Hello, fellow pharmacists!
If Australia has been on your list for building a pharmacy career, there has never been a better time to start. With the introduction of the new OPRA exam in 2025, the registration process has become even more streamlined.
Now, the OPRA exam might scare a few. The investment is substantial, and the exam might be tough. You keep on thinking about the what-ifs.
How about we clear all your confusion regarding the OPRA exam?
So here it is. We have compiled the top 15 most asked questions regarding the OPRA exam.
Let’s get going.
Q- What is the OPRA Exam?
Ans- In very simple terms, OPRA is the exam you take if you want to register as a pharmacist in Australia. It stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, or the APC. Here are some particulars of the exam:
| Feature | Details |
| Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Format | Computer-based, closed-book |
| Exam Fee | AUD 2245 (INR 1.4 Lakhs) |
| Syllabus | Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Therapeutics and Patient Care, Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics, Pharmacology and toxicology |
| Pass Marks | Variable, based on Rasch Methodology |
Once you pass the OPRA exam, you get your provisional license. With this, you can practice under supervision in Australia.
Hope this clears up any confusion you may have.
Q- Who is eligible for the OPRA exam in Australia?
Ans- The eligibility criteria for the OPRA exam are very straightforward. There are two criteria you need to fulfil:
- You should have a B.Pharm or PharmD degree. Your degree needs to be a 4-year degree if you have completed it after 1st January 2006. It can be a 3-year degree if you have completed it before that date.
- Your pharmacy qualification should not be from:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom (UK), OR
- United States of America (USA).
And that's that. You don’t need proof of registration in the home country to take OPRA anymore.
Q- Can I take the OPRA Exam from India?
Ans- Absolutely. The OPRA exam is conducted at Pearson VUE exam centres all around the world. When you are registering for the exam, you can select the centre closest to you. Keep in mind that the most popular centres fill out quickly. So, it is better to start your application process early on.
Here is a list of all the OPRA exam centres in India. See if you can find the best one for you here.
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Ludhiana
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
- Noida
Q- Is the OPRA Exam easy?
Ans- The OPRA exam is practice-based. This means the questions are based in real-life scenarios. If you compare OPRA to the previous KAPS exam, it is easier. The exam has a good pass rate of nearly 80%. So, with proper preparation, you can definitely clear the exam. Start your preparation 4-6 months before the exam. This will give you enough time to prepare.
So while the OPRA exam is not exactly easy, it is easier than other exams like PEBC, PSI and even the GPAT, if you look at the pass rate.
Q- What is the pass marks for the OPRA exam?
Ans- The OPRA exam has no fixed percentage or “cut-off” like 50% or 60%. Instead:
- You’re assessed as successful or unsuccessful based on whether your overall performance meets the required competency standard.
- Your result report won’t show your raw score.
- You will, however, receive feedback for each content area, so you can see where you did well and where you need improvement.
Your final result depends on your overall performance, not individual section scores.
Q- How many attempts are allowed for the OPRA exam?
Ans- There is no limit to the number of attempts for the OPRA exam. Now, that’s some good news, isn’t it? Just remember, you need a new application, pay the application fee and have to go through the entire application process again if you want to retake the exam. So, it is better to look at your mistakes and prepare well in advance before you retake the exam. It will save you time and money.
Q- How to study for the OPRA exam?
Ans- OPRA exam preparation needs both self-study and guided preparation. Although some candidates do clear the exam only with self-study, it is recommended that you join an OPRA preparation course. You get a more structured preparation and also get access to the preparation material. A few important tips to remember are:
- Start OPRA exam preparation 4-6 months before the exam.
- Use only approved books and guides like:
- Pharmaceutical Calculations by Howard C. Ansel
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by Roger Walker and Cate Whittlesea
- Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics by Laurence Brunton.
- Do daily practice with MCQs.
- Take weekly AI- backed mock tests to see where you need improvement.
- Make weekly and monthly goals that are doable.
