Australian Pharmacist Pathway for Overseas-Trained Professionals: Step-by-Step Registration Guide (2025)

Are you an overseas-trained pharmacist aiming to build a rewarding career in Australia? With its world-class healthcare system, multicultural work environment, and growing demand for skilled pharmacists, Australia offers excellent opportunities for qualified professionals from India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. As of 2025, the registration process has been streamlined with the introduction of the OPRA exam, replacing the older KAPS exam. This comprehensive step-by-step guide walks you through the updated pharmacist registration pathway in Australia, from eligibility assessment and OPRA exam preparation to securing general registration and starting your independent pharmacy practice. Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced practitioner, this guide provides the clarity and tools needed to confidently navigate your journey toward professional registration.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

The first and foremost step is to check whether you are even eligible for appearing in the assessment or not. In case of the latter, you will first need to complete the requirements and then apply for registration, as applicable.

Who Needs to Follow This Process?

• Overseas-trained pharmacists (including those from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, etc.)
  
  

• International pharmacy graduates whose degree is not registered in Australia, UK, US, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand.

You need to:

• Hold a pharmacy degree that is comparable or at least acceptable as per the strict Australian standards

Eligibility Assessment Table

You must begin your application process through the Australian Pharmacy Council’s (APC) Stream A eligibility check which offers an effortless submission method to apply.

Step 2: Pass the OPRA Exam (Replaced the KAPS)

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam came into effect in March 2025. The OPRA exam now serves as the official and current assessment that overseas-trained pharmacists must pass before obtaining provisional registration. Before obtaining provisional registration in Australia the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam functioned as an assessment tool for overseas-trained pharmacists until March 2025 when the OPRA exam became the new assessment.

What Is The OPRA Exam?

• The OPRA Exam is an assessment for assessing the readiness and pharmaceutical basics, that is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
  

• It is a computer-based, online exam that the candidates can appear for across multiple locations in the world.
  

• The exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The duration of the exam is 150 minutes.

• The central focus of the exam is on biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, therapeutics, and patient care.

Content Breakdown:

Internationally trained pharmacists undergo assessment of their applied knowledge along with decision-making abilities through the OPRA exam. Student success in clearing the exam depends on using current clinical guidelines and practice papers because they provide essential knowledge needed to pass the exam. To address patient-centered scenarios, candidates must use proper pharmacological principles correctly within patient situations.

Step 4: Intern Written and Oral Examination

During your internship, you will be required to pass the Intern Oral Exam, and the Written Exam which assesses:

• Clinical problem solving

• Legal and ethical standards

• Communication and patient interaction

This evaluation is conducted by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. A candidate may attempt the oral assessment after completing a minimum of 75% of their 1,575-hour supervised practice. The supervising pharmacist must also verify that the candidate is ready before they can sit for the assessment.

Step 5: Apply for General Registration

Once you:

• Complete internship hours

• Pass the intern oral exam

• Pass the intern written exam

You can apply for general registration as a pharmacist via AHPRA.

Documents Required:

• Internship completion certificate

• Oral and written exam result

• Final police clearance

• Updated ID documents

• Completion of ITP Certificate

Once approved, you will receive a general registration certificate, allowing you to practice unsupervised as a pharmacist in any state or territory in Australia.

Role of Elite Expertise

Elite Expertise functions as an education and support platform to assist hundreds of foreign pharmacists in achieving successful registration in both Australia and New Zealand.

The co-founders, Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu and Mr. Arief Mohammad, established Elite Expertise to deliver the following services:

• The preparation for OPRA exams includes mock tests, along with real case-based questions and performance tracking features.
  
  

• The team at Elite Expertise performs document assessment while guiding new registrants through the entire registration process.
  
  

• Provisional candidates seeking professional mentorship can establish connections with former candidates who now practice in Australia.

Mrs. Harika and Mr. Arief demonstrate strong expertise in hospital-focused pharmacy practice. Additionally, they also guide candidates for OPRA preparation, while helping them sharpen their interview abilities.

The team at Elite Expertise aids overseas pharmacists in preparing for the exam, document processing and professional communication to enable them to establish a successful practice in Australia.

Their goal is to utilize accessible, practical, and evidence-based educational programs designed to build overseas pharmacists’ confidence in navigating the whole process.

Final Tips for a Fast-Tracked Journey

Here are some quick tips that will ultimately end up saving you all the hassle and obstacles in no time

• The preparation process for OPRA should begin early with all the up-to-date resources, information, and local clinical guidelines.
  

• All translated documents that are not in English need to use certified translation services.
  

• A candidate must preserve and save all their documentation through both digital and printed formats.
  

• Full adherence to AHPRA’s certified documentation requirements must be maintained precisely.
  

• You should obtain guidance from mentors such as the ones in Elite Expertise, along with the appropriate migration agents or agencies.
  

• Many pharmacists in Australia utilize social media forums to receive support and guidance from fellow pharmacists who have gone through the same experiences before. Try searching for groups with keywords such as ‘International Pharmacists in Australia’, 'Pharmacy Board of Australia', 'AHPRA-certified pharmacists', etc.
  

• With the OPRA exam now replacing KAPS, the process is now more streamlined, but still demanding. Having a clear plan, reliable support, and an action-oriented mindset can help you become a registered pharmacist in Australia within 12 to 18 months.

Conclusion

The Australian journey to become a registered pharmacist no longer poses a distant challenge for overseas-trained professionals because it follows a well-designed path benefiting proactive and persistent candidates who plan ahead. Each phase in your pharmacy career advancement brings you closer to achieving your goal of practising in Australia’s well-known pharmaceutical system.

Elite Expertise, along with other initiatives, provides international applicants with proper mentorship and preparation resources combined with essential support structures to execute their goals. The pathway to support includes assistance for documentation preparation while also offering help in OPRA exam preparation, intern oral and written exams preparation and exclusive mentorship.

Through determination alongside the correct path, you can move toward full Australian pharmacist registration and begin your new professional phase of life.

This blog is for informational purposes only and reflects our own views and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, guidelines and requirements may change. Readers are advised to verify information with official sources such as the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and Ahpra before making any decisions. We do not take responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.

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About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise