How to register as a pharmacist in Australia with a PharmD Degree

Are you a PharmD graduate dreaming of taking your pharmacy career global? Australia is the perfect destination for you. Known for its advanced healthcare system, high salaries, and respect for pharmacists as essential healthcare professionals, Australia offers opportunities that go beyond just dispensing medications. But before you can start working Down Under, there’s an important step you need to clear: the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam. Think of it as your gateway to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. Don’t worry if it sounds daunting; we’re here to break down everything in a simple, step-by-step way so you can navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

What is the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam?

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam is a fully computer-based test made up entirely of multiple-choice questions. It assesses the knowledge and understanding of internationally trained pharmacists in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences. Replacing the KAPS exam after its last session in November 2024, the OPRA exam is a key requirement for obtaining provisional pharmacist registration in Australia, ensuring that candidates meet the country’s professional competency standards.

Why it matters:

Passing this exam is the first step to gaining provisional registration in Australia. It ensures that overseas pharmacists have the same knowledge base as Australian-trained pharmacists and can safely provide patient care.

Eligibility Criteria for OPRA

The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) aims to make registration accessible yet standardized. To be eligible:

• You must have a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from any country
• You must have active registration as a pharmacist in your home country
• No prior work experience is required; you can take the exam immediately after graduation

Key Point: Even fresh graduates can apply. Experience is a bonus, but not mandatory. PharmD gains extra leverage for the years of academic experience they have.

Required Documents

Having your documents ready is crucial. All documents should be translated into English if they’re in another language. Required documents include:

• Degree certificate
• Official transcripts
• Birth certificate
• Valid passport
• Government-issued ID
• Passport-sized photograph
• Pharmacist registration certificate from your home country

Tip: Ensure your transcripts and degree certificates match exactly with what you submit to avoid delays.

Cost Overview

Here’s an approximate breakdown:

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Registered Pharmacist in Australia

The pathway from overseas pharmacist to a fully registered Australian pharmacist consists of multiple stages:

Step 1: Initial Skill Assessment by APC

The first step is to determine your eligibility. APC will review your:

• Degree and transcript
• Pharmacist registration
• English proficiency requirements

Once approved, you’re eligible to sit for the OPRA exam.

Step 2: Take the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam

Here’s what you need to know:

• Format: Single computer-based paper
• Number of Questions: 120 MCQs
• Duration: 2.5 hours (no breaks)
• Testing Methodology: Rasch adaptive testing the exam adjusts difficulty based on your responses
• Result Availability: Within 4 weeks

Exam Syllabus and Weightage:

• Biomedical Sciences: 20%
• Medicinal Chemistry & Biopharmaceutics: 10%
• Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: 10%
• Pharmacology & Toxicology: 15%
• Therapeutics & Patient Care: 45%

Tip: Focus on therapeutics and patient care as it carries the highest weightage.

Step 3: Meet English Language Requirements

The Pharmacy Board of Australia requires proficiency in English. Accepted tests include:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall 7.5, with no less than 7 in each component
• OET (Occupational English Test): Minimum overall score 6.5, or 7 in each section

Strong communication skills are crucial for both the internship and oral exams.

Step 4: Internship and Provisional Registration

After passing OPRA and meeting English requirements, you can apply for provisional registration.

• Begin a paid pharmacy internship in Australia
• Complete 1,575 hours (or at least 75% to sit the intern oral/written exam)
• Gain practical experience in hospital, community, or aged care settings
• Look for employers offering visa sponsorship if relocating

Benefits:

• Hands-on exposure to Australian pharmacy practices
• Learning local laws, regulations, and the PBS system
• Networking with supervising pharmacists

Step 5: Intern Oral and Written Exam

After completing the internship, you must pass the Australian Intern Written and Oral Examination.

• Purpose: Demonstrates competency to work independently
• Exam Focus: Clinical reasoning, pharmacy law, ethics, patient care, and communication
• Preparation Tip: Attend mock assessments, case-based workshops, and revision courses

Step 6: Complete Registration

Once you pass the intern exams:

• Apply for full registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
• You can now work independently as a pharmacist
• Continue with your internship employer or explore new job opportunities

Congratulations! You are now a fully licensed pharmacist in Australia.