Q- What is next after the OPRA exam?
Ans- After you pass the OPRA exam, you can apply for the Skill Assessment Outcome from the APC. With this, you can:
- Apply for a visa through the Department of Home Affairs
- Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Once you get to Australia, you can start your supervised practice. After that, it is the Intern written and oral exam and then the full registration.
Q- Does Australia accept Indian B.Pharm degrees?
Ans- Short answer, yes. The Indian B.Pharm degree is recognised in Australia. However, you cannot get direct registration with it. You need to take the OPRA exam and then apply for provisional registration. The reason being the B.Pharm degree does not have any clinical exposure. So you need to complete the internship period after OPRA to get fully registered in Australia.
Q- How to pass the OPRA exam?
Ans- The OPRA exam requires a strategic preparation plan to pass.
- Start 4-6 months in advance.
- Set short-term, achievable goals.
- Use only authentic and highly rated resources.
- Get enrolled in an OPRA preparation course.
- Practice with OPRA-style MCQs daily.
- Take timed, full-length mock exams every week.
- Focus on the subjects with the most weightage: Therapeutics and patient care.
- Practice pharmaceutical calculations.
Q- What is the cost of the OPRA exam?
Ans- The OPRA exam fees are:
- Eligibility Check: AU$810 (INR 48,600)
- Skills Assessment Outcome: AU$300 (INR 18,000)
- OPRA Exam Fee: AU$2245 (INR 1,35,000)
Q- What are the jobs available after the OPRA exam?
Ans- As a registered pharmacist, there are multiple job opportunities across the country on job sites like Jobslly.
| Role | Average Annual Salary (AUD) | Salary INR |
| Community Pharmacist | AUD 75k – 95k | INR 47-60 Lakhs |
| Hospital Pharmacist | AUD 80k – 110k | INR 50- 70 Lakhs |
| Consultant Pharmacist | AUD 90k – 120k | INR 57- 76 Lakhs |
| Aged Care Pharmacist | AUD 85k – 110k | INR 54- 70 Lakhs |
Q- How to register for the OPRA exam in Australia in 2026?
Ans- The OPRA exam registration process is very simple:
- Create a candidate account on the APC Portal.
- Make a profile with accurate personal information.
- Submit a Skills Assessment Eligibility Check request.
- Upload documents:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Identity proof (e.g., passport)
- Agent Authorisation form (if needed)
- Book the exam by selecting an available exam date and test center.
- Pay the fee through a credit or debit card.
Q- When is the OPRA exam in 2026?
Ans- The OPRA exam is conducted three times each year, in March, July, and November. Each session includes a registration period, exam window, and result release date.
Below is the official OPRA exam schedule for 2026:
| Session | Registration Window | Exam Dates | Results Released |
| Session 1 | 6 January - 23 February, 2026 | 23- 25 March, 2026 | 21 April, 2026 |
| Session 2 | 28 April - 15 June, 2026 | 13 - 15 July, 2026 | 11 August, 2026 |
| Session 3 | 18 August - 19 October, 2026 | 23 - 25 November, 2026 | 22 December, 2026 |
Q- What visa can I get after the OPRA exam?
Ans- Here are some common visa options after passing the OPRA exam. Most of them have chances to apply for PR within 3 years.
| Visa | Sponsorship/Nomination | PR Status | Points Bonus | Pathway to PR |
| 189 | No sponsor | Direct PR | None | Yes (direct) |
| 190 | State nomination | Direct PR | 5 | Yes |
| 491 | Regional/ State Family | Temporary | 15 | Yes. Via subclass 191 |
| 186 | Employer nomination | Direct PR | N/A | Yes |
| 482 | Temporary Skill Shortage | Temporary | N/A | Yes. Via subclass 186 |
And there you go. Your complete checklist for the OPRA exam is ready. Make sure to get your documents in order and start your preparation early. The OPRA 2026 session might be your chance to get to Australia.