Step-by-Step Process to Become a Registered Pharmacist in Australia
Australia remains one of the top destinations for pharmacists from all over the world. While it is quite common for skilled pharmacists to relocate to Australia, the road to that is long and exhausting.
International qualified pharmacists must undergo a process: passing a licensing exam.
Once you complete the OPRA exam, the road to a thriving pharmacy career is easy in Australia. The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is a measure to certify foreign pharmacists so that they can work in the Australian health care system.
Why Choose Australia for Your Pharmacist Career?
Australia has a high demand for skilled healthcare professionals offers a continuous stream of pharmacy job opportunities
- Competitive salaries.
- Work-life balance
- High quality of life
- Industry exposure
- Multicultural environment
- High quality of education
Apart from this, Australia also offers medical care benefits for the family and the pharmacist.
Eligibility Criteria for the OPRA Exam
To be able to sit the exam, candidates must meet OPRA test eligibility criteria set by the APC. Such conditions normally are:
- A pharmacy degree of four years of full-time academic studies or a postgraduate degree (BPharm, M.Phill, or Pharm.D. graduates).
- Candidates should have basic knowledge of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
- Registration at home, being allowed to register in that country, or starting the registration process.
- Language tests such as PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, or OET (Occupational English Test) for Pharmacy, Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency).
How to Register for the OPRA Exam
The criteria have been set by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) for internationally trained pharmacists. Your first step should be to complete your registration period and submit your documents well before the closing date of the registration. The benefit of early registration cannot be overemphasized.
Follow the steps of the OPRA registration:
- Verify your eligibility by presenting proper supporting paperwork. The authorized institution must be the university where the degree was obtained.
- Use the Candidate Portal to register for the exam. Registrations open at 9 am and close at 5 pm AEDT/AEST.
- Select the most appropriate competency stream for your background and complete it.
- Upload your photo.
- Pay registration fee.
- Appear for the exam at the centre.
- Eligibility must be confirmed before registering for the OPRA exam
The application must be accompanied by supporting documents which at least show the qualifications and identity of the applicant. Exam fee payment is an integral part of the registration process. After submitting your qualifications and necessary documentation, proceed with the OPRA exam registration.
After Passing OPRA: Next Steps to Pharmacy Registration
- Download your Skills Assessment Report from the Candidate Portal only when you pass the exam.
- Employ it to request a visa from the Department of Home Affairs and get provisional registration from the Pharmacy Board of Australia (AHPRA).
- Carry out your supervised practice
- Get a pharmacist intern written and oral exam
- Meet the requirements of English Language test (PTE, OET, IELTS)
What is the Difference Between the KAPS exam and the OPRA exam?
The KAPS exam is replaced by the OPRA exam in March 2025. Here are some key differences:
| Feature | KAPS Exam (Old) | OPRA Exam (New) |
| Number of Papers | Two separate papers | One single paper |
| Number of Questions | 200 MCQs (100 per paper) | 120 MCQs |
| Duration | 4 hours (2 hours per paper) | 2.5 hours |
| Focus | More theoretical knowledge | Focus on the practical and therapeutic application of knowledge |
| Scoring | Traditional scoring | Rasch methodology (evidence-based psychometric analysis) |
| Cost | AUD 2290 | AUD 2190 |
How Elite Expertise Can Help You Prepare
Elite Expertise takes into consideration the fact that self-study can be really hard, especially for tests like the OPRA. Which is why here are the reasons to choose our course:
- Registered and licensed pharmacists of Australia with more than 10 years of pharmacy experience.
- OPRA exam free resources, quizzes, and downloadable guides tailored to Australian pharmacy exam standards.
- Mock exams for OPRA exam preparation.
- Personalized feedback and access to community.
- Complete study resources and access till the end of your exam.
- Flexibility offers working pharmacists the choice of a course to their preferred time.
Conclusion
In Australia, becoming a pharmacist is an arduous task that requires time, proper planning, and the firm will to succeed; however, it is still very much possible.
Effectively accomplishing the OPRA examination, satisfying the language requirements, and completing the supervised practice and registration stages are the keys to accessing the Australian healthcare system.
Australia has great advantages for pharmacists in the future, where the demand for professionals will be high; albeit, the salaries will be excellent, and the environment will always be very supportive for healthcare professionals.
We at Elite Expertise are the people to turn to when you need help in overcoming the obstacles of this pathway. Our knowledge, practice tests, and professional coaching have helped many pharmacists get through their path successfully.
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