Becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia is an exciting and rewarding journey, and a critical step along the way is the Intern Pharmacist Oral Exam. This exam evaluates your practical skills, clinical knowledge, and decision-making abilities to ensure you are ready to provide safe and effective pharmacy care.
Understanding the step-by-step process, from registration to receiving results, is key to managing your preparation effectively and avoiding unnecessary stress.
This blog provides a detailed roadmap for interns preparing for the 2026 examination cycle.
Understanding the Registration Examination
The pharmacy registration examination in Australia consists of two components: the written examination and the oral (practice) examination. Both must be successfully completed within 18 months.
- Scenario 1: If you pass the written examination but are unsuccessful in the oral exam, you must pass the oral exam within 18 months of passing the written exam.
- Scenario 2: If you pass the oral exam but fail the written, you must pass the written exam within 18 months of passing the oral.
This 18-month window is designed to ensure that your knowledge and practical skills remain current and relevant. Failing to complete both exams within this timeframe may require restarting the process, which can significantly delay registration. Therefore, careful planning and timely preparation are essential.
The Oral Examination
The oral examination, also known as the practice examination, evaluates your ability to perform pharmacy practice in real-world scenarios.
Application Process
To sit the oral examination, interns must submit the Application for a Pharmacy Intern to be a Candidate for an Oral Examination (APOE-60). This form must be submitted by the published closing date for each examination period. Applications can be submitted via:
- Paper form: Downloadable from the AHPRA website.
- Online file upload portal: Recommended to avoid postal delays.
It is important to submit your application well before the closing date, as late applications are not accepted.
Locations and Schedule
The oral examination is delivered across all Australian states and territories. Standard exam locations include:
- ACT: Canberra
- NSW: Sydney
- NT: Darwin
- QLD: Brisbane
- SA: Adelaide
- TAS: Hobart
- VIC: Melbourne
- WA: Perth
The oral exam is usually face-to-face, but under exceptional circumstances, it may be conducted online. Such circumstances include:
- Limited examiner availability
- Candidates residing in remote or rural areas
- Out-of-session exams for return-to-practice or limited registration candidates
- Small candidate numbers in certain jurisdictions
Candidates requiring an online examination due to special circumstances must email the examinations team at the time of application.
2026 Oral Examination Schedule
For 2026, the oral examination periods and application windows are as follows:
| Examination Period | Applications Open | Applications Close |
| 2–27 Feb 2026 | 16 Nov 2025 | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 1–26 Jun 2026 | 2 Mar 2026 | 3 Apr 2026 |
| 5–30 Oct 2026 | 29 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
After applications close, candidates are randomly allocated a date and time within the exam period. Two weeks before the exam period begins, candidates will receive a confirmation email with their assigned date, time, and location. It is vital to keep your contact details up-to-date with AHPRA to avoid missing this information.
Preparing for the Oral Examination
Proper preparation is critical for success in the oral exam. Unlike the written exam, the oral test assesses practical, clinical, and communication skills, so study strategies must extend beyond memorization. Here are some tips:
1. Review Core Clinical Knowledge
Focus on clinical scenarios frequently encountered in community and hospital pharmacy practice, including:
- Drug interactions
- Dose calculations
- Patient counselling techniques
- Chronic disease management
- Over-the-counter advice
2. Practice Simulated Consultations
Engage in mock patient consultations with peers, mentors, or supervisors. Practicing how to communicate clearly, assess patient needs, and recommend treatments will boost confidence and performance during the actual exam.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Understanding the legal and ethical frameworks governing pharmacy practice in Australia is essential. Topics to review include:
- Prescription handling and record-keeping
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Regulatory requirements for dispensing medications
4. Time Management
During the exam, you may face multiple case scenarios within a limited time. Practice efficiently assessing situations and providing solutions while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
5. Use Official Resources
Download and review the Pharmacy Oral Examination (Practice) Candidate Guide. It includes detailed instructions, sample scenarios, and assessment criteria. Familiarity with the guide ensures you know what to expect and reduces anxiety.
Examination Day
On the day of your oral exam, preparation extends beyond study. Consider these practical tips:
- Arrive early to the exam center to avoid stress.
- Bring required identification and documentation.
- Dress professionally to reflect your role as a healthcare provider.
- Stay calm and focused—interviewers are assessing your approach, communication, and clinical reasoning, not just the answers.
If you are sitting the exam online due to special circumstances, ensure your technology setup is reliable, and you are in a quiet, distraction-free environment.
Receiving Results
After completing the oral examination, results are communicated via email from Ahpra. Successful completion, together with the written exam, allows you to proceed toward full pharmacist registration.
If you are unsuccessful in one component, you must retake the exam within 18 months. Ahpra provides clear guidance for resitting exams, ensuring interns have multiple opportunities to achieve registration.
Final Thoughts
The Intern Pharmacist Oral Exam is more than just a test, it’s a critical step toward becoming a confident and competent pharmacist in Australia. Careful planning, consistent preparation, and understanding the entire process will set you up for success.
If you’re looking for structured guidance, practice resources, and expert tips to tackle both the written and oral exams with confidence, our Australian Pharmacy Intern Written & Oral Exam Preparation Course is designed just for you. From mock consultations to exam strategies, we provide everything you need to succeed.