ANZSCO 2515-11, 13 Tasmania
Hospital / Retail Pharmacist June 2017
Labour Economics Office Tasmania
Department of Employment
Current labour market rating Regional recruitment difficulty
Previous labour market rating (June 2016) No shortage
Comments
Recent research indicates employers are experiencing difficulty recruiting retail pharmacists in regional areas of Tasmania, while employers were able to fill vacancies for hospital pharmacists state-wide.
Survey results[1]
· A Department of Employment survey of employers who recently advertised for hospital and retail pharmacists found 85 per cent of vacancies filled.
o All vacancies for hospital pharmacists across the state were filled.
o Metropolitan vacancies for retail pharmacists were filled, however vacancies in regional areas remained unfilled.
· All employers required applicants to have degree level qualifications and be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
o There were 1.4 qualified applicants per vacancy with one applicant per vacancy considered suitable. This is a decrease from the previous year, where there was an average of 2.8 qualified applicants per vacancy.
· Employers in regional areas experienced difficulty recruiting retail pharmacists, with
all vacancies remaining unfilled.
o A small number of employers did not receive any qualified applicants for their positions, while some employers received suitable and qualified applicants, however they would not relocate for the position.
· A number of employers stated they find it difficult to find locums to fill short term and relief positions, with a small number of employers recruiting locums from interstate.
Unsuitable applicants
· The main reasons employers considered applicants unsuitable were due to not holding the required qualification and registration.
· Unsuitability of qualified applicants included lack of retail experience and an inability to work casual rostered shifts.
Demand and supply trends
· Demand for pharmacists is driven by factors such as the general health and ageing of the population. Underlying demand for pharmacists continues to grow steadily.
o Data from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) indicates as at 30 June 2016 there were 701 pharmacists whose principal place of practice was Tasmania. This represents an increase of 11.6 per cent on the number recorded as at 30 June 2012. [2]
o The number of prescriptions dispensed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Tasmania increased by 9.3 per cent per cent for the period June 2011 to June 2016.[3]
o Over the period from April 2013 to April 2017, retail turnover in the Tasmanian pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retail sector grew by 37.3 per cent.[4]
o The number of patient separations (episodes of care) from public hospitals in Tasmania grew by 2.6 per cent from June 2015 to June 2016. In the five years to June 2016, separations from public hospitals have increased by 23.1 per cent.[5]
o In the five years to June 2015, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Tasmania increased by 14.9 per cent.[6] Additionally, as at June 2015, Tasmania had the highest proportion of people aged 65 years and over at 18.0 per cent, compared to 15.0 per cent nationally. Tasmania also has the oldest median age, which is 41.9 years, and the largest increase in median age between 2010 and 2015, (increasing by 1.9 years).[7]
· The main source of supply for pharmacists is through the completion of a four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy course. Data provided by the University of Tasmania shows in 2016 there were 30 new domestic graduates. This is an increase from the 21 completions in 2015 and equal to the number of completions in 2011.[8]
Labour Economics Office Tasmania
Department of Employment
[1] The methodology underpinning this research is outlined at Skill Shortage Research Methodology | Department of Employment - Document library, Australian Government and can also be accessed by the QR code.
[2] Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Annual Reports, 2015/16 and 2011/12
[3] Australian Government Department of Health, PBS Expenditure and Prescriptions twelve months to 30 June 2011 and 2016, downloaded from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme website.
[4] ABS, Retail Turnover, State by Industry Subgroup, Trend, April 2017
[5] Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Admitted Patient Care 2011-12 to 2015-16, Australian Hospital Statistics.
[6] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Estimated Resident Population – Persons 65 years and over, Tasmania, 2011 to 2015
[7] Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2015, Tasmania
[8] University of Tasmania, unpublished data, 2011, 2015 and 2016