Aged Care On-site Pharmacist
The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) program is an Australian Government initiative designed to embed community pharmacists directly within residential aged care homes. This program supports safe, effective and person-centred medication management for older people.
Older people in residential aged care often have complex medication needs. On-site pharmacists work closely with aged care staff, GPs and pharmacies to:
- improve medication safety
- reduce medication-related harm
- support the quality use of medicines
- promote a culture of medication awareness and review.
On-site pharmacists are employed directly by or embedded in aged care homes and perform a range of clinical and advisory roles, including:
- conducting medication reviews and reconciliation
- identifying and managing medication-related risks
- educating staff and residents about medicines
- collaborating with prescribers and external community pharmacies
- ensuring compliance with aged care medication standards and reporting.
On-site pharmacists do not replace existing pharmacy services (eg. community or hospital pharmacy services) but instead enhance coordination and oversight.
Benefits for residential aged care homes
Having an on-site pharmacist supports aged care providers to:
- deliver higher quality, safer care
- reduce hospitalisations from medication-related incidents
- strengthen compliance with Aged Care Quality Standards
- provide tailored medication education for staff
- foster stronger multidisciplinary care teams.
As a Primary Health Network, we support the implementation and integration of on-site pharmacists within residential aged care homes across our region. This includes:
- engaging with aged care providers to identify readiness and support needs
- facilitating connections between RACHs and qualified community pharmacists
- supporting identification of eligible community pharmacists
- sharing resources, tools and best-practice guidelines.
Program eligibility and requirements
Residential aged care homes
- Receive residential care facility subsidy from the Australian Government in accordance with the Aged Care Act 1997
- Are an Australian Government-funded transition care facility
- Are a Multi-Purpose Service
- Are a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care facility.
Participating residential aged care homes must either:
- Have an electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) in place, or
- Commit to introducing an eNRMC within the next 12 months.
Residential aged care homes that provide only respite care are not eligible.
Pharmacies
- Any approved Section 90 pharmacy can participate.
Pharmacists
To participate, on-site pharmacists must either:
- Have completed an Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program
- Have an existing Medication Management Review credential and commit to completing by 30 June 2026 either:
- an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program, or
- an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist recognition of prior learning process.
From 1 July 2026 all community pharmacists participating in the measure must have completed an APC-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program.
Funding
The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) Program provides government funding to support residential aged care homes embed pharmacists into their care teams.
Funding is based on the size of the home:
- One full-time equivalent (FTE) community pharmacist per 250 beds
- Support is provided in 50-bed increments, equivalent to one day per week of community pharmacist time on-site
Funding does not cover:
- Medicine or medical device supply or delivery, eg. from a community pharmacy to the residential aged care home
- Medicine re-packaging, eg. dose administration aids
- Set up of pharmacies in residential aged care homes.
Claiming support
Claims are managed through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA).
- As of 1 July 2024, community pharmacies participating in the program have been able to claim funding for community pharmacists they provide to residential aged care homes.
- From 1 October 2024, residential aged care homes that directly employ a community pharmacist can also begin lodging claims through the PPA.
For detailed claiming guidelines and program information, visit the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Program.
More information
If your residential aged care home is looking to participate in the program or seeking support, view our FAQs or contact our Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care team via email.
