Quick Summary
The APC announced on 30 June 2025 that it will retire its 2013 CPD Accreditation Standards, ending third-party CPD accreditation from 31 December 2025. The move reflects the profession's expanding scope of practice and aligns APC with the Pharmacy Board of Australia's approach, while PSA, Advanced Pharmacy Australia, and the Australasian College of Pharmacy manage the transition for pharmacists and CPD providers.
What Is APC's Decision to Retire CPD Accreditation Standards?
The Australian Pharmacy Council has confirmed it will end accreditation of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities and formally retire the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Professional Development Activities (2013). These standards have for over a decade, guided how third-party organisations accredited CPD content for practising pharmacists across Australia. From 31 December 2025, this accreditation pathway through APC will no longer operate.
Why Is APC Retiring the CPD Accreditation Standards?
APC has explained that pharmacy practice has changed considerably since 2013, with pharmacists now taking on expanded responsibilities in prescribing, aged care, and medication management. The existing framework was built for an earlier version of the profession, and APC felt it no longer matched how pharmacists work today.
Chief Executive Officer Bronwyn Clark pointed to a few key reasons behind the decision:
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It brings APC in line with the wider CPD accreditation landscape.
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The Pharmacy Board of Australia does not mandate third-party accreditation of CPD.
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The Board is preparing to consult publicly on revised CPD Registration Standards, making this a timely moment for APC to step back from accreditation.
Key Highlights of the APC CPD Accreditation Update
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Announcement Date | 30 June 2025 |
| What's Changing | APC ceases accrediting CPD activities and retires the 2013 CPD standards. |
| Accreditation Ends | 31 December 2025 |
| Reason | Expanded pharmacist roles (prescribing, aged care, and medicines management) need updated frameworks. |
| APC's Position | Aligns with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, which does not require third-party CPD accreditation. |
| Transition Partners | Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Advanced Pharmacy Australia, Australasian College of Pharmacy |
| Logo Use | APC logos permitted on accredited material until 31 December 2026 |
| Existing Activities | Remain valid until their original accreditation expiry date |
What Is the Transition Plan for CPD Providers and Pharmacists?
APC worked with its three accrediting partner organisations PSA, Advanced Pharmacy Australia, and the Australasian College of Pharmacy to build a transition plan so the change doesn't disrupt pharmacists mid-cycle. The plan covers a few key points:
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These organisations could keep accrediting activities against the 2013 APC standards right up to 31 December 2025; after that date, no new activities can be accredited under the retiring framework.
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Any CPD activity a pharmacist already completed or enrolled in keeps its accreditation status until its own listed expiry date it doesn't lose validity just because APC's standards are retiring.
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The standards document itself will stay published on APC's website for reference.
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Accredited providers may continue displaying the APC logo on promotional material until 31 December 2026.
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PSA has since published its own new CPD Standards for pharmacists, giving providers a fresh framework to seek accreditation going forward.
What Should Pharmacists Do Now?
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Check the expiry date of any accredited CPD activity you've completed or enrolled in | Confirms whether it's still counted as accredited |
| Contact your education/CPD provider for activity-specific details | APC recommends providers as the first point of contact |
| Continue undertaking CPD even without accreditation | The Pharmacy Board doesn't mandate accredited CPD |
| Watch for the Pharmacy Board's revised CPD Registration Standards consultation | Will shape future CPD requirements |
| Keep an eye on PSA's new CPD Standards and provider list | Sets the framework replacing the retired APC standards |
What Remains Unchanged in APC's Role?
Retiring the CPD accreditation standards does not touch APC's core responsibilities. APC continues to:
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Accredit pharmacy degree programs
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Oversee intern training programs
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Manage accreditation for Medicines Management Review (MMR) programs
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Accredit Aged Care pharmacist programs
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Accredit Pharmacist Prescriber programs
This narrowing of scope effectively lets APC concentrate more on these core education and training pathways rather than spreading its resources across third-party CPD accreditation as well.
How Elite Expertise Supports Aspiring Pharmacists in Australia
While this change affects CPD accreditation for already-registered pharmacists, internationally qualified pharmacists still need to clear the OPRA (KAPS) exam, English proficiency requirements, and internship exams before registering with AHPRA. This is where structured coaching makes a real difference.
Elite Expertise runs a dedicated OPRA exam preparation course led by Arief Mohammad, KAPS-qualified, AACP-accredited Consultant and Clinical Pharmacist at Northern Health (Melbourne), and Harika Bheemavarapu, KAPS-qualified, AACP-accredited Consultant, Clinical Pharmacist and Educator at Monash Health (Melbourne), who together have guided thousands of candidates through the OPRA exam. The course includes:
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Live and recorded sessions across a 15-week, 3.5-month program
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300+ hours of lectures and 3,000+ practice questions
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Regular mock exams and assignment feedback sessions
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A dedicated WhatsApp peer community
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Guidance through later stages like the intern written and oral exams
Final Thoughts
APC's decision to retire its CPD Accreditation Standards is less about pharmacists losing support and more about the profession's regulatory framework catching up with how pharmacy is actually practised today. With the Pharmacy Board not requiring accredited CPD and PSA stepping in with a refreshed standards framework, pharmacists have a reasonably smooth runway to adjust. The practical takeaway for now: check expiry dates, stay in touch with your CPD provider, and watch for the Pharmacy Board's upcoming consultation on CPD Registration Standards.
Key Takeaways
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The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) will stop accrediting CPD activities after 31 December 2025.
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The 2013 Accreditation Standards for CPD Activities are being retired.
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Existing accredited activities stay valid until their own expiry date.
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Providers can keep using the APC logo on promotional material until 31 December 2026.
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The Pharmacy Board of Australia does not require third-party accredited CPD.
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APC will keep approving pharmacy degrees, internships, and prescriber programs as usual.
Reference
https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/media-hub/apc-announces-retirement-of-cpd-standards/