The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, has welcomed landmark announcements by NSW Premier Chris Minns at Pharmacy Connect 2026, delivering a major boost to patient access, preventive healthcare and pharmacist-led care across New South Wales.
Announced before hundreds of delegates at Pharmacy Connect 2026, NSW’s leading conference for community pharmacy, the reforms will expand access to vaccinations, unlock the skills of newly trained pharmacist prescribers, strengthen primary care across NSW, and establish a new trial enabling pharmacists to provide care for ear infections, wound management, and selected chronic health conditions.
Addressing delegates at the conference, the Premier announced from 1 January 2027, NSW community pharmacists will be able to administer all vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program, making it easier for families to access essential vaccines closer to home.
The Premier also confirmed more than 250 pharmacists completing accredited prescribing programs at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Newcastle this year will be able to practise to their expanded scope upon graduation, enabling them to provide treatment for a broad range of common conditions including urinary tract infections, initiation and resupply of oral contraception, nausea and vomiting, hay fever and allergic rhinitis, reflux, acne, musculoskeletal pain, and skin conditions such as impetigo, shingles, dermatitis and psoriasis. Hundreds more pharmacists are expected to graduate from the programs in coming years.
The Premier also announced a new pharmacy care trial that will enable participating pharmacists to provide treatment for ear infections, deliver wound care, and assist in the management of chronic conditions including hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The trial will provide patients with faster access to care and reduce pressure on hospitals.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, Mario Barone, said the announcements represent another defining moment for healthcare reform in New South Wales.
“These reforms are transformational for patients, pharmacists and the broader health system,” Mr Barone said.
“Today’s announcements continue NSW’s leadership in healthcare innovation by giving patients more options to access timely care through their local community pharmacy.”
“The Premier has recognised what patients already know… Community pharmacists are highly trained, trusted and accessible healthcare professionals who can do even more to support their communities.”
“Allowing pharmacists to provide all National Immunisation Program vaccinations through community pharmacy will improve convenience for families, strengthen vaccination rates and ensure more people can access care when and where they need it.”
“Just as importantly, this announcement unlocks the skills of hundreds of pharmacists who have invested significant time and effort into advanced prescribing qualifications. These practitioners will now be able to put their training to work for patients immediately.”
“A new pharmacy care trial allowing specially trained pharmacists to provide care for ear infections, wound management, and chronic conditions will make it easier for patients to access treatment close to home while helping ease demand on hospitals.”
“We also look forward to seeing the conditions included in the trial become a permanent part of pharmacist-led care in NSW, ensuring more patients can benefit from safe access to care through their local pharmacy.”
The NSW Government also confirmed they will be doing more so community pharmacies can take pressure off emergency departments.
Mr Barone said the Guild will continue working with government and regulators to ensure pharmacists are authorised to provide treatment for all conditions they are trained to manage.
“When pharmacists are empowered to use their full skillset, patients benefit from faster access to care and the health system benefits from reduced pressure on hospitals,” Mr Barone said.
“At a time when hospitals, emergency departments and general practice are under increasing pressure, empowering pharmacists to do more is one of the smartest investments governments can make.”
“Taken together, these reforms represent a significant expansion of the role community pharmacy can play in the healthcare system. Patients will benefit from faster access to safe, accessible and affordable healthcare delivered by highly trained pharmacists.”
Mr Barone thanked Premier Minns and the NSW Government for their continued commitment to expanding patient access to healthcare and supporting pharmacists to work to the full extent of their education, training and expertise.
