Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP)
About aged care on-site pharmacists – ACOP
The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) initiative commenced on 1 July 2024 as a key recommendation 38 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Aiming to improve medication management safety for residents living in a Residential Aged care home (RACH).
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are actively engaged in supporting this initiative by raising awareness, helping RACHs and pharmacies navigate eligibility, connection and claiming processes to ensure successful implementation.
What is ACOP?
Residential Aged care providers can now engage with an on-site pharmacist to work within their RACH. These pharmacists play an active clinical role to improve medication safety and improving resident care as part of the ACOP initiative.
PHNs are also involved in making this initiative a success. PHNs are supporting RACHs and pharmacies under the measure to navigate eligibility and claiming processes and connect credentialed pharmacists to ensure smooth implementation and better access.
Benefits of an On-site Pharmacist
Engaging an on-site ACOP pharmacist delivers significant advantages for RACHs enhancing medication safety, clinical care and overall quality of services. Key benefits include:
Improving medication safety and reducing adverse events
Supporting deprescribing and polypharmacy management
Providing education for care staff
Enhancing communication and transitions of care
Contributing to quality improvement and compliance
How does it work?
Tier 1
RACHs are required to approach a participating section 90 community pharmacy of their choice to engage an on-site pharmacist. There is no location or proximity restriction, supporting existing relationships between the RACH and their community pharmacy.
The Community Pharmacy claims and receives payments through the Pharmacy Program Administrator (PPA) to engage an ACOP pharmacist for the RACH.
Tier 2
RACHs can only participate in Tier 2 of the measure where they have been unsuccessful in sourcing an ACOP from at least one community pharmacy. In this case, the RACH may engage its own Pharmacist.
Once a pharmacist has been sourced the RACH must first register their intended ACOP via the PPA Portal and gain approval.
The RACH is responsible for submitting all claims, including timesheets and work activities, to the PPA. Payments are made to the RACH, which then pays the ACOP pharmacists salary.
Residential Aged Care Home eligibility
To participate in the ACOP measure, a RACH must:
Receive residential care facility subsidy under the Aged Care Act 1997
Are an Australian Government-funded transition care facility
Are a Multi-Purpose Service (MPS).
Are a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care facility
Not eligible: RACH’s that only provide only respite care.
Funding Structure
Funding is based on the number of beds and the corresponding pharmacist days. It is organised in 50 bed increments, with one on-site pharmacist per day per week for every 50 beds.
For example, a RACH with between 201 – 250 residents are entitled to a full-time (1.0 FTE) pharmacist onsite.
The measure is fully funded by the Australian government.
Funding does not cover travel by the pharmacist to the RACH.
Important:
RACH’s with an on-site ACOP cannot engage external pharmacists for Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) or Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) services.
RACH's without an ACOP pharmacist will continue accessing external QUM and RMMR support as is current practice.
Pharmacists Credentials to participate in the ACOP measure
To work as an ACOP pharmacist, pharmacists must hold the ACOP Credential. This can be achieved by meeting one of the following requirements: Complete an Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)-accredited aged care on-site pharmacist training program
OR
Hold an existing Medication Management Review (MMR) credential and, by 30 June 2026, complete either:
an APC‑accredited ACOP training program; or
an APC‑accredited recognition of prior learning (RPL) process for ACOP.
From 1 July 2026, all pharmacists in ACOP must have completed an ACOP‑accredited aged care on‑site pharmacist training program.
Claiming
The Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA) is an agency responsible for administering, processing and paying claims.
Since 1 July 2024, participating community pharmacies have been able to claim funding for ACOP pharmacist salaries through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator portal Additionally participating RACHs have been able to engage ACOP pharmacists directly, with claiming through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator available from 1 October 2024.
MPHNs role - How can we support you?
We’re here to make ACOP simple for you. Our team can guide you through the process, answer your questions and connect you with the right people. Whether yours a RACH or a pharmacy, we’ll help you understand what’s required and how to get started.
Explain what ACOP is and how it works
Help you check if your RACH or pharmacy is eligible
Guide you through Tier 1 and Tier 2 options
Connect you with credentialed pharmacists in our region
Support you with PPA claiming and eNRMC requirements
Share resources and updates so you stay compliant
If you’re a pharmacist or community pharmacy interested in ACOP, we want to hear from you!
Contact
Lynda Rhodes – Healthy Ageing Project Officer
lynda.rhodes@mphn.org.au