A career as a pharmacist in Australia is both coveted and rewarding. Did you know that you can earn between 60,000-65,000 AUD as a pharmacy intern? That’s nearly 33 to 35 lakh rupees.
From career growth to a balanced lifestyle, you get the best of both worlds. But before you can start to practice as an independent pharmacist, you need to understand the working of the system.
For this, the Pharmacy Board of Australia requires all aspiring pharmacists to undergo an internship period. This is conducted under the supervision of an experienced pharmacist.
This blog will take you on a journey to understand more about the journey from a student to an intern and a practicing pharmacist.
Let’s dive into it.
Pharmacy Internship in Australia
A pharmacy internship is an important part of the registration process for a pharmacy graduate in Australia. Whether you’ve completed your graduation in Australia or are an overseas pharmacist, an internship is equally important.
The path to becoming an intern pharmacist can differ slightly.
- Australian Pharmacy Graduates:
- Clear degree exam
- Provisional Registration with Pharmacy Board of Australia
- Overseas Pharmacist:
- Clearing the OPRA Exam
- Provisional Registration with Pharmacy Board of Australia
If you are in the process of applying for or taking the OPRA exam, consider the OPRA Exam Preparation Course at Academically. With a team of experts behind it, and an 85 %+ success rate, it is your best friend to a successful OPRA attempt.
Requirements for an Intern Pharmacist
There are a few prerequisites for becoming an intern pharmacist
- A valid pharmacy degree
- Provisional Registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
- Approval for supervised practice- premises and supervisor
- Acceptance into the Intern Training Program
Apart from this, candidates also need to present insurance proof, English language proficiency, and a character certificate.
What is the Application Process for Training Pharmacists in Australia?
Before you can start the application process, you would need to check your eligibility for the role. Once you are deemed eligible, you can start the process.
- The first step is to get your provisional registration.
- After this, you can get admitted into the Intern Training Program.
- Once you’re in, you can select your internship practice, and apply for approval.
- After you get the approval, you can start your supervised internship.
Training Programs for Intern Pharmacists
There are several accredited internship training programs (ITPs) where intern pharmacists exam can enroll to complete their internship period. These programs are all recognized by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. We have listed a few providers of ITP here for you:
- Monash University
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Sydney
- Australasian College of Pharmacy
- University of South Australia
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
What to Expect as an Intern Pharmacist?
Intern pharmacists are required to complete a minimum of 1575 hours of supervised internship. During this time, you will learn the skills required to practice pharmacy independently.
- Dispensing medicine and understanding prescriptions
- Patient counselling and education
- Management of the pharmacy
- Record keeping and bookkeeping
- Collaboration with medical practitioners like nurses and doctors.
- Legal aspects and ethical practices
These are the main roles you’ll be performing as an intern pharmacist.
Job Market for Intern Pharmacist
There is a wide array of job roles for an intern pharmacist. With your provisional registration in hand, the next step is to ensure you have a solid resume. This should include your skills, strengths, and knowledge.
More job opportunities are available in rural areas, and with great incentives.
There are multiple online job sites, such as Workforce Australia and SEEK, that can help you navigate the job market.
One good practice is to target both the private and public sectors. Big pharmacy chains and government pharmacies often have opportunities for intern pharmacists.
The best way to get an intern job in Australia is through networking. Recommendations will take you a long way in your career, and building a network of people within your field is the best way to do it.
At Academically, you’ll not only find your peer group, but also successful pharmacists who were once where you are now. You can benefit from their experience and get recommendations and guidance.
Get in touch with our team to know more about our consultation program.
What is the Salary of an Intern Pharmacist?
One of the main lures of having a pharmacy career in Australia is the salary. And, the intern’s salary does not disappoint. Interns can earn between 60,000-65,000 AUD. That’s nearly 33 to 35 lakh rupees.
This amount varies between pharmacy chains and the location. On top of this, you will also be provided with overtime pay, paid leaves, and bonuses.
All this to say, even intern pharmacists in Australia earn salaries that are the same as the median salary.
What’s After the Internship Period?
The aim of a pharmacy internship is to become eligible for full registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
During the internship period, you will be assessed for readiness to be an independent pharmacist. Once you have completed 75% of your required internship hours, you can take your intern’s assessment test. These are divided into two parts:
- Intern Written Exam
- Oral Assessment
You would need to register for the Intern Written Exam and select your time and venue for it.
You can find more information on the Intern Written Exam on our blog: Intern Written Exam 2025: Course, Fees, Sample Questions and More.
Conclusion:
Intern pharmacists play an integral role in the Australian healthcare system. Not only are they the future of the system, but they are also active healthcare providers. This period is important in learning the working of any healthcare department. Interns don’t only observe, but also provide support to the patients and head pharmacists.
The fulfillment of the internship period is one of the crucial requirements for full registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
If you’re in the process of applying for an internship, but are confused, contact us at Academically. With expert consultation and guidance, we will make this journey easy for you.
