Australian PR Points for Hospital Pharmacist, ANZSCO 251511
Hospital Pharmacists (ANZSCO 251511) are critical healthcare professionals on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Healthcare occupations receive priority processing, making all three visa pathways (189, 190, 491) strong options for eligible candidates. Note: This code specifically refers to Hospital Pharmacists; Retail Pharmacists fall under ANZSCO 251513.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Hospital Pharmacist, STSOL
A viable pathway. Historical rounds (2023-2024) have invited healthcare workers at 70-75 points, though future cutoffs may vary.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
States often prioritize healthcare workers for 190 nominations, subject to state-specific employment and residency criteria.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
A strong option for candidates willing to live and work in designated regional areas.
→ Subclass 491 guideYour Pharmacist Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | N/A | +5 | +15 |
| Historical cutoff (2023-2024) | 70-75 pts | 70-80 pts | 65-75 pts |
| Occupation list | STSOL | STSOL | STSOL |
| Typical invitation frequency | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Primary assessing body | APC | APC | APC |
Invitation cutoffs vary by round and occupation ceiling. These figures are based on the most recent SkillSelect data available.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for latest resultsSkills Assessment for Pharmacist
A positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251511) is assessed by Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
| Assessing body | Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) |
| Official portal | pharmacycouncil.org.au |
| Processing time | Up to 4 weeks |
| Approximate fee | AUD $1,110 |
| Assessment type | Skills assessment |
| Qualification required | Recognised Pharmacy Degree + Registration |
Assessed by the APC. Requires graduation from a recognised program and current registration. The process evaluates qualifications, English language proficiency, and practice readiness. Note: Migration skills assessment is separate from Ahpra registration, which is required to practice.
⚠ Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid at the time you RECEIVE your Invitation to Apply, not just when you submit your EOI. Skills assessments are typically valid for 2-3 years. If your assessment is approaching expiry, apply for renewal before your EOI lapses.
→ Complete Skills Assessment GuideState Nomination for Pharmacists: Which States to Target
State nomination adds +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Not all states nominate all occupations in all rounds.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Conditional | Conditional | Check current NSW occupation list. Employment in NSW generally required. |
| VIC | Conditional | Conditional | ROI required. Targets candidates working in health sector. |
| QLD | Conditional | Conditional | Requires local employment in QLD for onshore applicants. |
| SA | Conditional | Conditional | Varies depending on residency status and local employment. |
| WA | Conditional | Conditional | Check WA skilled migration list. Favorable for WA graduates. |
| TAS | Conditional | Conditional | Requires meeting TAS graduate, employment, or business criteria. |
| ACT | Conditional | Conditional | Canberra matrix applies. Local residency strongly favoured. |
| NT | Conditional | Conditional | NT residents and graduates heavily preferred. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically. Always verify at each state's official migration portal before applying.
If you have lower points, the 491 state nomination is your most realistic pathway. Focus on states where you can secure employment in your nominated occupation.
How to Improve Your Score as a Pharmacist
Personalised to ANZSCO 251511, the improvements with the highest impact for your specific occupation.
1. Superior English
Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7.0) to Superior (IELTS 8.0/PTE 79) adds 10 points, the single fastest gain available regardless of occupation. Crucial to stand out.
→ English points guide2. State Nomination (190/491)
Targeting a state visa adds 5-15 points immediately and lowers the competitive threshold. This is mandatory if your occupation is on the STSOL.
→ State nomination guide3. Partner Skills / NAATI
Claiming 5 points for NAATI CCL (credentialed community language) or maximising partner skills points (+5 to +10) can make a critical difference in competitive state rounds.
→ Partner points guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reform Affects Pharmacists
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect.
The proposed points test reform aims to prioritize candidates with strong earnings and in-demand skills. If you earn a high salary, you may benefit significantly from the proposed income-based points structure. Conversely, candidates with lower English scores or limited experience may face increased difficulty if the base pass mark is raised to 70 as proposed.
→ Learn more about the 2026 points test reform