One question almost every pharmacy student asks before choosing Australia is simple but crucial:
“If I study M.Pharm in Australia, will I still have to clear the OPRA exam?”
The answer can change your entire study plan, and fortunately, it’s good news.
If you complete your Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) from an Australian-accredited university, you do not need to appear for the OPRA exam. Instead, you follow a direct and structured registration pathway within Australia.
Let’s understand how this works and why studying in Australia makes such a big difference.
What Makes Australia an Attractive Choice for M.Pharm?
Australia doesn’t just offer a degree; it offers a clear professional outcome.
Students choose Australia because the M.Pharm program combines:
- Clinical training aligned with Australian healthcare
- Early exposure to real pharmacy practice
- A defined pathway to pharmacist registration
- Degrees that are respected worldwide
This means you’re not just studying, you’re preparing to work as a pharmacist in Australia from day one.
Admission Requirements for M.Pharm in Australia
While requirements vary slightly by university, most M.Pharm programs expect:
- A Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or PharmD
- Proof of English proficiency
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, or
- Accepted equivalents like PTE or OET
- Academic transcripts and supporting documents
- Statement of purpose
Early preparation helps secure seats at top universities.
Accredited Universities Offering M.Pharm in Australia
Australia has several well-known universities offering APC-accredited M.Pharm programs, including:
- Charles Darwin University
- Griffith University
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- University of Canberra
- University of Technology Sydney
All programs are typically 2 years long and designed to meet Australian registration standards.
What Happens After You Finish Your M.Pharm?
Graduation is just the beginning.
After completing your M.Pharm, you’ll move into a supervised internship, usually lasting one year. This phase allows you to gain hands-on experience and apply your academic knowledge in real clinical settings.
At the end of the internship, you need to pass the intern written and oral examinations, which assess your clinical competence, communication skills, and readiness for independent pharmacy practice.
Once you successfully clear these exams and meet all required competencies, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through AHPRA.
Your Final Step: Registration and Practice
Once you successfully complete your internship, you need to pass the intern written and oral examinations, which assess your clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and readiness to practise independently.
After clearing these exams, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) through AHPRA. Upon approval, you are officially recognised as a registered pharmacist and can begin practising anywhere in Australia.
Why Is OPRA Required for Some Pharmacists but Not Others?
The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment) exam exists mainly for pharmacists trained outside Australia. Its purpose is to ensure overseas graduates meet Australian clinical, ethical, and professional standards.
However, students who study pharmacy in Australia are already trained under these standards. That’s why Australian-trained M.Pharm graduates are exempt from OPRA.
In short:
- Overseas pharmacy degree → OPRA required
- Australian-accredited M.Pharm → OPRA not required
Is an Australian M.Pharm Worth It?
If your goal is to build a pharmacy career in Australia without the stress of additional licensing exams like OPRA, pursuing an Australian-accredited M.Pharm is a smart and strategic choice. It offers a clear pathway from education to employment, strong clinical exposure, and a qualification that is respected globally.
With structured training, a supervised internship, and a straightforward registration process, an Australian M.Pharm allows you to focus on what truly matters is becoming a confident, competent pharmacist ready to make a difference in healthcare.