Pharmacy Intern Written and Oral Exam

Once you’ve cleared the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam and completed your provisional registration in Australia, the next critical milestone is the Pharmacy Intern Written and Oral Exam. Passing both is mandatory to move from provisional registration to general pharmacist registration.

Eligibility Criteria

To sit for the Intern Written Exam, you must:

• Be provisionally registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (or have been registered previously).
• Have completed at least 75% of your supervised internship hours (1,575 hours total) or will have completed them by the exam date.

Important: If you register but haven’t completed the required hours, a cancellation fee applies.

To be eligible for the Oral Exam:

• You must pass the Intern Written Exam.
• A written exam pass is valid for 18 months from the date of passing.

Exam Registration, Dates, and Results

Written Exam Dates (2026):

Oral Exam Periods (2026):

Note: Exam dates are allocated randomly and may vary by location. Candidates must remain available throughout the published exam periods.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Intern Written and Oral Exam

1. Complete Required Internship Hours
   
   • Complete 1,575 supervised hours under provisional registration.
   • At least 75% must be done before sitting the Written Exam.
2. Register for the Intern Written Exam
   
   • Check APC exam schedules and registration windows.
   • Submit your application and pay the exam fee: AUD 770 (~₹44,874).
3. Sit for the Written Exam
   
   • Format: Restricted open-book, computer-based, in-person. 
   • Duration: 120 minutes plus pre/post-activities.
   • Content: Clinical knowledge, pharmacy practice, calculations, legislation, and professional judgment.
4. Receive Written Exam Results
   
   • Results are published according to the APC schedule.
   • The pass is valid for 18 months.
5. Apply for the Oral Examination
   
   • Applications open and close as per schedule.
   • Must hold a current pass in the Written Exam.
6. Allocation of Oral Exam Date & Time
   
   • Candidates are randomly assigned dates and times.
   • Information is emailed two weeks before the exam period.
7. Sit for the Oral Examination
   
   • Tests the real-world application of pharmacy knowledge.
   • Includes case-based questions, communication, and decision-making skills.
8. Receive Oral Exam Results
   
   • Results released according to APC schedule.
   • Passing both Written and Oral Exams completes your pathway for general registration.
9. Apply for General Registration
   
   • After clearing exams and completing internship hours, apply to the Pharmacy Board of Australia for full registration.

Revised Written Exam Conditions (Effective 2026)

The APC updated the exam to strengthen integrity and validity:

• Permitted Materials: Restricted open-book only
  
  • Physical copies of Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) and Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) 
• Not Permitted: Handwritten notes, loose sheets, PDFs, or digital printouts
• Question Format: 75 questions including MCQs and Fill-in-the-Blank (FIB) calculations
• Timing: 120 minutes + 20 minutes pre/post activities

Exam Competency Standards & Weightage

This ensures candidates are tested across legal, clinical, and practical competencies, preparing them for independent practice.

Test Centers

The OPRA exam can be taken at convenient centers worldwide, including 10 in India:

• Bangalore
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Hyderabad
• Jalandhar
• Ludhiana
• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Pune
• Noida 

This flexibility ensures that overseas pharmacists can attempt the exam without relocating first.

Parting Thoughts 

Becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia may seem like a long pathway, but with the right guidance, it becomes an achievable and empowering journey. The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam is your first big milestone, opening the door to provisional registration, internships, and ultimately, a rewarding pharmacy career in one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems. And if you want structured support, expert mentorship, and exam-focused preparation, our Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam Preparation Course and Intern Written & Oral Exam Preparation Course is designed exactly for you. With detailed study plans, concept clarity sessions, mock tests, and one-on-one guidance, we help you move from confusion to confidence, step by step. If you're ready to take the next leap in your pharmacy career, join us and start preparing the right way. Your Australian pharmacist journey starts now.