It was still dark outside, just around 6:00 am, our phones started buzzing nonstop, we knew the good news had started flowing in. The July 2025 OPRA Exam results were announced, and even before sunrise, the celebration was in full swing.
Amid the flood of congratulatory messages lighting up our phones, two stories instantly caught our attention.
One came from Kruti, a fresh pharmacy graduate from Gujarat who’s now building her life in Australia. She had just shared the news that she’d passed her OPRA exam and, as if that wasn’t enough, had also landed her very first job in Australia.
The other was from Sridivya, a passionate pharmacist from Telangana who, without a single day of prior work experience, had managed to clear the OPRA exam on her very first try.
Two women, two completely different journeys, but one shared triumph.
Kruti’s Journey: From Gujarat to Australia
Kruti’s story began in Gujarat. She earned her B.Pharm from the KB Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Gujarat University. Many fresh graduates avoided retail pharmacy jobs because of low salaries and long hours. Kruti saw it differently.
“I wanted to move to Australia as a pharmacist, and I knew having retail experience would help me,” she recalls. “Even if the pay was low, the skills I learned would be priceless later.”
In March 2025, she made the big move to Australia. Her initial plan was to come on a student visa, but one day, while scrolling Instagram, she stumbled across a reel from Academically.
“That was my turning point. I realised I didn’t need to spend a fortune on a master’s degree to work in Australia. Passing the OPRA exam was the direct route, and Academically had everything I needed in one place.”
Kruti joined the OPRA Exam preparation course and spent three and a half months (March–July) in focused study, revising class notes daily, taking mock exams seriously, and following the lesson plans exactly as given.
Her verdict on the exam?
“It’s not about whether it is easy or hard. You know what you can expect after the right preparation.”
Just a day before her results were announced, Kruti landed her first job as an assistant pharmacist in Australia, proof that the combination of preparation and experience can open doors quickly.
Sridivya’s Journey: From Telangana to Australia Without Work Experience
While Kruti had retail experience to fall back on, Sridivya ’s path was entirely different.
She completed her B.Pharm at Sri Padmavati Mahila Vishwavidyalayam, Tirupati, but didn’t take up a job immediately after graduation. Instead, she invested her time in certifications: pharmacovigilance and other specialised courses.
Her decision to prepare for the OPRA exam came after a friend, who had joined Academically’s earlier batch, passed successfully. “She motivated me and gave me tips,” Sridivya says. “That’s when I joined Academically in March 2025. Kiran ma’am’s classes were amazing. I could listen to them multiple times and really understand the concepts.”
Sridivya ’s preparation was intense. For the first two months, she studied 4–5 hours a day. In the final month, she increased her study time to 10–12 hours daily, completing two full revisions in the last two weeks and taking every grand test seriously.
Her thoughts on the exam?
“It’s neither easy nor impossible. If you study consistently, follow your teacher’s guidance, and revise properly, you can pass it on the first attempt.”
With the exam behind her, Sridivya is now preparing to start her internship — the final step before becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia.
Life in Australia: Their Perspective
Both Kruti and Sridivya emphasise how safe, welcoming, and supportive Australia has been.
“The work culture here is amazing compared to India,” Kruti says. “People are friendly, ready to help, and never judge you for where you come from.”
Sridivya agrees: “Australians always greet you with a smile. It feels like this country belongs to you as much as to them.”
Lessons from Their Success
From Kruti’s experience and Sridivya ’s determination, a few clear lessons emerge for future OPRA candidates:
- Start gaining experience early, even low-paying jobs can give you the skills you’ll need abroad.
- Choose one reliable study source and stick with it; avoid wasting time chasing multiple materials.
- Make study a habit, not a sprint; consistency beats last-minute cramming.
- Practice under exam-like conditions to remove surprises on the big day.
A Shared Victory
Kruti and Sridivya ’s stories prove there’s no single “correct” path to OPRA success. Whether you’re fresh out of university or already working in the field, the combination of dedication, guidance, and focus can take you exactly where you want to be.
For overseas-trained pharmacists, the OPRA exam is more than a licensure requirement — it’s the key to a rewarding, impactful career in Australia.
