Australia is well known among students who want to have a career in pharmacy. If you're considering pursuing a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) in Australia, you might be wondering whether you need to pass the Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course to practice as a pharmacist. The answer is no—if you complete an MPharm from Australia, you do not need to take the Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course. Instead, you will follow a different registration pathway through the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
MPharm in Australia: Eligibility and Admission Requirements
To apply for a Master of Pharmacy in Australia, students must meet the following requirements:
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
- English Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.5 (for admission), 7.0 (for registration).
- Equivalent scores in PTE or OET are also accepted.
Cost of Studying MPharm in Australia
The tuition fees for an MPharm in Australia range between 72,614 AUD – 90,767.50 AUD (approximately ₹40–50 lakhs), depending on the university and location.
Top Accredited Universities offering MPharm in Australia
| University Name | Campus Location | Duration | Program Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Darwin University | Darwin, NT | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| Griffith University | Gold Coast, QLD | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| The University of Sydney | Camperdown, NSW | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| The University of Western Australia | Crawley, WA | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| University of Canberra | Canberra, ACT | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| University of Technology Sydney | Ultimo, NSW | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
Registration Process After Completing MPharm in Australia
After earning your MPharm degree, you must complete the following steps to become a registered pharmacist in Australia:
- Internship Year: You must complete a supervised internship (typically 1 year), working under a registered pharmacist.
- Internship Written & Oral Exams: You must pass two key exams conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC):
- Intern Written Exam
- Oral Examination
- Apply for General Registration: Once you pass your exams and complete the required supervised practice hours, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
Who Needs the Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course?
The Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course is only required for overseas-trained pharmacists (those who obtained their pharmacy degree outside Australia). If you have an MPharm degree from Australia, you are exempt from taking the Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course.
Start Your MPharm Journey with Academically!
If you're looking to study MPharm in Australia or need guidance on the Australian Pharmacist Exam Preparation Course and pharmacy registration process, Academically can help! Connect with us today to get expert support on admissions, career pathways, and licensing requirements.