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Australia
Pharmacy Assistant salary guide Australia 2026
The median Pharmacy Assistant salary in Australia is $52,000, with pay ranging from $46,000 at entry level to $56,000 for senior professionals.
Overview
What does a Pharmacy Assistant earn?
The median salary of Pharmacy Assistants in Australia is $52,000. Most professionals earn within $46,000–$56,000, starting around $46,000 in entry-level retail positions. Gaining a Certificate in Community Pharmacy or taking on specialised dispensary duties can lift your earnings towards $56,000.
Optional — pick a state first
Median for Pharmacy Assistant, nationally across Australia.
10th $46,000
25th $52,000
50th (median) $56,000
75th $61,000
90th
Figures above update by state/city. For a full breakdown by seniority, see the table below.
Location
Pharmacy Assistant salary by city
Location plays a noticeable role in dispensary pay across Australia. Metropolitan hubs like Sydney and Melbourne offer competitive rates, while regional pharmacies often pay premiums to attract skilled talent.
What drives salary
Factors that affect Pharmacy Assistant pay
Several core factors influence what you can earn behind the counter. Your technical credentials, dispensary knowledge and customer service capability all shape your pay bracket.
Holding a Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 (S2/S3) qualification or a Certificate in Community Pharmacy demonstrates clinical safety knowledge and immediately broadens your earning capacity.
Pharmacies move quickly, so experience managing script queues or handling high-volume retail transactions positions you for higher-tier rates.
Strong verbal communication allows you to counsel customers effectively on over-the-counter products, adding direct value to the pharmacy team.
Fast keyboard skills and sharp attention to detail reduce dispensing errors and streamline operations, making you a vital dispensary asset.
Taking on stock ordering, dose administration aids or supervising junior staff naturally moves you towards senior pay brackets.
Comparison
How Pharmacy Assistants compare to related roles
A Pharmacy Assistant typically earns in line with a Medical Receptionist, while Dental Assistants and qualified Support Workers often command slightly higher rates due to formal clinical accreditations. Advancing into Dispensary Technician duties or pharmacy retail management closes that gap.
| Role | Range | Relative | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Worker | $69,000–$89,000 | $78,000 | |
| Support Worker | $63,000–$87,000 | $74,000 | |
| Medical Receptionist | $51,000–$65,000 | $58,000 | |
| Dental Assistant | $48,000–$64,000 | $56,000 | |
| Pharmacy Assistant You are here | $46,000–$56,000 | $52,000 |
Employment Hero Job Data
Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated October 2026.
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