Victoria is preparing to introduce designated Registered Nurse prescribing. This is a new prescribing model that will allow eligible registered nurses (RNs) to prescribe certain medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner. This change is part of a national move to expand access to timely, safe and affordable healthcare. It will help improve access to medicines for Victorians, especially those in rural and remote areas.
The Victorian Department of Health is working to implement this safely and in stages, with regulatory changes expected in late 2026 before prescribing can begin.
What is a Designated RN prescriber?
A designated RN prescriber is an RN with an endorsement to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines. They do this in partnership with an authorised health practitioner.
This endorsement is called an endorsement for scheduled medicines - designated registered nurse prescriber.
Designated RN prescribing in Victoria
Designated RN prescribing cannot commence in Victoria until changes to the state’s drugs and poisons regulations are made.
These regulatory amendments are expected to be in place around October 2026.
Once the regulatory changes are in place, designated RN prescribing will be introduced to Victoria in stages. In the first phase, designated RN prescribers will only be able to practice in these settings:
- hospitals
- residential aged care
- palliative care
- prisons and police gaols
Allowing prescribing in other settings will require legislative changes, which will happen at a later time.
Becoming a designated RN prescriber
To be endorsed as a designated RN prescriber, an RN must:
- Hold general registration as an RN in Australia, with no conditions or undertaking relevant to this endorsement.
- Have completed 5,000 hours of clinical experience within the past six years (equal to three years full-time experience).
- Have completed postgraduate study that leads to the endorsement or have completed equivalent units approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
- Apply and successfully achieve endorsement as a designated RN prescriber from Ahpra.
The NMBA publishes all approved programs of study on its website. See the NMBA's website for approved programs of study.
Once endorsed by the NMBA, a designated RN prescriber must:
- Complete a six-month clinical mentorship with an authorised health practitioner.
- Only prescribe when the following are in place:
- a prescribing agreement with an authorised health practitioner
- a clinical governance framework to support the model of prescribing
- any legislative and/or regulatory amendments to authorise prescribing at a state/territory level
Important information for RNs considering further study
RNs who are planning to undertake further study to become a designated RN prescriber should talk to their employer prior to enrolling in further study, to ensure their workplace can support the role once it becomes available.
Please note: completing the qualifications and obtaining the endorsement for scheduled medicines - designated registered nurse prescriber indicates an RN is qualified to prescribe Schedule 2, 3 4 and 8 medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner. However, it does not mean RNs can immediately prescribe in their workplaces. This is contingent on amendments to Victoria’s drugs and poisons regulations (estimated to occur around October 2026) and the model being implemented in your health service.
Further updates will be provided as work progresses.
Background
In Victoria a range of health professionals can prescribe medicines. This includes:
- doctors
- dentists
- optometrists
- nurse practitioners
- podiatry prescribers
- endorsed midwives.
Health Ministers approved designated RN prescribing in December 2024. It will enable registered nurses to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner (e.g. medical practitioner or nurse practitioner). It will also help improve access to medicines for Victorians, especially those in rural and remote areas. Implementation in Victoria is underway.
Understanding the roles
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have completed a Master's level education. Nurse Practitioners can diagnose, treat and prescribe medicines within their scope of practice.
Rural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurse (RIPRN)
A RIPRN can supply and administer medicines from Schedules 2, 3, 4 and 8 independently in accordance with the Primary Clinical Care Manual (Queensland Health) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) 2016.
RIPRNs cannot prescribe medicines for patients to take home. RIPRNs work in rural and regional Urgent Care Centres, bush nursing hospitals and bush nursing centres. RIPRNs undertake study at a post-graduate certificate level.
Designated Registered Nurse prescriber
A designated RN prescriber will be able to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner.
Designated RN prescribers must successfully complete postgraduate study that leads to the endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber.
More information
RNs interested in becoming designated RN prescribers should see the following resources published by Ahpra:
- Fact sheet: Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber
- Guidelines for registered nurses applying for and with the endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber
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