The next evolution of Australia national accreditation program for community pharmacies

From 1 October, pharmacies will be accredited under the Quality and Safety Pharmacy Program (QSPP).

QSPP builds on the strong foundations established under the QCPP since 1997 and reflects the evolution of community pharmacy practice, and supports the growing role of community pharmacies in primary healthcare.

QSPP will accredit pharmacies against Australian Community Pharmacy Standard AS85000:2024, which aligns community pharmacy accreditation with contemporary healthcare principles and the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.

The shift places a greater focus on quality and safety while reflecting changes in pharmacy practice. 

Natalie Willis, Chair of the Clinical Governance Committee, believes the introduction of QSPP will equip pharmacies to realise their full potential in the coming years.

“The existing QCPP has served our sector incredibly well since its introduction,” she says.

“More than 95% of community pharmacies are accredited.

“The evolution to QSPP will support community pharmacies to be at the forefront of healthcare in Australia into the future.

“QSPP has been designed to place greater focus on clinical governance and patient engagement.

“It will reduce administrative burden while continuing to set the highest standards. It also aligns with contemporary healthcare principles, including the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.

“That will provide government, regulators, and patients with greater confidence in the high-quality care and clinical outcomes that pharmacies deliver in the heart of Australian communities.”

Under QSPP, the framework is streamlined from five domains to four integrated domains, creating a more holistic structure that aligns patient needs, professional responsibilities, and operational realities.

Individual service assessment is being replaced with a tiered model that reflects the level and complexity of services each pharmacy delivers.

The accreditation cycle will extend from two years to three years and will be supported by a virtual mid-cycle review to promote continuous improvement.

Accreditation under QSPP will begin from 1 October 2026.

Pharmacies will receive notification of the changes, including their new accreditation date, during May 2026.

The change to QSPP is being supported by a suite of dedicated resources to help community pharmacies prepare for a smooth transition.

A new QSPP website is now live, and a new, user-friendly Knowledge Hub is coming in late April to help pharmacies stay informed and prepared.

In the meantime, the existing QCPP website and Knowledge Hub will remain available during the transition period.

Attendees of APP2026 will be able to hear more at a detailed conference session on Friday, 13 March, and directly from the team at the QSPP stand.

The Quality and Safety team will also deliver a range of in-person roadshows across the country from late April onwards.

More details and sign-up for these are available via the QSPP website.