How to Become a Pharmacist in Australia: Eligibility & Exams

Working as a pharmacist in Australia comes with strong career prospects and a supportive healthcare system. For internationally trained pharmacists, the journey involves a few key exams and registration steps. While the journey may seem long at first, it becomes much more manageable once you understand each step. This blog breaks down eligibility requirements, exams, and registration stages, helping you navigate the process with confidence.

Understanding the Australian Pharmacist Registration Pathway

For overseas-qualified pharmacists, the pathway to registration in Australia generally follows these steps:

• Eligibility assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

• Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam

• English language proficiency

• Provisional registration

• Supervised internship (1,575 hours)

• APC Intern Written Examination

• APC Intern Oral Examination

• General registration as a pharmacist

Each stage is designed to ensure you are clinically competent, legally compliant, and ready for real-world pharmacy practice in Australia.

The OPRA Exam: Your First Major RequirementWhat is the OPRA Exam?

The OPRA exam is the starting point for internationally qualified pharmacists. Conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, this computer-based exam assesses whether your academic knowledge and clinical understanding align with Australian pharmacy standards.

Passing the OPRA exam is mandatory for obtaining provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

OPRA Exam Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for the OPRA exam if you:

• Hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree

• Have active registration with the pharmacy council or regulatory authority in your home country

The eligibility criteria are straightforward, making the process accessible to qualified pharmacists worldwide.

Documents Required for OPRA Registration

Before registering, ensure that all documents are in English or officially translated. Academic transcripts are essential and cannot be skipped.

Required documents include:

• Pharmacy degree certificate

• Academic transcripts

• Birth certificate

• Valid passport

• Government-issued ID

• Passport-size photograph

• Pharmacist registration certificate

OPRA Exam Registration and Format

Once your eligibility is approved by the APC, you can register for the OPRA exam. The exam is conducted three times a year and can be taken at authorized test centers in your home country.

Exam structure includes:

• 120 multiple-choice questions

• Single-paper format

• 2.5 hours duration

• No negative marking

The exam places strong emphasis on clinical application rather than rote learning.

OPRA Exam Syllabus Overview

The OPRA exam covers a broad range of subjects, with a strong focus on patient care:

• Biomedical sciences – 20%

• Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics – 10%

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics – 10%

• Pharmacology and toxicology – 15%

• Therapeutics and patient care – 45%

Therapeutics carries the highest weightage, highlighting the importance of clinical decision-making.

According to experts at Academically, mastering the OPRA exam requires structured preparation focused on clinical reasoning, therapeutics, and Australian pharmacy practice standards.

English Language Proficiency

After passing OPRA, candidates must meet the English language requirements set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Accepted tests include IELTS, OET, and PTE. Meeting the required scores is essential before progressing to provisional registration.

Provisional Registration and Internship

Once OPRA and English requirements are met, candidates receive provisional registration, allowing them to begin a paid pharmacy internship in Australia.

Important points to note:

• Total internship requirement: 1,575 supervised practice hours

• Candidates must secure their own internship positions

• Visa sponsorship depends on the employer

This stage provides hands-on experience within the Australian healthcare environment.

APC Intern Pharmacy Examinations

Clearing OPRA is a significant achievement, but it’s not the final step. To become fully registered, you must pass the APC Intern Written and Oral Pharmacist Examinations. These assessments confirm that you are ready to practice independently and safely.

The exams assess:

• Clinical reasoning and decision-making

• Australian pharmacy laws and ethics

• Medication management

• Professional communication

Passing both exams is compulsory.

Intern Written Examination

You can apply for the written exam if you:

• Are currently or were previously provisionally registered, and

• Have completed at least 75% of the required internship hours

The exam includes multiple-choice and calculation-based questions and reflects real-world pharmacy practice.

Intern Oral Examination

After passing the written exam, candidates can apply for the oral examination. The written exam pass remains valid for 18 months, during which the oral exam must be successfully completed.

The oral exam focuses on patient counselling, clinical scenarios, and ethical decision-making, and is conducted in major cities across Australia.

Final Step: General Registration as a Pharmacist

After completing all internship hours and passing both intern examinations, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Once approved, you are officially recognized as a fully registered pharmacist, eligible to work independently anywhere in Australia.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a pharmacist in Australia as an internationally trained professional is a structured but achievable journey. Each step from OPRA to internship and intern exams plays a vital role in preparing you for Australian pharmacy practice.

With the right preparation, clear planning, and commitment, you can successfully transition into a rewarding and long-term pharmacy career in Australia.