An ACT Government Website

A community pharmacy in the ACT must be licenced under the Public Health Act 1997. The pharmacy must also comply with the ACT Public Health (Community Pharmacy) Code of Practice 2016.

To own a pharmacy, you must be:

  • a pharmacist
  • a complying pharmacy corporation
  • a former corporate pharmacist.

The pharmacy must comply with the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, which outlines authorisations and criteria to deal with medicines and poisons.

You can be penalised under the Public Health Act if your community pharmacy doesn't have a licence.

Licence fees

Community pharmacy licence fees are:

  • $698.25 for a new licence.
  • $698.25 to renew your licence annually.
  • $418.10 to transfer ownership of the licence.

Apply for a licence

You can either:

Contact the Pharmaceutical Service section of the Health Protection Service on 02 5124 9208 or hps@act.gov.au for more information.

This page is managed by: ACT Health Directorate