14 December 2005
Graduate pharmacists are in great demand in Australia, a national survey has found.
Nearly 99 per cent of all Australia's graduate pharmacists achieve full-time employment in their chosen field soon after they complete their studies, according to the Graduate Destination Survey, 2005.
The study found 98.7 per cent of graduate pharmacists settle into the workforce within four months of obtaining their degree.
That figure is better than the average as the survey showed that almost 81 per cent of graduates overall find full-time work.
The only graduates who achieve a higher rate of employment are mining engineers with 98.9 per cent in full-time employment after study.
Medicine reported full-time employment among 98.3 per cent of graduates, 88.4 per cent of law graduates found jobs and nearly 78 per cent of education graduates were placed in the workforce.
Although pharmacy graduates achieve very high employment, their salaries in their first year are relatively modest at an average of $30,000.
However, another survey showed pharmacists' wages almost double 12 months after they graduate, rising to $58,000 the following year.
The Pharmacy Post-Registration Survey for 2005 was conducted by Graduate Careers Australia for the Committee of Heads of Pharmacy Schools in Australia and New Zealand.
The Dean of Monash University's Victorian College of Pharmacy, Professor Colin Chapman, who chaired the committee, said the results provided the first true picture of young pharmacists' income and employment prospects.
"It is particularly encouraging to note that earnings for young pharmacists after their compulsory registration year are competitive with other professions," Professor Chapman said.
For more information call Ms Robyn Anns Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.
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