Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Pharmacist CPD in Australia

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not just a legal requirement—it’s an opportunity to grow as a professional, enhance patient outcomes, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Here are the top 10 things every pharmacist in Australia needs to know about CPD.

CPD is Legally Required

In Australia, CPD is mandatory for all registered pharmacists under the National Law. To renew your registration each year, you must declare that you’ve completed the required CPD activities and maintained a learning record. Failing to meet CPD requirements can result in conditions being placed on your registration.

The Minimum CPD Requirement is 40 Credits

Pharmacists must complete a minimum of 40 CPD credits annually, with at least 20 credits from Group 2 and/or Group 3 activities. This ensures that your learning is both diverse and impactful. The CPD year runs from 1 October to 30 September, and activities must align with your scope of practice.

Understanding the Three CPD Activity Groups

CPD activities are divided into three groups based on the level of engagement and learning outcomes:

Group Activity Example Credits
1 Reflective Reading journal articles or attending lectures 1 credit per hour
2 Interactive and assessed  Online modules with quizzers or workshops with assessments 2 per hour
3 Practice- improvement Implementing new protocols or publishing research. 3 per hour

CPD Doesn’t Have to Be Accredited

Many pharmacists believe that only accredited activities count towards CPD. This is false. While accredited CPD offers assurance of quality, non-accredited activities—such as self-directed research, non-accredited seminars, or journal reading—can also count, provided they are relevant to your practice.

You May Need More Than 40 Credits

While the minimum is 40 credits, there are situations where completing more is beneficial:

  • Broad Scope of Practice: Pharmacists with diverse roles, such as preceptors or consultants, may need additional CPD to cover all competencies.
  • New Services: Implementing services like medicinal cannabis or wound care requires extra learning to ensure compliance.
  • Unplanned Learning Opportunities: CPD often arises naturally during daily practice, enriching your professional growth beyond the minimum.

A Learning Plan is Essential

Every pharmacist must create and maintain a CPD learning plan. This plan helps you:

  • Reflect on your current knowledge and skills.

  • Identify gaps in your competencies.

  • Choose relevant CPD activities to address those gaps.

Your learning plan doesn’t have to be rigid—it’s a dynamic tool that evolves with your practice.

Keeping a Detailed Learning Record

Maintaining a clear and verifiable record of your CPD is crucial. Your record should include:

  • The type of activity and topics covered.

  • The CPD group (1, 2, or 3).

  • Whether the activity was accredited or non-accredited.

  • Reflections on how the activity impacted your practice.

Records must be kept for at least three full CPD periods in case of an audit.

The Benefits Go Beyond Compliance

CPD isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about staying at the forefront of your profession. Benefits include:

  • Building confidence in clinical decision-making.
  • Enhancing your ability to offer new services.
  • Keeping your skills relevant and marketable.
  • Delivering better patient outcomes.

Flexibility in CPD Activities

CPD activities are highly flexible and can include:

  • Attending webinars, workshops, or conferences.

  • Completing online modules or quizzes.

  • Researching topics relevant to your scope of practice.

  • Participating in quality improvement projects.

Choose activities that suit your learning style, professional goals, and time availability.

How can lrnrx help with CPD

lrnrx makes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seamless and engaging for pharmacists by offering CPD-accredited courses in short, flexible formats that fit into busy schedules.

With AI-driven personalisation through ohlus, pharmacists receive tailored CPD recommendations based on their scope of practice and learning history. The platform provides interactive, real-world case scenarios, on-demand learning via mobile-friendly videos, webinars, podcasts, and articles, and CPD tracking to support AHPRA compliance.

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