CPD Requirements for Pharmacists in Australia (2026)

Pharmacists registered with AHPRA in Australia have a unique CPD structure compared to many other health professions. The Pharmacy Board uses an annual, credit-based CPD requirement: 40 CPD credits for the 12-month CPD period ending 30 September. That CPD period is separate from the AHPRA registration renewal deadline, which remains 30 November.

Here's a clear breakdown of CPD requirements for pharmacists in 2026.

How Many CPD Credits Do Pharmacists Need?

The Pharmacy Board of Australia requires pharmacists to complete:

• 40 CPD credits annually
• CPD period ending 30 September
• AHPRA registration renewal due 30 November

Credits are not always the same as hours. Some accredited activities can earn more than one CPD credit per hour, so keep the unit clear in your records.

Key Numbers

Requirement	Detail
Annual CPD target	40 CPD credits
CPD period end	30 September
Registration renewal	30 November
Cycle type	Annual, credit-based
Registration board	Pharmacy Board of Australia

What Counts as CPD for Pharmacists?

The Pharmacy Board recognises a broad range of professional development activities. The guiding principle is that CPD must be relevant to your scope of practice as a pharmacist and contribute to maintaining or improving your competence.

Recognised Activities

Formal Learning

• Accredited pharmacy courses and postgraduate study
• Pharmacy conferences, seminars, and workshops
• Online learning modules and webinar programs
• Provider-led training programs

Informal Learning

• Reading and critically appraising pharmaceutical research and journals
• Self-directed research on clinical topics
• Reviewing therapeutic guidelines and updates

Peer Review and Collaboration

• Clinical case reviews and peer discussion groups
• Professional networking with structured learning outcomes
• Mentoring and being mentored by colleagues

Quality Improvement

• Quality improvement activities in pharmacy practice
• Developing or reviewing standard operating procedures
• Implementing new services or clinical programs

Teaching and Education

• Preceptoring pharmacy students and interns
• Delivering education sessions to colleagues or other health professionals
• Developing educational materials

Understanding the Annual CPD Period

Pharmacists complete CPD annually. The key distinction is that the CPD period and the registration renewal deadline are not the same date.

CPD period

Complete 40 CPD credits in the 12-month period ending 30 September.

Registration renewal

Renew your AHPRA registration by 30 November. Your CPD records should already be up to date before this renewal deadline.

Practical tracking

Aim to review your progress well before September so you are not trying to reconstruct records during the renewal window.

Tracking the Requirement

The credit-based requirement means you need to track:

1. Your CPD credits for the current annual CPD period
2. The activity evidence that supports those credits
3. Your 30 November registration renewal date as a separate deadline

This is where many pharmacists come unstuck. A simple spreadsheet can work, but it requires careful setup to keep credits, evidence, and the renewal date distinct.

A dedicated CPD tracker like CPDKeep keeps the 40-credit annual target explicit and helps you monitor progress before the 30 September CPD period ends.

What to Document

For each CPD activity, you should record:

• Date of the activity
• Title and description
• CPD credits awarded toward the 40-credit target
• Activity duration where it helps distinguish time spent from credits awarded
• Category of CPD
• Provider (if applicable)
• Evidence — certificates, reflective notes, or other supporting documents
• How it relates to your practice as a pharmacist

Common Questions

Can I count CPD I completed overseas?

Yes, if the activity is relevant to your practice in Australia and meets the Pharmacy Board's CPD standards. Keep evidence in English or provide a translation.

Do I need to submit my CPD records annually?

No. The Pharmacy Board doesn't routinely collect CPD records. However, they can audit your records at any time, and you must be able to produce them upon request.

What if I move between practice areas?

CPD should be relevant to your current scope of practice. If you change practice areas, your CPD activities should reflect your new role. Previous CPD relevant to your old role may still count if it was completed during the current cycle.

Does studying for a pharmacy specialisation count?

Yes. Postgraduate study, specialist training, and coursework relevant to your pharmacy practice all count as CPD. Log the CPD credits awarded, and keep activity duration separately where it helps distinguish time spent from credits.

What happens if I don't meet the requirements?

Non-compliance with CPD requirements may affect your registration renewal. If audited and found non-compliant, the Pharmacy Board may impose conditions or require a remediation plan.

Tips for Staying on Track

1. Aim for consistency — around 10 CPD credits per quarter is more manageable than a rush in September
2. Mix formal and informal — Balance structured courses with self-directed learning
3. Log activities immediately — Don't rely on memory
4. Keep evidence organised — Save certificates digitally alongside your records
5. Check progress regularly — Know where you stand against the 40-credit annual target before 30 September

Track Your Pharmacist CPD with CPDKeep

CPDKeep is built for Australian pharmacists with the credit-based annual requirement in mind. It tracks your 40 CPD credits for the annual CPD period, keeps 30 September CPD period end separate from 30 November registration renewal, sends reminders, and generates audit-ready reports.

Start tracking your pharmacist CPD for free — sign up for CPDKeep.