Registered Nurses Begin Prescribing Courses in Australia
02 Mar 2026
These programs are designed to make healthcare more accessible and safe for patients.
Four programs have received approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and accreditation from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Completing one of these programs gives nurses the official endorsement to prescribe medications.
The approved courses are:
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La Trobe University – Graduate Certificate in RN Prescribing
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University of Melbourne – Specialist Certificate in RN Prescribing
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University of Tasmania – Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice
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Queensland University of Technology – Designated Prescribing Course
Endorsed nurses can, under the guidance of an authorised health professional, prescribe, administer, supply, or hold Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 8 medicines, following the rules in their state or territory.
To be eligible, a nurse must:
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Be fully registered in Australia without conditions
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Have at least three years of clinical experience since first registering
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Complete the required approved study units or an equivalent course
These programs mark an important step in expanding nurses’ roles and improving access to care across the country.
https://swsphn.com.au/
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 2026.
