Hospital Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251511): Code, Skill Level, and Visa Lists

Hospital Pharmacist, ANZSCO 251511

Hospital Pharmacist is ANZSCO code 251511. It sits in skill level 1, the highest skill level in the ANZSCO framework. The ABS defines the role as: prepares and dispenses pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines in a hospital pharmacy. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill level 1 means the occupation typically requires a bachelor degree or higher, or at least five years of relevant experience. For an internationally trained pharmacist, this usually means your qualifications need to be assessed before you can register and work.

This is a regulated profession in Australia. You cannot practise without registration.

Who assesses this occupation

The assessing authority for Hospital Pharmacist (251511) is the Pharmacy Board of Australia, administered through AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). AHPRA manages registration for pharmacists who trained overseas and want to work in Australia.

The Hospital Pharmacist occupation page lists the current authority and links to the official assessment pathway. Check it before you start your application, as requirements can change.

Which visa lists it sits on

Hospital Pharmacist (251511) appears on two Australian Department of Home Affairs occupation lists, as of 2026-05-28:

• Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): opens pathways including the Skills in Demand visa. See the current list at Home Affairs.
• Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): opens the Skilled Nominated (190), Skilled Work Regional (491), and Skilled Regional (887) visa pathways. Same source page.

Being on these lists means the occupation is eligible for certain visa pathways. It does not tell you whether there is a shortage of pharmacists right now. List membership and shortage ratings are two different things. For the current shortage rating from the 2025 Occupation Shortage List, check the Hospital Pharmacist occupation page, which links that data directly.

This occupation also belongs to the broader Pharmacists group (ANZSCO 2515).

Near-miss codes: check you have the right one

Hospital Pharmacist (251511) has two close siblings in the Pharmacists group:

• Retail Pharmacist (251513): works in a community or retail pharmacy, not a hospital setting.
• Industrial Pharmacist (251512): covers research, testing, and production roles in drug manufacturing and distribution, not clinical or retail settings.

If your work spans more than one setting, check which code best matches your primary duties. The distinction matters for your skills assessment.

Find your exact code

Use Browse all ANZSCO occupations to search and compare codes side by side. If you are unsure which code fits your CV, you can paste it at app.anzscofinder.com to see the closest code matches.

This page is information only. For advice on which visa to apply for or whether your qualifications meet the assessment criteria, speak to a registered migration agent.