ANZCAP is a landmark recognition program for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across Australia and New Zealand, developed by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) in partnership with the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association (NZHPA) and are mapped to relevant competency standards for Australia or New Zealand.

ANZCAP offers recognition as a Pharmacist Resident, Pharmacist Registrar or Pharmacist Consultant (Fellow). Read more about the descriptions of the different recognition levels, including related specialty areas of practice and post-nominals.

Any registered pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand can access ANZCAP through Direct ANZCAP Membership, register and login at anzcap.org.

If you have a currently active SHPA Membership, you can access ANZCAP at no cost via your Member Dashboard.

If you have a currently active NZHPA Membership, and have not received your free access information, contact NZHPA.

ANZCAP comprises three core pathways, the Foundation Program, Independent Program and Training Programs.

The Foundation Program has now closed for new applications in Australia. The program remains open to pharmacists from New Zealand with access to the ANZCAP platform, until 31 August 2024.

In Australia, the Foundation Program has seen broad uptake and we have deemed it is at capacity given the time required to assess applications before 30 June 2024. However, to ensure equity of access, Australian practitioners who have begun preparing their submission are able to request access via the ANZCAP Info Hub and Help Centre.

View full information of the program including criteria and eligibility via the ANZCAP Info Hub including resources and templates.

Foundation Program FAQs

Can I select more than two areas of specialty practice?

No. You can select one, or a maximum of two areas of specialty practice.

How many letters of support do I need to provide if I want to apply for two specialty areas?

A minimum of two letters of support are required from within pharmacy and externally. You may choose to ask for letters of support from interdisciplinary colleagues in both areas if you feel that one person isn’t able to properly provide support for both.

I am being recognised in two specialty areas, does this change my recognition fee?

No. Costs do not change for the individual based on how many specialties are recognised.

The Independent Program is open to all Australian pharmacists – and to Pharmacy Technicians in late 2024 – providing the full functionality of ANZCAP.

If you have been recognised as a Resident or Registrar through the Foundation Program, you can continue your journey by building a recognition portfolio toward the next recognition via the Independent Program.

The Independent Program is based on managing your Learning Experiences (LX) Library.

LXs are types of workplace-based assessment that can be planned, drafted and then completed through one of three forms of LX validation:

• Autonomous: independently documents the LX, self-evaluate and self-reflect on your professional learning experience.

• Collaborative: engage with professional peers to document evaluation, feedback and guided reflection on your professional experience.

• Endorsed: autonomously document and self-reflect on your professional learning experience that has an established peer review or peer recognition process as part of the activity.

In the Independent Program you allocate validated LXs to your currently active Recognition Portfolio.

Your portfolio is ready for submission when 40 LXs have been completed and allocated: a minimum of 10 Core LXs / maximum of 30 Elective LXs.

Core LXs and Elective LXs are required to ensure an appropriate spread of competency domains are covered in the composition of your recognition portfolio, enabling you to submit for recognition.

Don’t worry about keeping track of Core and Elective LXs; the ANZCAP platform does this for you, with progress dials showing how far you have to go!

Training Programs for Hospital Resident, Hospital Registrar and Community Pharmacy Resident are now available in ANZCAP, providing fast-track two-year recognition via structured, accredited workplace-based training programs, recorded and submitted via the ANZCAP platform.

All submissions for recognition are reviewed by the ANZCAP team within two business days. If, after review, the team has questions about the information you have provided for recognition, you will be contacted to discuss or provide further information.

ANZCAP empowers pharmacists and technicians as they advance in their careers or move between workplace settings, by recognising their growth in experience and expertise.

Access to ANZCAP (through SHPA/NZHPA membership or Direct ANZCAP membership) unlocks access to the intuitive digital platform that enables pharmacists and technicians to seamlessly plan and record evidence of their practice progression.

Users can collate portfolios aligned with one or two of 40 specialty disciplines and submit for recognition and/or export for personal and professional use.  

Upon recognition, ANZCAP provides digital assets through which your achievement can be displayed, including via certificate, post-nominals, email signature and social media tile, which can be shared with colleagues or used in CVs, professional profiles and for job applications.

ANZCAP will also facilitate ‘fast-track’ structured programs across practice settings – Resident Training Programs and Registrar Training Programs – with a Technician Training Program coming in 2024.

Also in 2024, ANZCAP will facilitate networks based on each recognition level, supported with tailored social and networking events, webinars and other benefits.

Yes. While full SHPA and NZHPA members have ANZCAP access included in their annual membership, ANZCAP also offers a Direct ANZCAP Membership that gives access to this functionality only.

Fees for recognition validation and annual renewal are different between SHPA/NZHPA members and Direct ANZCAP members. See: Pricing schedule.

Yes. All ANZCAP recognition portfolios are mapped to the National Competency Standard Framework for Pharmacists in Australia, 2016 and the Competence Standards for Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023.

No. Your Ahpra or PCNZ registration is separate to ANZCAP recognition.

ANZCAP is designed to empower participants with transferable recognition – via post-nominals and digital certification understood by employers and peers, healthcare colleagues and patients receiving care – broadening professional development and career options.

ANZCAP is founded on an advanced and customised portfolio-building IT platform enabling pharmacists and technicians to centrally and securely manage evidence of their career progression.

This platform represents a significant investment by SHPA and, as a for-purpose organisation, annual recognition payments will support this investment in the future of our profession.

ANZCAP is also supported by specialised staff who not only develop and implement recognition programs but ensure the ongoing robustness and sustainability of the ANZCAP framework via regular audits and dispute resolution.

ANZCAP has been designed to be more accessible and inclusive, with the Learning Experience (LX) Library supporting practitioners – from all career stages and care settings – to progressively accumulate evidence of their growing skills and experience over time.

While Advancing Practice ceased in 2020, practitioners who hold valid recognition from this program (credentials are valid for five years) can still use their previous postnominals until they expire, however they may also wish to be recognised by ANZCAP through the Foundation Program.

We recognise that not all specialty areas may be currently available. However, this list we will be regularly reviewed and updated as new specialty areas emerge. In the interim, consider your current role and what it involves – are there specialty areas that are listed that could fit what you do? Are you a generalist rather than practising in one specific area?

You can email us at anzcap@shpa.org.au if you would like us to consider adding a particular specialty in the future.