Australia has become one of the most popular destinations for internationally trained pharmacists, and for good reason. Competitive salaries, excellent working conditions, strong professional respect, and long-term career stability make Australia an attractive choice for pharmacy professionals worldwide.
However, before you can step behind the pharmacy counter in Australia, there’s one crucial journey you must complete: AHPRA registration.
If you’re planning to migrate or work as a pharmacist in 2026, this blog will walk you through the entire AHPRA registration pathway, including the OPRA exam, eligibility criteria, documents, costs, internship, intern exams, and final registration.
What Is AHPRA?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national regulatory authority responsible for overseeing health professionals across Australia. It works in partnership with 15 National Boards, including the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
For pharmacists, AHPRA ensures that:
- Only qualified and competent professionals practise
- National standards of education and ethics are maintained
- Patient safety and professional accountability are protected
You cannot legally work as a pharmacist in Australia without AHPRA registration.
Understanding the Australian Pharmacy Registration Pathway
Australia follows a structured, competency-based pathway for overseas pharmacists. This ensures that internationally trained pharmacists meet the same standards as Australian graduates.
The journey typically includes:
- Skills assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
- Passing the OPRA exam
- Provisional registration with AHPRA
- Supervised internship
- Intern written and oral examinations
- General registration as a pharmacist
Let’s break each step down in detail.
What Is the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam?
The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) is the entry-level exam for internationally qualified pharmacists.
It is a fully computer-based examination consisting entirely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The exam assesses whether your knowledge in pharmacy matches Australian standards, particularly in areas related to patient safety and clinical decision-making.
OPRA officially replaced the KAPS exam, with the final KAPS session conducted in November 2024. From 2025 onward including 2026 OPRA is the only recognised exam for overseas pharmacists seeking provisional registration.
Why OPRA Is So Important
Passing OPRA is not just another exam, it is the gateway to Australian pharmacy practice.
By clearing OPRA, you demonstrate that:
- Your pharmacy knowledge is equivalent to Australian-trained pharmacists
- You can apply clinical reasoning in real-life scenarios
- You understand patient-centred care, ethics, and safety standards
Without passing OPRA, you cannot proceed to provisional registration or internship.
OPRA Eligibility Criteria
The Australian Pharmacy Council has designed OPRA to be inclusive while maintaining professional standards.
You are eligible if:
- You hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from any country
- You have active pharmacist registration in your home country
- You have completed your pharmacy degree (no experience required)
Documents Required for OPRA and Skills Assessment
Proper documentation plays a critical role in avoiding delays. All documents must be in English or officially translated.
You will need:
- Pharmacy degree certificate
- Official academic transcripts
- Pharmacist registration certificate (home country)
- Valid passport
- Recent passport-size photograph
Pro Tip:
Ensure that your name, date of birth, and spelling are identical across all documents. Even small inconsistencies can significantly delay your assessment.
OPRA Cost Overview
Here’s an estimated cost breakdown to help you plan financially:
Stage | Cost (AUD) | Approx. INR |
| APC Eligibility Check | 810 | ₹48,329 |
| OPRA Exam Fee | 2,190 | ₹1,30,668 |
| Skills Assessment Outcome | 300 | ₹17,899 |
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Registered Pharmacist in Australia
Step 1: Initial Skills Assessment by APC
Your journey begins with the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). They assess:
- Your pharmacy qualification
- Academic transcripts
- Registration status
- English language compliance (where applicable)
Once approved, you become eligible to book the OPRA exam.
Step 2: Take the OPRA Exam
Exam Format
- 120 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 2.5 hours (no breaks)
- Fully computer-based
- Adaptive testing using Rasch methodology
- Results released within approximately 4 weeks
OPRA Syllabus Weightage
- Biomedical Sciences – 20%
- Medicinal Chemistry & Biopharmaceutics – 10%
- Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics – 10%
- Pharmacology & Toxicology – 15%
- Therapeutics & Patient Care – 45%
Step 3: Meet English Language Requirements
Clear communication is essential in Australian healthcare settings.
Accepted English tests include:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 7.5, with no band less than 7
- OET: Minimum B grade in each component
Meeting the English requirement is mandatory before provisional registration.
Step 4: Provisional Registration and Internship
After passing OPRA and meeting English requirements, you can apply for provisional registration with AHPRA.
This allows you to:
- Start a paid pharmacy internship in Australia
- Work under the supervision of an approved preceptor
- Complete 1,575 supervised practice hours
Step 5: Intern Written and Oral Examinations
After completing at least 75% of your internship hours, you can sit for the Intern Written Exam.
Intern Written Exam
- Restricted open-book format
- Only physical copies of these book are allowed in the exam:
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF)
- No handwritten notes, PDFs, or digital material allowed
- 75 questions (MCQs and calculation-based fill-in-the-blank)
- Duration: 120 minutes plus pre/post exam activities
Intern Oral Exam
Once you pass the Written Exam, you can apply for the Oral Exam.
The Oral Exam assesses:
- Clinical reasoning
- Ethical decision-making
- Patient communication skills
- Professional judgement in real-world scenarios
Step 6: Apply for General Registration
After you have:
- Completed all internship hours
- Passed both the Written and Oral exams
You can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Congratulations! You are now a fully registered pharmacist in Australia.
Final Thoughts
The AHPRA registration process may appear lengthy at first, but it is transparent, structured, and achievable with the right preparation. With OPRA now firmly established as the standard exam for 2026 and beyond, early planning gives you a significant advantage.
If your goal is to practise pharmacy in Australia, start preparing today. With dedication, strategy, and the right guidance, your Australian pharmacy career is well within reach. For focused, exam-oriented guidance, our OPRA exam preparation course is designed to help overseas pharmacists prepare confidently and effectively.
