Owner guide
The pharmacist shortage, and what it means for your roster.
Most coverage of this is about the profession. This is about the fact that you cannot open the dispensary on Thursday.
The position
That last figure is the one that matters for planning. A shortage that is easing everywhere except your industry is not a cycle you can wait out.
Who else wants them
You are not only competing with the pharmacy down the road.
Hospital pharmacy
Around two thirds of hospital pharmacy sites report pharmacist FTE vacancies, and roughly three quarters reduced services in the prior year because of workforce shortages.
General practice
The Grattan Institute has proposed funding non-dispensing pharmacists into around 900 general practices and Aboriginal health services — a new employer for the same people.
National healthcare recruiters
They run pharmacist locum contracts for hospitals and aged care in eight-to-twelve week blocks with travel and accommodation provided. That is what a Tuesday in your dispensary is weighed against.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List; Pharmacy Board of Australia registration data 2024/25; Advanced Pharmacy Australia workforce reporting; Grattan Institute, Future pharmacy, July 2026.
Next step
Tell us about the vacancy.
You will get the fee in writing, a view on whether the role is fillable as written, and a realistic time to fill — before you commit to anything.