Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme

The aim of this scheme is to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the pharmacy workforce to assist pharmacies to better meet the needs of their local communities. The scheme provides allowance payments to eligible pharmacies that employ and support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistants to complete a nationally accredited Pharmacy Assistant training course.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme aims to address the health needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the workforce needs of Community Pharmacies by encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to choose a career in pharmacy.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme provides a pathway for trainees who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to receive training and employment as a Pharmacy Assistant in a Community Pharmacy. Community Pharmacies that employ and train Pharmacy Assistant Trainees via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme may be eligible to access an allowance of up to $10,000 (GST exclusive) to facilitate this training.

To be considered eligible for the purposes of this Allowance, the Community Pharmacy must employ or already have employed a Pharmacy Assistant who:

  • Is an Australian citizen and provides certified proof of citizenship
  • Is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and provides evidence either by:
    • A completed Self-Identification Form
    • A letter of confirmation
    •  Evidence obtained from an Incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Community Organisation
  • Undertakes a Nationally Accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course
  • Will complete the training course within two years of receipt of advice that funding has been approved
  • Agrees to the reporting requirements in these Program Rules
  • Consents to disclosure of personal information for the purpose of monitoring, managing and promoting the allowance.

To be considered eligible for the purposes of this Allowance, the Community Pharmacy must:

  • Meet the definition of a Community Pharmacy as outlined in the Pharmacy Programs Administrator General Terms and Conditions
  • Agree to the reporting requirements in the Program Rules
  • Be actively trading and continue to actively trade throughout the period of time the Allowance applies to
  • Employ a Pharmacy Assistant who meets the criteria as defined by these Program Rules
  • Provide evidence that the Pharmacy Assistant has been employed and enrolled in a nationally accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course
  • Consent to disclosure of personal information for the purpose of monitoring, managing and promoting the Allowance
  • Agree to advise the Pharmacy Programs Administrator within 21 days in event of the following:
    • Any changes in the duration of study undertaken by the Pharmacy Assistant
    • The Pharmacy Assistant ceases employment with the Community Pharmacy
    • The Pharmacy Assistant ceases to undertake the approved training course for which the funding was allocated
    • The Community Pharmacy ceases to be actively trading
    • The Community Pharmacy is sold in respect of all its interests.

Pharmacist reports

The Pharmacist employer or Authorised Person for the Community Pharmacy will provide the following reports to the Pharmacy Programs Administrator in order to access the incentive payments. Forms will be completed online at the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal.

  • Pharmacist Mid Training Report – to be completed at the half-way stage of the Nationally Accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course.
  • Pharmacist End Training Report– to be completed at the end of the Nationally Accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course.

Pharmacy Assistant report

The Pharmacy agrees to provide the Pharmacy Assistant End Training Feedback Report at the successful completion of the Nationally Accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course. This form will be completed by the Pharmacy Assistant and uploaded by the Pharmacist to the Pharmacy Programs Administrator Portal.

Payments

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme provides funding of $10,000 (GST exclusive) to eligible Pharmacies who employ and support an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant to complete a Nationally Accredited Pharmacy Assistant Training Course within two years of approval of funding. Allowances are limited based on available funds.
Funding is paid to the Community Pharmacy by the Pharmacy Programs Administrator via direct Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) as three separate payments:

  • 1st Payment – $5,000 paid within 28 days of approval of the application for funding
  • 2nd Payment – $2,500 paid within 28 days of receiving and validating the Pharmacist Mid Training Report
  • 3rd Payment – $2,500 paid within 28 days of receiving and validating the Pharmacist End Training Report and the Pharmacy Assistant End Training Feedback Report.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme FAQ

  1. No, this program is not restricted by Modified Monash Model categories. All Pharmacies who meet the rest of the Eligibility Criteria can submit a claim. For Pharmacy Eligibility Criteria please read the Program Rules.

  2. A Pharmacy Assistant can prove this in three different ways:

    • A completed Self-Identification form
    • A letter of confirmation
    • Evidence obtained from an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Community Organisation.

  3. Training should be completed within two years of the initial claim being approved and funding being allocated.

  4. Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the assistant starting the training course. Late applications will not be approved.

  5. No.

  6. The Pharmacy will be expected to provide mid-term and final reports for each eligible Pharmacy Assistant. Due dates for these reports will be outlined when the claim is approved. Failure to provide these reports will result in funding associated with the provision of these reports being withheld.

  7. A successful application will be allocated funding of $10,000 (GST exclusive). A breakdown of the funding will be provided in your claim approval email. Further information about funding can be found in the Program Rules.

  8. Yes.

  9. A certified copy of the pharmacy assistant ’s Australian passport, birth certificate in an Australian state or territory or certificate of Australian citizenship is considered adequate evidence of citizenship.

    For permanent residency, a certified copy of a letter confirming permanent residency or evidence from the Commonwealth’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online website. This must include the pharmacy assistant’s name and visa number.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Assistant Traineeship Scheme Program Resources


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