Program Overview

Certificate in Pharmacy Technician (Level 5)

The Certificate in Pharmacy Technician (Level 5) is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of pharmacy technology.

Program Details

• Credits: 149
• Duration: 62 teaching weeks + 8 study break weeks, and either 4 or 8 weeks of summer break depending on intake start date
• Delivery: This program features 4 semesters
• Commitment required for this program:
  • 20 hours per week engaging in face-to-face learning activities
  • 10 hours per week completing independent study tasks
• Practicum: 440 hours in a commercial healthcare setting, made up of 22 consecutive weeks of practicum

Fees

• Domestic: $6,620
• International: $29,298
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Students enrolled in this program must bring their own device (laptop or tablet)

Intake Dates

The program has multiple intake dates:

• 06 April 2026
• 18 May 2026
• 29 June 2026
• 10 August 2026
• 21 September 2026
• 02 November 2026

NZ Qualification Gained

Upon completion of the program, students will gain the New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician - Advanced) (Level 5)

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Apply an advanced level of knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and medicines used in the treatment of health disorders
• Apply appropriate communication techniques to inform customers/patients on health-related matters
• Apply knowledge of medicines as they relate to the treatment of a range of common health disorders
• Apply knowledge of pharmacology and how medicines work and affect body systems to understand their use as dispensed medicines for the treatment of health issues
• Apply all legislation and regulations as appropriate to Pharmacy Technicians
• Work ethically and professionally within the Pharmacy Council Code of Ethics as relevant to Pharmacy technicians
• Provide First Aid
• Communicate and interact with pharmacy team members and customers/patients to ensure the provision of appropriate customer service
• Provide advice and guidance on the use of dispensed medicines, including drug dosing and drug interactions
• Communicate appropriately and interact effectively with other healthcare professionals and their staff
• Perform calculations as appropriate to dispensing
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving processes to achieve appropriate solutions in advanced dispensing techniques and/or optimizing patient outcomes
• Dispense and reconstitute medicines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist
• Manage inventory and facilitate supply arrangements with others as appropriate to the pharmacy and its specific community
• Manage dispensary stock and inventory using appropriate environmental and storage requirements

Career Pathways

Graduates will be able to work in a dispensing pharmacy under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. They will be able to work in a range of dispensary-related roles, including those in community, hospital, industrial, and educational settings in pharmacy. Students may also pathway to further learning, such as the NZ Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician - Specialist) (Level 6).

Entry Requirements

• Domestic students:
  • 18 years of age at program start date
  • Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Introduction to Pharmacy Practice) (Level 3) qualification, or a domestic or international bachelor's degree qualification in a health-related field, or comparable pharmacy qualification
• International students:
  • 18 years of age at program start date
  • Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Introduction to Pharmacy Practice) (Level 3) qualification, or a domestic or international bachelor degree qualification in a health-related field, or comparable pharmacy qualification
  • IELTS 5.5 with individual no bands less than 5.0 or equivalent

Program Structure

The program is divided into trimesters:

Trimester 1

• Credits: 52
• Duration: 20 weeks + 4 break weeks
• Modules included: 1.1 Pharmtech 1.2 Pharmtech 1.3 Pharmtech 1.4 Pharmtech

Trimester 2

• Credits: 47
• Duration: 20 weeks + 4 break weeks
• Modules included: 2.1 Pharmtech 2.2 Pharmtech 2.3 Pharmtech 2.4 Pharmtech

Trimester 3

• Credits: 50
• Duration: 22 weeks
• Modules included: 3.1 Pharmtech 3.2 Pharmtech 3.3 Pharmtech

Fee Protection

Under the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2026, student fees paid in advance must be protected through an approved student fee protection arrangement. Student fees paid in advance are held in a student fee protection account, and fees are drawn down after commencement in stages as the course is delivered. In the event a program is terminated and alternative tuition services are not provided, the student is entitled to a refund of prepaid student fees on a pro-rata basis for the balance of the course.