The PGA said every health professional should be empowered to practice to the full extent of their training, skills and experience.
The move follows similar expansions in scope for pharmacists who can treat and prescribe medications for everyday health conditions, like uncomplicated UTIs.
PGA's National President Professor Trent Twomey said the move would dramatically increase access to timely healthcare.
“Ensuring patients can access the healthcare they need, when they need it, is crucial in creating healthier communities,” Prof Twomey said.
“Nurses are highly skilled and this recognises the importance of all healthcare professionals working to the full extent of their training and experience.”
Early intervention by frontline healthcare professionals reduces later complications and takes pressure off other parts of the health system.
PGA National President Professor Trent Twomey
Recent figures show 28 percent of Australians reported waiting longer than that thought was acceptable* to see a GP.
Research reveals nine in 10 Australians back pharmacists to offer more primary health care services and high trust in nurses and pharmacists to provide health advice and treatment.
“Early intervention by frontline healthcare professionals reduces later complications and takes pressure off other parts of the health system," Prof Twomey said.
"We need to empower and trust our highly skilled primary healthcare providers."
Prof Twomey also said there was more work to do.
"We need to bring consistency across states and territories and increase public awareness that other primary healthcare providers can treat, diagnose and prescribe where appropriate," he said.
"In the long term these changes will free up GPs and hospitals to focus on the most acute and complex cases while creating healthier communities, able to access timely and convenient healthcare.”
There are more than 6,000 community pharmacies in Australia, many are open longer hours.
Most Australians live within 2.5km of a community pharmacy - and more than 300 towns a community pharmacy is the only frontline healthcare provider.
*ABS https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/healthy/access-health-services
