Learning Format:
Live Classes + Recordings
OPRA Exam Preparation Course Become a Registered Pharmacist in Australia
Pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA®) exam on your first attempt with the best online OPRA coaching. Our OPRA preparation course includes online classes, extensive study resources, and AI-driven mock tests, making it the ideal OPRA Exam Preparation Course for international pharmacists seeking to move to and practise in Australia.
30 Apr 2025
Batch Starts On
4 Months
Course Duration
120+ hours of live and recorded OPRA Exam video tutorials
Live classes + recorded sessions, study handouts, mock tests, and final OPRA AI grand test
Extended OPRA course trainer access
Adaptive AI-driven mock tests according to Rasch methodology
One-on-one feedback sessions with the trainer
Exclusive tips on approaching the new pattern for international pharmacists
Why Become a Pharmacist in Australia?
₹ 50 Lakh
Annual salary of Registered Pharmacists in Australia
3000+
Current openings for the role of Registered Pharmacist
185,000+
Visas for Skilled Workers in Australia
About The Course
1
The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) for pharmacists seeking registration to practise in Australia
2
The OPRA Exam Preparation Course covers essential content and offers guidance and resources for boosting success in the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam
3
Secure lifelong membership to our pharmacist-led chat group and access complimentary CV writing webinars, along with tips for securing your first job
4
By clearing this exam, international pharmacists can become and practise as registered pharmacists in Australia
Who Is The Course For?
Foreign-trained pharmacists who want to practise, migrate, and settle in Australia
Pharmacists taking the OPRA examination for the first time
Those who want to take the examination with complete preparation
What's More That
Comes With Our Course?
1-On-1 Q&A Sessions
We provide online one-on-one counselling and Q&A sessions to ensure online learning is beneficial for the aspirants. Our mentors help aspirants clear their doubts and queries and get all the answers they need.
Live+Recorded Sessions
Missed a live lecture? Don't worry. You can always find a recorded lecture on our platform and revisit it as many times as you want during the course duration.
Extended Course Access
Getting the course once will help you prepare for not one but multiple attempts. You get access to all the resources for more than a year, to ensure proper revision.
Community Building
We help you get in touch with a community of experts, which includes mentors, registered practitioners, previous alumni and those who have successfully cleared the exams. This adds value to your preparation and get all the guidance and motivation you need.
Explore The Full Curriculum
Biomedical Sciences
Physiological processes and normal bodily function for all systems
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Pathophysiology
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Medical microbiology
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Immunology
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Disorders affecting bodily fluids
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Symptoms and physiological values of disease states and disorders
Meet The Instructors
Our Testimonials
About The OPRA
What is the OPRA
The OPRA or the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment is the licensure exam global pharmacists need to clear to become registered pharmacists in Australia. The exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, which is the registering bosy for pharmacists in Australia. Foreign-trained pharmacists who have completed their education and training outside Australia or New Zealand have to take this examination if they are aiming to migrate, practice and settle in Australia.
The OPRA exam has replaced the KAPS or the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences examination which was used for assessment purposes till the end of 2024. Now, the OPRA is a comprehensive testing using Rasch method, which ensures that global pharmacists are eligible to work in Australian healthcare setting.
OPRA Exam Eligibility Criteria
The Australian Pharmacy Council ensures that talented and skilled global pharmacists are able to register and practice in Australia without facing major difficulties. Therefore, they ensure that the OPRA exam eligibility is not too difficult to achieve. To be eligible to write the Exam, a pharmacist must have the following:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), including mark sheets and degree certificates
- Active registration with the state pharmacy council in your home country as a practising pharmacist
Global pharmacists can thus take the OPRA exam right after completing their B.Pharm or any other bachelors level degree in Pharmacy from any country. Absolutely no experience is required to be eligible for the exam, but having experience can be highly beneficial in getting a visa and a job.
Ensure that all your documents are translated into English language to avoid difficulties in the process. Also, ensure that you have the transcript ready as merely degree will not suffice. The documents required for the process include-
- Degree
- Transcript
- Birth Certificate
- Valid Passport
- Government ID Proof
- Passport Sized Photograph
- Pharmacist Registration Certificate
Procedure for OPRA
1. Initial Skill Assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council
The first step is to check if you are eligible to appear for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Exam. For this, the Australian Pharmacy Council will check your records and declare your eligibility. Once you clear this initial assessment, you will be eligible to appear for the Exam.
2. The OPRA Exam
The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam is an online computer-based exam, which you can take from the choice of a test centre in your home country. The exam is conducted thrice a yearly in March, July, and November. The exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 2.5 hours and is in a single-paper format. There is no negative marking.
