One of the most important steps in the journey of becoming a pharmacist in Australia is passing the AHPRA oral exam. This exam is the final assessment for a candidate to see if they can practise safely, ethically, and competently in real Australian healthcare settings.
Although the AHPRA oral exam is a relatively short assessment, a lot depends on it. Therefore, it is essential to be well prepared for it. And the best way to prepare is to be aware.
This complete guide explains the AHPRA oral exam for 2026, including its purpose, format, eligibility, preparation tips, and what mistakes to avoid.
What Is the AHPRA Oral Exam?
The AHPRA oral exam forms part of the competency assessment for pharmacists. The exam checks whether you can
- Apply their knowledge in practical situations
- Communicate clearly
- Follow legal requirements, and
- Make safe professional decisions
The oral exam focuses on real-life practice. It tests how candidates think, respond, and interact in everyday professional situations. Once you pass the oral exam, you can move from provisional or intern registration to general registration.
Who Needs to Sit the Oral Exam?
You need to meet these specific requirements to become eligible for the AHPRA oral exam.
- Have provisional registration with AHPRA
- Complete at least 75% of supervised practice hours
- Pass the OPRA written examination
- Submit the oral exam application form before the deadline
Both written and oral exams are mandatory parts of the registration process.
AHPRA Oral Exam Format for 2026
The oral exam usually lasts 35 to 40 minutes and consists of three structured sections. Each section tests different professional skills.
Part A: Primary Healthcare (About 10 Minutes)
This section focuses on patient interaction. Candidates usually participate in a role-play with a simulated patient.
In this part, you will:
- Take a structured patient history
- Ask relevant and open-ended questions
- Identify symptoms and red flags
- Recommend appropriate over-the-counter treatments
- Provide clear and safe advice
- Demonstrate good communication and empathy
No reference materials are allowed. Examiners observe communication style, confidence, and patient-centred care.
Example questions and scenarios:
- A patient asks for something for a sore throat and fever. How do you manage the consultation?
- A parent asks for medication for a child with diarrhoea. What questions do you ask?
- A patient wants an OTC product but shows warning signs. What do you do next?
Part B: Legal and Professional Practice (5–10 Minutes)
This section assesses professional judgement and ethical understanding.
You will discuss topics such as:
- Legal responsibilities in practice
- Professional boundaries
- Ethical dilemmas
- Patient confidentiality
- Handling professional misconduct
This section is discussion-based, not a role-play. Reference materials are not permitted. Examiners focus on professionalism, awareness of laws, and decision-making ability.
Example questions:
- What do you do if you dispense the wrong medicine?
- How do you handle a request that goes against professional guidelines?
- How do you maintain patient confidentiality in practice?
Part C: Problem Solving and Clinical Reasoning (About 20 Minutes)
This is the longest and most detailed part of the exam. You will receive complex practice-based scenarios.
Typical tasks include:
- Reviewing prescriptions
- Identifying drug interactions or contraindications
- Assessing medication safety
- Communicating with prescribers
- Managing patient counselling situations
In this section, you may use approved reference materials, such as medicine handbooks and therapeutic guidelines.
Examiners assess structured thinking, patient safety, accuracy, and clarity of explanation.
Example questions and scenarios:
- A prescription contains a high-risk drug interaction. How do you manage it?
- A patient reports side effects after starting a new medicine. What steps do you take?
- A doctor prescribes an unusual dose. How do you approach the situation?
Exam Schedule for 2026
The Pharmacy Board of Australia releases three oral examination periods each year. Here is the official 2026 timeline for exam periods and application windows:
| Oral Exam Period (2026) | Applications Open | Applications Close |
| 2 Feb – 27 Feb 2026 | 16 Nov 2025 | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 1 Jun – 26 Jun 2026 | 2 Mar 2026 | 3 Apr 2026 |
| 5 Oct – 30 Oct 2026 | 29 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
You must apply within the official application window. Late applications are not accepted. Exam dates and times are provided after the application period closes.
How Examiners Assess Performance
Across all three sections, examiners assess whether you can:
- Think logically and safely
- Communicate clearly and professionally
- Apply knowledge correctly
- Understand legal and ethical responsibilities
- Prioritise patient safety at all times
Examiners do not expect perfection. They value safe decision-making, clear reasoning, and honest communication.
Common Mistakes in the AHPRA Oral Exam and How to Avoid Them
Many candidates fail not due to lack of knowledge, but due to avoidable mistakes.
1. Poor structure in answers and giving random or rushed responses.
How to avoid: Use a clear structure. Explain your thinking step by step.
2. Not asking enough questions and giving advice without gathering enough information.
How to avoid: Always take a proper history before giving recommendations.
3. Missing warning signs or serious symptoms.
How to avoid: Actively look for red flags and refer when needed.
4. Weak communication skills and using complex terms or sounding unsure.
How to avoid: Speak clearly, calmly, and in simple language.
5. Poor legal or ethical awareness and giving unsafe or illegal advice.
How to avoid: Revise laws, ethics, and professional standards regularly.
6. Over-reliance on reference materials and spending too much time searching instead of reasoning.
How to avoid: Know where to look and use references efficiently.
How to Prepare for the AHPRA Oral Exam
Effective preparation focuses on practice and confidence.
- Practise patient role-plays regularly
- Revise law, ethics, and professional standards
- Do timed mock oral exams
- Practise explaining your reasoning out loud
- Stay calm and organised during the exam
Get Ready For AHPRA Oral Exam
The AHPRA Oral exam is the final step in your journey to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. You have already crossed several milestones; think of this as the final step in your journey.
After you pass the oral exam, you can go ahead with your final registration. And after that comes the job search, which has now become much easier with healthcare-centred job platforms like Jobslly.
Now, if you are planning to take the AHPRA oral exam this year, now is the perfect time to start your preparation. You already have the knowledge; all you need is to brush up on your communication skills. And you’ll ace the exam.
