OPRA Registration Dates 2027: Testing Centres, Fees and Registration Process

If you are an internationally qualified pharmacist planning to practise in Australia, the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) is an important step in the Australian pharmacist registration pathway. Knowing the OPRA registration dates, exam schedule, fees and available testing centres can help you avoid missing a registration deadline or travelling unnecessarily for your exam. In this blog, you will find the OPRA exam dates for 2026 and 2027, registration process, testing centres, exam fee, rescheduling and cancellation rules. Keep reading.

OPRA Exam Dates 2027  

The 2027 schedule supplied for this update includes three OPRA sittings:

Note: The 2027 results dates should remain marked TBC until the council confirms them. Candidates should also verify the registration and exam dates on APC's official website before making travel or preparation commitments.

What Is the OPRA Exam?  

The OPRA exam which is known as Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment is a computer-based assessment for pharmacists who qualified outside Australia and are following the APC Knowledge Stream pathway. The exam assesses knowledge and understanding of the biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences underlying pharmacy practice.

The current OPRA exam format is:

• 120 multiple-choice questions
• 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
• Computer-based
• Closed book
• One correct answer for each question

Note: The 120 questions have one correct answer and three incorrect options.

OPRA Exam Fees 2027

The current OPRA exam fee is AUD $2,245 (approximately US$1,594 / ₹1.52 lakh) per attempt. This is the examination fee only. Other APC assessment costs may apply depending on your pathway. For the Australian Knowledge Stream pathway, APC currently lists:

• Eligibility Check: AUD $810 (approximately US$575 / ₹54,918)
• OPRA exam registration: AUD $2,245 (approximately US$1,594 / ₹1.52 lakh)
• Skills Assessment Outcome: AUD $300 (approximately US$213 / ₹20,340)

Total of these three APC fees: AUD $3,355 (approximately US$2,382 / ₹2.27 lakh).

Currency note: USD and INR amounts are approximate conversions based on August 2026 exchange rates. Actual amounts charged may vary depending on exchange-rate fluctuations, card/bank conversion rates and applicable fees.

Candidates should therefore budget for the complete assessment pathway rather than considering the OPRA examination fee in isolation.

Who Can Register for the OPRA Exam?  

Before registering for OPRA, you must complete the required eligibility process. For the Knowledge Stream, you must:

1. Complete your Initial Skills Assessment.
2. Receive confirmation from APC that you are eligible to sit the OPRA exam.
3. Register for an available exam sitting through the Candidate Portal.
4. Select an available test centre.
5. Pay the examination fee.

Experts recommends lodging your eligibility application at least eight weeks before the registration closing date.

How to Register for the OPRA Exam  

Step 1: Complete Your Initial Skills Assessment

Start by applying for an initial skills assessment which in simple words is, eligibility check or documentation. You will need to submit the required educational and supporting documentation through the APC Candidate Portal.

APC aims to process eligibility applications within five working days after receiving all required documentation, although candidates should allow additional time if further information is required.

Step 2: Wait for Your Eligibility Confirmation  

You cannot simply register for OPRA because you have a pharmacy degree. You must first receive confirmation from APC that you are eligible to sit the examination.

Step 3: Register During the Open Registration Window  

When registration opens, access the Candidate Portal and complete your OPRA registration. Registration opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm AEDT/AEST. Because these times are based on Australian Eastern Time, check the corresponding time in your country before registration opens.

Step 4: Select Your Test Centre  

Choose an available Pearson VUE test centre during registration. Do not wait until the final days of registration if you have a preferred city. Some locations can fill quickly and recommends registering as soon as the registration period opens.

Step 5: Pay the Exam Fee  

The OPRA exam fee is AUD $2,245 per attempt. Payment must be made during registration. If payment is not received, your seat will be released. APC currently accepts Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards, as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay at checkout.

OPRA Test Centres Around the World  

Let's take a look at the locations across multiple countries to sit for the OPRA exam. Centre availability can change between exam sessions.