3. English Proficiency
The Pharmacy Board of Australia acknowledges various language assessment methods, including IELTS and OET. To meet their language proficiency requirements, you should attain a minimum score of 7.5 on the academic version of IELTS, with no less than 7 in each section. Alternatively, for the Occupational English Test (OET), a minimum score of 6.5 overall, or a 7 in every individual component, is necessary.
4. Internship and Provisional Registration
After completing the OPRA and the English exam, you will be granted provisional registration by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. With this, you can kickstart a paid pharmacy internship in Australia. You must search for jobs and internships with visa sponsorships, so that you can move to Australia with a work visa and start earning.
5. Intern Oral and Written Exam
After completing your 1575 hours of internship or even 75% of the same, you can take the Australia Intern Written and Oral examination. Clearing this exam will help you prove to the Australian Pharmacy Council and the Pharmacy Board of Australia, that you are now eligible to work as an independent pharmacist in Australia.
6. Compelete Registration
The final step is complete or final registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, after which you can either continue to work with the same employer you pursued internship with, or find new jobs. This registration means that you are now eligible to work independently in Australia.
Exam Format
The OPRA consists of a single paper. A total of 120 questions to be attempted in 2.5 hours. Topics covered in the OPRA exam along with weightage include-
- Biomedical Sciences (20%)
- Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (10%)
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (10%)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (15%)
- Therapeutics and Patient Care (45%)
The OPRA exam uses Rasch methodology for testing. This is an adaptive testing method which decides whether you pass or fail the exam with no clear passing marks or score. The difficulty of questions is adjusted according to how well you answer previous ones, with the overall result reflecting the difference between your ability and the difficulty of the questions.
- Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Number of Papers: One single paper
- Number of Questions: 120
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Breaks: No breaks allowed during the exam
- Testing Methodology: Rasch methodology
- Result Availability: Within 4 weeks post-exam
Testing Centres
The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam is conducted online so that you can write the exam at the test centre nearest to you. There are 10 test centres in India and numerous others around the world.
Testing Centres in India
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Ludhiana
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
- Noida
Testing Centres Around the World
- Australia- Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville
- Argentina- Buenos Aires
- Botswana- Gaborone
- Canada- Toronto
- Egypt- Cairo, Giza
- Fiji- Suva
- Finland- Espoo, Helsinki
- Ghana- Legon
- Greece- Athens
- Hong Kong SAR- Hong Kong
- Jamaica- Kingston
- Kenya- Nairobi
- Malaysia- Kuala Lumpur
- Nepal- Birtamode
- New Zealand- Auckland, Wellington
- Oman- Muscat
- Pakistan- Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi
- Peru- Lima
- Philippines- Manila
- Poland- Krakow
- Qatar- Doha
- Saudi Arabia- Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh
- Singapore- Singapore
- Spain- Madrid
- South Africa- Johannesburg, Cape Town
- Sri Lanka- Colombo
- Taiwan- Kaohsiung, Taipei City
- Thailand- Bangkok
- Türkiye- Istanbul
- United Arab Emirates- Dubai
- United Kingdom- London
- Zimbabwe- Harare
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OPRA exam, and who should take it?
The OPRA or the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment is the licensure exam for overseas-trained pharmacists who want to work in Australia. It has replaced the KAPS exam which the Australian Pharmacy Council earlier conducted to test the knowledge and competence of global pharmacists.
Who is eligible to take the OPRA exam?
Anyone who is an internationally qualified pharmacist with a pharmacy degree equal to Australian standards is eligible to take the OPRA exam. You can take the OPRA exam immediately after completing your B.Pharm or other Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy at an institute recognised by the WDoMS. You also need to be registered in your home country or with the state pharmacy council of the place where you are working. Moreover, no experience is required to be eligible for this exam.
Is the OPRA exam difficult?
The OPRA exam is an international test, which is a comprehensive assessment of your pharmacy knowledge. Therefore, it is moderately challenging, especially due to the use of Rasch methodology and the absence of a fixed passing score. However, with the right guidance and preparation material, you can crack it easily, just like hundreds of pharmacists have done with Academically.
How is the OPRA exam conducted, and what is the passing criteria?
The OPRA exam is a computer-based test that consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. It is evaluated using the Rasch method of scoring, which ensures a fair outcome for all the students. There is no fixed mark as a passing criterion.
What is the Rasch methodology in the OPRA exam?
Rasch methodology is the testing method used to derive results from the OPRA exam. It is a psychometric approach known for ensuring consistent difficulty and fairness in exam scoring. The Rasch method assesses the difficulty of the question and the candidate's ability to ensure that a proper outcome regarding the candidate’s competence is obtained.
