Short answer
In New South Wales a trained pharmacist can give the flu vaccine from age 2 and most other vaccines from age 5, treat an uncomplicated UTI in women aged 18 to 65, and resupply your regular contraception without a script. They can also treat eczema, school sores, shingles and mild psoriasis. A small number of pharmacists with extra qualifications can start contraception and treat a few more conditions.
At a glance
Vaccinations
Trained pharmacists in NSW can give the flu vaccine from age 2 and most other vaccines from age 5, including travel vaccines such as hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera. Shingles vaccines are for adults.
Free flu vaccines are available at pharmacies for children aged 2 to under 5, people 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with some medical conditions. Children aged 2 to 4 can have the nasal spray flu vaccine for free. Other free vaccines, such as shingles for people 65 and over, are also given in pharmacies if you're eligible. The vaccine itself is free, but a pharmacy can charge a fee for giving it to a child under 5.
NSW has announced that from 2027 pharmacists will be able to give some National Immunisation Program vaccines to more people, young children included, mainly for urgent needs such as travel or an outbreak.
UTI treatment without a doctor
Women aged 18 to 65 with symptoms of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, such as stinging when you wee or needing to go often, can see a trained pharmacist. If you meet the criteria, the pharmacist can treat it without a prescription and, if you agree, send the details to your doctor.
Mild UTIs often settle within a week on their own, and the pharmacist may talk you through that option. They'll refer you to a GP if you aren't eligible or the infection might be more serious.
Contraception without a script
If you're 18 to 49 and have used the same contraception for 2 years on a script from your GP or nurse practitioner, a trained pharmacist can resupply it without a new prescription. Some methods, and women 40 and over, need extra checks.
Since June 2026, some pharmacists with a university prescribing qualification can also start, change or resupply contraception for low-risk women aged 18 to 39. Only a small number of pharmacies offer this so far.
Skin conditions
Trained pharmacists in NSW can treat these skin conditions without a prescription:
More conditions with specially trained pharmacists
A limited number of pharmacists in NSW have finished university-level prescribing training. As well as the services above, they can treat:
Around 250 more pharmacists are expected to qualify over the coming months. A trial for ear infections, wound care and help with conditions like high blood pressure was announced in September 2026 but hasn't started yet.
What any pharmacist can do
- Give you an emergency supply of a regular medicine, up to a week's worth or the smallest pack, if you've run out and can't see your doctor
- For some regular PBS medicines, such as asthma, diabetes, heart, cholesterol and contraceptive pill medicines, supply one more pack without a script when you're stable and can't get a new one in time. This can be done once in 12 months (continued dispensing)
- Fill valid eScripts and paper scripts from your doctor or other prescriber
- Advise on minor illnesses and over-the-counter medicines, and tell you when to see a doctor
What it costs
Government-funded vaccines are free for eligible people at many pharmacies, but not every pharmacy takes part. For children under 5 a pharmacy can still charge a fee for giving the vaccine, so ask the cost before you book. For UTI treatment, contraception and skin conditions, the pharmacy can charge a consultation fee, and anything supplied is priced like a private script, so it costs more than a PBS script. Ask about the cost before you start.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Services differ from pharmacy to pharmacy, so call ahead. In an emergency call 000.