If you are an internationally qualified pharmacist planning to work in Australia, the KAPS exam is a term you are probably already familiar with.
The KAPS exam was the entryway for overseas pharmacists into the Australian pharmaceutical sector. However, the pathway has now evolved. It has now been re;aced by the OPRA exam.
This blog explains what happened to the KAPS exam and why OPRA was introduced. We will discuss how the new exam works, and how this change impacts your journey toward becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.
What Happened to the KAPS Exam?
For many years, the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam served as the primary gateway for overseas pharmacists seeking registration in Australia.
The exam was designed to assess the foundational pharmaceutical sciences knowledge of internationally trained pharmacists. While it successfully evaluated academic understanding, feedback over time suggested that it did not fully reflect real-world Australian pharmacy practice.
From March 2025, the Australian Pharmacy Council officially replaced the KAPS exam with a new and more practice-oriented assessment known as the OPRA Exam (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment).
If you are preparing for pharmacist registration in 2026, you will no longer sit the KAPS exam. Let us understand the OPRA exam structure and how it is different and more relevant.
Why Was OPRA Introduced?
The Australian Pharmacy Council introduced the OPRA exam to better evaluate whether an internationally qualified pharmacist is ready to practice safely and effectively in Australia.
Unlike the KAPS exam, which emphasized theoretical knowledge, OPRA focuses on:
- Clinical reasoning and judgment
- Patient-centred care
- Medication safety and management
- Ethical and professional decision-making
- Contemporary Australian pharmacy practice
This shift aligns with global healthcare standards. It ensures that overseas pharmacists are prepared for both community and clinical roles in Australia.
OPRA vs KAPS Exam: Key Differences
1. Exam Structure and Focus
The KAPS exam consisted of two papers with equal weight given to core pharmaceutical sciences:
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacology & Physiology
- Therapeutics
OPRA exam, on the other hand, has a single-paper format based on real-world clinical application.
OPRA Syllabus Weightage
| Content Area | Approx. Weight |
| Therapeutics & Patient Care | 45% |
| Biomedical Sciences | 20% |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 15% |
| Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics | 10% |
| Medicinal Chemistry & Biopharmaceutics | 10% |
Assessment Model: Rasch Method Explained
One of the most important changes from the KAPS exam to OPRA is the adoption of the Rasch model of assessment.
This psychometric model evaluates a candidate’s true ability rather than simply counting correct answers. It ensures:
- Fair and consistent scoring
- Evidence-based standards
- Reduced bias across exam sittings
OPRA results are reported only as Pass or Fail, not as percentages or marks. The exam contains 120 questions, of which around 90% are scored. The remaining questions are unscored and used for quality assurance.
OPRA vs KAPS: Exam Duration and Format
| Feature | OPRA Exam | KAPS Exam |
| Total Duration | 2.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Number of Papers | 1 | 2 |
| Total Questions | 120 | 200 |
The shorter duration and single-paper format reduce stress and exhaustion. It allows candidates to focus on quality decision-making rather than speed alone.
OPRA Exam Fees and Costs
The introduction of OPRA has also slightly reduced overall costs compared to the KAPS exam.
| Exam Step | Fee (AUD) | Approx Fee (INR) |
| APC Eligibility Check | AUD 810 | ₹47,790 |
| OPRA Exam Fee | AUD 2,245 | ₹1,32,455 |
| Skills Assessment Outcome Fee | AUD 300 | ₹17,700 |
| AHPRA Provisional Registration | $160–240+ depending on the year | ₹9500- 14,160 |
| English Proficiency Test | OET ($587), IELTS/PTE similar ranges | ₹34,800 |
| Migration & PR fees | $4,000–5,000+ | ₹3 Lakhs+ |
| Optional agent fees | Not fixed | Not fixed |
Compared to the KAPS exam fee of approximately AUD 2,290, OPRA offers a slightly more affordable and streamlined pathway.
OPRA Exam Dates 2026
The APC conducts OPRA multiple times a year. For 2026, the schedule is:
| Registration Period | Exam Dates | Results |
| Jan – Feb 2026 | 23–25 March | April 2026 |
| Apr – Jun 2026 | 13–15 July | August 2026 |
| Aug – Oct 2026 | 23–25 November | December 2026 |
How to Prepare After the KAPS Exam Transition
The preparation for KAPS and OPRA have some similarities, but the main points for OPRA preparation are:
- Focus on therapeutics and patient care scenarios
- Use APC-recommended textbooks and guidelines
- Practice case-based MCQs and clinical reasoning questions
- Take mock tests regularly
- Start early and follow a structured study plan
- Balance preparation with regular breaks
Online OPRA coaching programs and mock exams can significantly improve confidence and exam readiness.
Why OPRA Is a Better Pathway Than KAPS
Replacing the KAPS exam with OPRA offers clear advantages:
- Focus on real-world pharmacy practice
- Better preparation for Australian healthcare settings
- Improved alignment with AHPRA expectations
- Essential step toward permanent residency (PR)
- Supports long-term career growth
According to government workforce data, Australia continues to experience strong demand for pharmacists. Thousands of new roles are projected annually. This is an excellent time to begin your journey.
Final Thoughts
The KAPS exam has long been the gateway for overseas pharmacists into Australia. The shift from KAPS to OPRA reflects the growing need for pharmacists who have an understanding of what it is like to actually work in Australia.
The OPRA exam has also reduced the exam load and memorization patterns. Now, if you have a more clinical and practical approach, it is easier to clear the exam.
The 2026 OPRA exam schedule has been released. Now is the time to start your Australian journey.
