Key messages
- The Department of Health fully subsidises the cost of training for medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and pharmacists who wish to provide opioid dependence treatment.
- All medical practitioners (and nurse practitioners with a notation for a category in which the prescribing of buprenorphine and naloxone is authorised) may prescribe buprenorphine and naloxone for up to 10 patients without the need to attend the Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) training.
- For medical and nurse practitioners who want to increase buprenorphine and naloxone patient numbers or prescribe methadone, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) offers MATOD training consisting of 8 online modules.
- It is highly recommended that pharmacists undertake the subsidised training delivered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Training is available for prescribers and dispensers participating in the opioid pharmacotherapy program. Participants who complete the online MATOD training can earn up to 11.5 hours of Continuing Professional Development points.
Training for prescribers
MATOD training is available for pharmacotherapy prescribers, delivered by RACGP. The training consists of 8 online modules.
All medical practitioners (and nurse practitioners with a notation for a category in which the prescribing of buprenorphine and naloxone is authorised) may prescribe buprenorphine and naloxone to up to 10 patients without completing the MATOD training.
A brief guide to prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone is a step-by-step guide to prescribing buprenorphine or naloxone for practitioners who fall in this category. A brief is also available to guide prescribers who fall in this category to assist with safely prescribing buprenorphine and naloxone.
Completing the MATOD training is essential for medical and nurse practitioners who want to increase buprenorphine and naloxone patient numbers or prescribe methadone.
Register for the MATOD training on the website.
Training for pharmacists and pharmacist staff
Two training modules are available for pharmacists and pharmacy staff working in pharmacotherapy dispensing pharmacies. This training is delivered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Module 1
Module 1 is a a self-directed learning module, delivered either online or face-to-face. It covers all basic requirements of harm minimisation and opioid dependence treatment. It takes about two hours to complete. Participants can do the training anytime, anywhere and at their own pace via a web browser.
Module 2
Module 2 is a three-hour workshop, delivered by a facilitator as an online webinar or face-to-face in a small group. Concepts learnt in Module 1 are reiterated, and the workshop provides practical tips and guidance for participants to apply the knowledge in their own workplace. Module 2 is also a motivational session to encourage pharmacies to provide the opioid dependence treatment services.
Participants can choose to attend a one-day face-to-face seminar covering both modules, facilitated by a pharmacist experienced in harm minimisation.
Find out more and enrol for the training on the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia .
Reviewed 22 January 2025