Short answer
Queensland gives pharmacists one of the widest roles in Australia. Trained pharmacists can give vaccines with no fixed minimum age, treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 18 to 65 and prescribe contraception from age 16. Authorised pharmacists can also treat 15 common conditions, from ear infections to shingles, and these services are now permanent.
At a glance
Vaccinations
Since March 2026, trained pharmacist immunisers in Queensland can give any prescription-only vaccine the national immunisation guidelines support, at any age those guidelines allow. That includes flu, whooping cough, measles-mumps-rubella, hepatitis A and B, HPV, shingles, pneumococcal and RSV, plus travel vaccines such as typhoid, cholera, Japanese encephalitis and rabies (before travel).
Some vaccines are free through the National Immunisation Program or Queensland programs, and who qualifies depends on the vaccine and the program. Ask whether yours is free, and what you'd pay if not, before you go ahead.
UTI treatment without a doctor
Women aged 18 to 65 with an uncomplicated bladder infection (cystitis) can be treated by a trained pharmacist without a prescription. The pharmacist will check your symptoms and refer you to a GP if the infection might be more serious.
Contraception
Authorised pharmacists in Queensland can prescribe contraception for women aged 16 and over, both to start a new method and to continue one, with up to 12 months' supply. Expect a blood pressure check during the consultation.
Common conditions pharmacists can treat
Pharmacists with extra training who are on the state's prescriber register can assess and treat:
- Mild plaque psoriasis flare-ups
- Nausea and vomiting from gastro
- Minor wounds
- Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear)
- Middle ear infection
- Hay fever and other rhinitis
- Reflux and heartburn (GORD)
- School sores (impetigo)
- Weight management
- Mild to moderate acne (age 12 and over)
- Mild to moderate eczema (from 6 months)
- Mild muscle and joint pain
- Shingles
- Help to quit smoking
- Travel health, such as malaria tablets and altitude sickness
They can also check your oral health and apply fluoride varnish. Age limits apply to most services, and the pharmacist will check you're eligible. A separate pilot, running until mid-2027, helps some people manage heart disease risk, asthma and COPD at the pharmacy.
What any pharmacist can do
- Supply one pack of a regular medicine in an emergency if you've run out and can't get a script in time. This needs a recent supply (within the last 6 months), and a pharmacy can do it once a year per medicine
- 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
You pay the full cost of the consultation, and it isn't covered by Medicare. Anything supplied is on a private script, not PBS, so it can cost more and doesn't count towards the Safety Net. The pharmacist should explain the total 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.