What is the cost of taking the OPRA exam?
The OPRA exam costs AUD 2,190, which is less than the fee of the KAPS exam. When converted into Indian currency, this amounts to approximately INR 1.25 Lakh, depending on the exchange rate. However, the OPRA process covers some additional costs such as the fee for the initial skills assessment, English proficiency test, etc.
What is the eligibility and registration process for OPRA?
Anyone who has completed their Bachelor's or higher degree in Pharmacy can take the OPRA exam. To register for OPRA, you need to begin with the initial skills assessment with the Australian Pharmacy Council. Once they consider you eligible for the exam, you can choose the date and time for your exam and prepare accordingly.
What if I’ve already registered or completed a skills assessment?
Once you have completed the skills assessment by the Australian Pharmacy Council, you are eligible to take the OPRA examination. You do not need to take it repeatedly, no matter how many OPRA attempts you take. Once completed, the skills assessment result is valid for a lifetime.
Can I choose not to take the OPRA exam?
If you are eligible for other pathways offered by the Australian Pharmacy Council, such as the Competent Authority Pathway or the Trans Tasman Pathway, and have not completed your higher pharmacy studies in Australia, you need to take the OPRA exam to register as a pharmacist in Australia.
What if I have given KAPS part 1? Do I need to take OPRA again?
OPRA is now the new testing standard drawn out by the APC. So, if you have only passed KAPS Part 1, you will need to take the OPRA exam unless the Australian Pharmacy Council has granted you a direct equivalence based on your KAPS Part 1 results.
What is the syllabus for the OPRA exam?
The OPRA exam covers core pharmacy subjects such as Biomedical sciences, Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, Pharmacology and toxicology and Therapeutics and patient care. The shift to OPRA from KAPS has led to a greater focus on therapeutics and the practical application of knowledge.
What is the full form of OPRA?
OPRA stands for Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment. It is the assessment conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council to offer registration to overseas-trained pharmacists who aspire to work in Australia.
What is the pass rate for the OPRA exam?
Since the OPRA exam is a newly launched exam with only one attempt conducted as of now, identifying the pass rate would be difficult. However, at Academically, our first-ever OPRA batch has achieved a success rate of around 87% in the very first OPRA attempt.
How many attempts are allowed for the OPRA exam?
There is no limit on the number of attempts you can take for the OPRA examination Australia. Moreover, you do not need to complete the initial skills assessment every time you decide to attempt the OPRA exam.
What is the validity of the OPRA exam?
Once cleared, the OPRA exam result is valid for three years. Within this time frame, pharmacists need to complete their internship, complete registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and get their work visa and a full-time job in Australia.
What happens after the OPRA exam?
After clearing the OPRA exam, you get a provision registration from the Australian Pharmacy Council. Now, you need to find an internship/job with sponsorship, complete 1,575 hours of supervised training and then get complete registration from the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
How to become a pharmacist in Australia from India?
You can become a pharmacist in Australia after completing your pharmacy degree in India with the help of the OPRA examination. You can take the OPRA exam from your nearest testing centre in India and crack it to become a registered pharmacist in Australia, with no prior experience required.
What is the meaning of OPRA in pharmacy?
In the field of pharmacy, the OPRA exam is an international exam known as the Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment. The Australian Pharmacy Council conducts this exam to test the competence of and offer registration to global pharmacists in Australia.
What is the qualification for pharmacists in Australia?
To become a registered pharmacist in Australia, you must hold a recognised pharmacy degree along with pharmacy registration in your home country or with the state pharmacy council of the place where you are working.
How long is the OPRA exam?
The OPRA exam is a single-paper exam conducted over a single day. It is conducted in one session of 2.5 hours, without any breaks. There are 120 multiple-choice questions in the exam.
What is the salary of a pharmacist in Australia?
Pharmacists in Australia can earn anywhere between AUD 70,000 to AUD 95,000 annually. This can change based on location and experience. Senior roles or roles in regional areas often offer better salaries. When converted to INR, these salaries range from 50 LPA to 80 LPA.
Is OPRA more difficult than KAPS?
The OPRA exam is simpler than KAPS as it is a single exam conducted in one session, unlike KAPS, which consists of two papers. However, when it comes to testing and scoring, OPRA is a bit more complex as it tests using Rasch methodology, unlike KAPS, which had no negative marking and a 50% passing requirement.
What is the OPRA Exam Fee in Indian Rupees?
The OPRA exam costs AUD 2190, which in Indian rupees is around INR 1.25 Lakh. Apart from this, there are other expenses such as an initial skills assessment, which costs around 45k INR and an English proficiency test, which costs around 15k INR.
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