Clearing the OPRA Exam 2026 is a proud milestone, but it’s only the beginning of your journey to becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia. Many candidates are surprised to learn that passing OPRA does not grant immediate registration. Instead, it opens the door to the next crucial phases: provisional registration, supervised internship training, and the Australian Pharmacist Intern Written and Oral Examinations.
This complete, step-by-step guide walks you through everything that comes after OPRA, from eligibility requirements and exam timelines to updated exam formats and smart preparation strategies, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and a clear path toward general pharmacist registration in Australia.
Start Your Pharmacy Internship in Australia
After passing the OPRA exam, overseas-trained pharmacists must:
- Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (AHPRA)
- Begin a supervised pharmacy internship
- Complete 1,575 hours of supervised practice
You must complete at least 75% (approximately 1,180 hours) of your internship before you can sit the Intern Written Exam.
This internship phase helps you gain hands-on experience in:
- Australian pharmacy law
- Patient counselling
- Dispensing standards
- Clinical decision-making
Understand the Intern Written & Oral Exam Pathway
The Australian Intern Written and Oral Examination evaluates whether you are ready to practise independently as a pharmacist in Australia.
Passing these exams confirms your:
- Clinical competence
- Professional judgement
- Communication skills
- Ability to apply pharmacy knowledge in real-world scenarios
Both exams are mandatory to progress from provisional to general registration.
Eligibility Criteria for the Intern Written Exam
You are eligible to apply if you:
- Are provisionally registered with Ahpra (or were previously registered)
- Have completed at least 75% of the 1,575 internship hours by the exam date
Important: If you register without completing the required hours, your application may be cancelled and a cancellation fee will apply.
Intern Written Exam – Key Dates
Staying informed about the Intern Written Exam registration windows, exam dates, and result release timelines is essential for smooth planning of your internship and exam preparation. The Australian Pharmacy Council conducts the exam in multiple cycles each year, allowing candidates to choose a suitable session based on their internship progress. Missing a deadline can delay your registration journey by several months, so careful scheduling is critical.
Registration, Exam & Results Schedule
| Registration Period | Exam Date | Results |
| 6 Jan – 26 Jan 2026 | 16 Feb 2026 | 12 Mar 2026 |
| 24 Mar – 25 May 2026 | 15 Jun 2026 | 9 Jul 2026 |
| 14 Jul – 21 Sep 2026 | 19–20 Oct 2026 | 12 Nov 2026 |
Intern Written Exam – Format & Structure
Revised Conditions (Effective January 2026)
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has introduced key changes to improve exam integrity.
Key updates:
- Restricted open-book format
- In-person exam only
- Fill-in-the-Blank (FIB) calculation questions
Exam Structure
- Computer-based exam
- 75 questions total
- MCQs
- FIB calculation questions
- Duration: 120 minutes
Additional time (not counted):
- 5 min NDA
- 10 min tutorial
- 5 min feedback survey
Permitted Reference Books (Physical Copies Only)
You may bring one original copy of each:
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF)
Not permitted:
- Handwritten notes
- Loose sheets
- Printed PDFs
- Oversized tabs
Exam Content & Competency Weighting
The exam is based on Domains 1 & 3 of the National Competency Standards Framework (2016).
| Competency Area | Weightage |
| Legal framework | 8% |
| Patient-centred care | 20% |
| Medication management implementation | 28% |
| Monitoring & evaluation | 28% |
| Compounding | 8% |
| Health promotion | 8% |
Topic Areas Covered
Calculations, Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, GI, Respiratory, Vaccination, Dermatology, Oncology, Statutory requirements, and more.
Written Exam Locations Across Australia
Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville
Oral Examination – Eligibility & Timeline
Written Exam Requirement
To sit the Oral Exam, you must:
- Hold a valid Intern Written Exam pass
- Pass validity: 18 months
Oral Exam Periods (2026)
| Exam Period | Applications Open | Applications Close |
| Feb 2026 | 16 Nov 2025 | 19 Dec 2025 |
| Jun 2026 | 2 Mar 2026 | 3 Apr 2026 |
| Oct 2026 | 29 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
Important Oral Exam Rules You Must Know
- Exam dates are randomly allocated
- You must be available for the entire exam window
- Date & time are emailed 2 weeks before
- Exam schedules vary by location
- Keep Ahpra contact details updated at all times
Oral Exam Locations by State
| State/Territory | City |
| NSW | Sydney |
| VIC | Melbourne |
| QLD | Brisbane |
| SA | Adelaide |
| WA | Perth |
| TAS | Hobart |
| ACT | Canberra |
| NT | Darwin |
Apply for General Pharmacist Registration
Once you have successfully completed all required internship hours and passed both the Intern Written and Oral Examinations, you become eligible to apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
During this stage, you must submit your application through AHPRA, along with all supporting documentation, including proof of completed supervised practice, exam results, and compliance with registration standards. After approval, you are legally authorised to practise independently as a registered pharmacist in Australia without supervision.
General registration unlocks broader career opportunities across community, hospital, and clinical pharmacy settings, allows you to change employers freely, and serves as a critical requirement for long-term career progression and potential permanent residency pathways.
Prepare Smartly: Intern Written & Oral Exam Preparation Course
Launching your pharmacy career in Australia is easier with the Australian Pharmacist Intern Written & Oral Exam Preparation Course by Academically.
What you get:
- Expert-led exam-focused training
- Strategies tailored for OPRA pharmacists
- Real-world case discussions
- Confidence-building oral exam prep
Complete 75% of your internship and walk into the exam fully prepared and confident.
Final Thoughts
Passing OPRA is only the beginning. With the right guidance, structured preparation, and expert support, you can confidently clear the Intern Written & Oral Exams and achieve full pharmacist registration in Australia.
The journey ahead requires more than knowledge; it demands strong clinical reasoning, effective communication, and a clear understanding of Australian pharmacy practice standards. By preparing early and following a focused exam strategy, you can reduce stress, avoid delays, and move steadily toward independent practice.
Start preparing early. Prepare smart. Succeed confidently.