Note: Always check the APC Candidate Portal for your specific sitting. APC states that seat availability varies by centre, some centres can reach capacity, and venues may change at short notice.

OPRA Test Centres in India  

India currently has several OPRA testing locations:

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

This is an important update for candidates compared with older OPRA centre lists, which included only Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Noida. The additional Indian locations identified in the supplied update are Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Pune.

Important Updates to OPRA Test Centre Lists  

There are some major places that have been added by the council for overseas pharmacists to appear for OPRA exam 2027 onwards. Let's have a look.

India  

Additional locations: Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Pune.

New Zealand  

Earlier you could take the exam in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The current update states Auckland and Wellington to be the OPRA test centres.

Taiwan  

Kaohsiung as an additional location alongside Taipei City.

Sri Lanka  

You can appear in Colombo or Western Province for the exam.

Vietnam  

Ho Chi Minh is now included as an OPRA testing location.

Australia  

You can also appear in Townsville, while Alice Springs is not an OPRA test centre anymore..

Test-centre availability can change between sessions. Candidates should treat this list as a planning guide rather than a guarantee that every centre will have a seat for every exam sitting.

Can I Change My OPRA Test Centre After Booking?  

Yes, but availability matters. You will be able to reschedule through the APC Candidate Portal during the registration period. If your preferred centre becomes available because another candidate cancels, you may be able to move your appointment. For this reason, checking the portal regularly can be useful if your preferred city is initially full.

Can I Reschedule the OPRA Exam?  

Yes. You can reschedule your OPRA examination through the Candidate Portal. You can reschedule to another date and time during the current registration period. If you are considering changing your appointment, check the applicable registration window before making the change.

Can I Cancel My OPRA Exam?  

Yes. You can cancel your examination and request a refund, but the refund is subject to APC's approval and cancellation fees. An approved OPRA cancellation can result in an 80% refund of the examination fee, depending on the timing and applicable refund rules.

What Happens If I Do Not Pass OPRA?  

If you are unsuccessful, you can register for another OPRA sitting when the next registration period opens. You must register again and pay the full examination fee for the new attempt. APC's Australian OPRA pathway currently states that candidates may re-sit the examination as many times as needed.

How Should You Prepare for OPRA?  

OPRA is a 120-question, 150-minute examination, so preparation should involve more than simply reading textbooks. A practical preparation strategy should include:

• Understanding the OPRA exam blueprint and content areas.
• Studying from current, evidence-based resources.
• Practising application-based questions.
• Reviewing weak areas systematically.
• Taking timed mock examinations.
• Analysing mistakes rather than simply checking scores.
• Building speed and accuracy before the actual examination.

Academically has faculty members whoa re KAPS/OPRA qualified with an active registration with AHPRA. This makes sure that you are fully prepared for the exam thinking like an Australian pharmacist. You can also get hugely benefitted from live sessions, community support, recalls and most importantly, India's first AI-backed mock tests that simulate the real exam day.

OPRA Exam Day: What Should You Know?  

The examination itself lasts 150 minutes. Before the exam, candidates have:

• 5 minutes to read and agree to the non-disclosure agreement.
• 10 minutes for a tutorial on the examination software.
• 150 minutes for the 120 exam questions.
• 5 minutes at the end for an exam survey.

The additional activities do not count toward the 150-minute examination time. There is no scheduled break during the OPRA exam. If you need an unscheduled break, the examination clock continues running.

OPRA Registration Dates: What Candidates Should Remember  

If you are planning your OPRA attempt, do not focus only on the exam date. You should work backwards from your preferred exam sitting:

Initial Skills Assessment → Eligibility Confirmation → Registration Window → Test Centre Booking → Preparation → OPRA Exam → Results

Applying for your eligibility check early is particularly important because APC recommends lodging the application at least eight weeks before registration closes. Also remember that test-centre seats are not guaranteed simply because a city appears on the list.