Finding it hard to choose between Australian Pharmacist Exam and PEBC for establishing your pharmacy career overseas? The Australian Pharmacist Exam and PEBC are not just two exams; they are pathways to registration in two of the best countries in the world. Therefore, when you try to compare the two, you must also draw a comparison between Australia and Canada. In this article, we’ll help you decide what pathway is the best for you and which of the two should you choose for your career advancement goals.
Australian Pharmacist Exam
As you might be aware, the Australian Pharmacist Exam is the licensure examination, which is also pharmacists’ key to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. This single exam is an essential part of the licensure process for pharmacy registration with the Australian Physiotherapy Council. The exam is called Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA). Overall, if you are a pharmacist and want to establish your career in Australia, clearing the OPRA is a must.
Who Conducts the Australian Pharmacist Exam?
The Australian Pharmacist Exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, which is also the body responsible for offering registrations to Australian and global pharmacists. The exam is a part of the licensure process, which also includes English proficiency and Skills Assessment to ensure only the most qualified and highly skilled candidates get a place in the Australian healthcare system.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Australian Pharmacist Exam aka OPRA, you must have:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, including provisional degrees.
- BPharm/PharmD transcripts or consolidated mark sheets.
- Active registration with the state pharmacy council in your home country as a practising pharmacist.
Exam Centres
The Australian Pharmacist Exam or the OPRA is quite flexible- you can take it in your home country! Let’s now talk about the Indian cities in which you can take the Australian Pharmacist Exam.
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Ludhiana
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
- Noida
The Australian Pharmacist Exam Process
These are the steps involved in taking the Australian Pharmacist Exam and becoming a pharmacist in Australia
- Step 1: Initial Skills Assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council
- Step 2: Australian Pharmacist Exam (OPRA)
- Step 3: English Proficiency Test
- Step 4: Internship and Provisional Registration:
- Step 5: Intern Oral and Written Exam
- Step 6: Complete Registration
Exam Pattern
Talking about the examination, we must also consider its pattern. The Australian Pharmacist Exam or OPRA is a single-paper test that comes with 120 questions. Candidates get 2.5 hours to complete the paper. The Australian Pharmacist Exam utilises Rasch testing methodology, which means that there are no set passing marks and no such thing as negative markings. It is an adaptive testing method that analyses your performance based on your answers and gives results as Pass/Fail.
| Aspect | Details |
| Format | Computer-based, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
| Number of Papers | One single paper |
| Number of Questions | 120 |
| Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Cost | AUD 2190 |
| Test centres | Multiple test centres worldwide |
| Testing Methodology | Rasch methodology |
| Result Availability | Within 4 weeks post-exam |
Do you want to become a pharmacist in Australia? Then, enrol in Academically’s OPRA Preparation Course and pass the exam on the first attempt.
PEBC Exam
Let’s now talk about another very famous pharmacy exam- the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada examination. Canada is often considered a lucrative destination for global immigrants, and it has great work prospects for pharmacists as well. The PEBC exam is a pharmacist’s gateway to get registered and avail of a pharmacy job in Canada.
Who Conducts PEBC?
As the name suggests, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada conducts the PEBC exam. This exam is a part of their process to ensure global pharmacy graduates meet the eligibility and competence criteria required to enter the Canadian workforce. PEBC is responsible for ensuring that the top talent is enrolled to maintain the quality and standards of the pharmacy profession in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
To become a registered pharmacist in Canada, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, including provisional degrees. .
- BPharm/PharmD transcripts or consolidated mark sheets.
- Active registration with the state pharmacy council in your home country as a practising pharmacist.
Exam Centres
The PEBC exam can be taken in India at the following locations:
- Ahmedabad
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Gurgaon
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
Other PEBC exam centres around the world can be found here.
The PEBC Process
The steps to becoming a registered pharmacist in Canada include:
- Document evaluation
- Pharmacist Evaluating Examination (PEE)
- PEE Part 1: MCQ
- PEE Part 2: OSCE
- Pharmacists Qualifying Examination
- Qualifying Examination Part 1: MCQ
- Qualifying Examination Part 2: OSCE
Exam Pattern
The PEBC exam is a single-day computer-based examination that pharmacy candidates need to clear within a timeframe of 4.25 hours. There are a total of 200 questions, and candidates need 60% marks to pass the exam.
Is Canada your dream country? Then you should take Academially’s PEBC Preparation Course! The course consists of live and recorded lectures, study materials, question banks, AI-based mock tests, personalised guidance and so much more.
Difficulty Level: Which Exam Is Tougher?
This is where the Australian Pharmacist Exam VS PEBC comparison becomes very personal.
- OPRA Exam:
- Focuses on core pharmacy subjects
- Questions are clinical but straightforward
- Less exam fatigue compared to PEBC
- PEBC Exams:
- Heavy emphasis on detailed theory
- OSCE requires strong communication + clinical judgment
- Multiple attempts are common
Many global pharmacists find OPRA more achievable.
Job Opportunities & Lifestyle After Registration
| Factor | Australia | Canada |
| Demand for Pharmacists | Strong demand across community, hospital, and regional settings | Urban markets largely saturated |
| Internship / Training | Paid internship as part of registration | Longer wait before full licensure |
| Work-Life Balance | Generally good work-life balance | Can be challenging, especially in cities |
| Migration Benefits | Strong regional migration incentives | Limited migration advantages post-licensure |
| Licensing Structure | National registration system | Provincial licensing complexity |
| Cost of Living | Moderate and manageable in many regions | High living costs in major cities |
| Permanent Residency | Faster and clearer PR pathways | PR process can be slower and more competitive |
In Summary
| Australian Pharmacist Exam | PEBC | |
| Country | Australia | Canada |
| Exam Pattern | Single Exam; 120 Questions; 2.5 Hours | Two evaluating exams and two qualifying exams |
| Fees/Cost | AUD 2,190 | CAD 825 + 1,855== CAD 2,680 |
| Process | Initial Skills Assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course English Proficiency Test | Document evaluation Pharmacist Evaluating Examination (PEE)PEE Part 1: MCQ PEE Part 2: OSCE Pharmacists Qualifying ExaminationQualifying Examination Part 1: MCQ Qualifying Examination Part 2: OSCE |
| Exam Centre | Bangalore Chandigarh Chennai Hyderabad Jalandhar Ludhiana Mumbai New Delhi Pune Noida | Ahmedabad Bangalore Chennai Gurgaon Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai |
When it comes to exam pattern and structure, the Australian Pharmacist Exam surely takes the lead. With an easy registration process, the Australian Pharmacy Council makes it streamlined for global pharmacists to register in Australia. However, whether you choose Australia or Canada as your final destination, Academically is here to support you with its exclusive online preparation courses.
For more information about our offerings, book a FREE counselling session with our experts today! With Academically, you can begin and complete your overseas registration journey easily!