or at-home test versions are not accepted.
  • Nurses and midwives: check the NMBA version of the standard, which has its own pathways.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

  • IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
  • PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
  • TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
  • OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 2515

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Hospital Pharmacist?

The ANZSCO code for Hospital Pharmacist is 251511. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Hospital Pharmacist for Australian migration?

Hospital Pharmacist is assessed by APharmC. You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Hospital Pharmacist apply for?

Hospital Pharmacist is on the STSOL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Hospital Pharmacist?

7 of 8 states and territories currently list Hospital Pharmacist: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Hospital Pharmacist skills assessment?

Yes. You must meet the Ahpra/National Board English language skills registration standard (or be exempt, e.g. by studying in a recognised English-speaking country). Scores below apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, from one sitting or two sittings within 12 months; results are generally valid for 2 years.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, APharmC and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.

bottom of page