Table of Contents
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Who Passed the CAOP Exam in April 2026?
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What is the CAOP exam in Australia?
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How Difficult is the APC CAOP Exam?
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What is the Process After Passing the CAOP Exam?
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How Can Overseas Pharmacists Prepare for the CAOP Exam?
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Why Choose Elite Expertise for CAOP Exam Preparation?
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Key Takeaways
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Passed the CAOP Exam in April 2026?
We are thrilled to announce that Vibhutibahen Prashant Khatri, a dedicated student of Elite Expertise, has successfully passed the APC CAOP (Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists) exam in April 2026.
This is not just a personal milestone; it is a testament to what focused preparation, the right mentorship, and genuine support can achieve. Vibhutibahen's success reflects the kind of outcome that Elite Expertise strives to create for every overseas pharmacist who trusts the platform with their career journey.
At Elite Expertise, success stories like this are not accidental. They are the result of structured learning, clinically grounded guidance from faculty who have lived the same journey, and a community that genuinely cheers for every student.
What is the CAOP exam in Australia?
The CAOP exam stands for Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists. It is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and is a key step for internationally trained pharmacists who wish to practise in Australia.
Who Is the CAOP Exam For?
The CAOP pathway (also called the Competency Stream) applies to pharmacists who completed an approved pharmacy qualification in one of the following countries:
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Canada
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Fiji
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Ireland
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United Kingdom (UK)
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United States of America (USA)
Your qualification must be recognised by the pharmacy regulator in your country, and must be equivalent to the following:
| Qualification Year | Required Duration |
|---|---|
| Completed after 1 January 2006 | 4 years' full-time academic study |
| Completed before 1 January 2006 | 3 years' full-time academic study |
You must also be currently registered as a pharmacist in one of the above countries. If you do not meet these criteria, you will need to follow the skills assessment pathway instead.
CAOP Exam at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Number of Questions | 70 questions |
| Exam Fee | AU$2,100 |
| Eligibility Check Fee | AU$810 |
| Skills Assessment Outcome Fee | AU$300 |
2026 Upcoming Exam Dates
| Registration Period | Exam Dates | Results Released |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May – 20 July 2026 | 17–18 August 2026 | 10 September 2026 |
| 10 September – 19 October 2026 | 16–17 November 2026 | 10 December 2026 |
Where Can You Sit the CAOP Exam?
The exam is available at test centres across multiple countries:
| Country | Cities |
|---|---|
| Australia | Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville |
| Canada | Toronto |
| New Zealand | Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington |
| Ireland | Dublin |
| UK | London, Plymouth, Edinburgh |
| Philippines | Manila |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh |
| Fiji | Suva, Nadi |
How Difficult is the APC CAOP Exam?
The CAOP exam is widely regarded as one of the more demanding pharmacist registration exams in the world — and for good reason. It is not just a test of textbook knowledge. It assesses your practical competence, clinical reasoning, and your ability to apply knowledge in real-world Australian pharmacy settings.
What Makes It Challenging?
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Applied knowledge format: The 70 questions are designed to test your ability to think and act, not just recall facts
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Australian context: Medicines, scheduling, legislation, and clinical guidelines are all framed within the Australian healthcare system
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Broad scope: The exam covers community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and clinical decision-making
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Time pressure: 2 hours for 70 questions means you need both accuracy and speed
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High stakes: With a registration fee of AU$2,100 and limited exam windows per year, candidates cannot afford to go in underprepared
Many overseas pharmacists are highly qualified in their home countries yet find the CAOP challenging because of the specific Australian context. This is exactly where the right preparation partner makes all the difference.
What is the process after passing the CAOP exam?
Passing the CAOP exam is a major milestone, but it is part of a structured pathway. Here is what happens next:
Step-by-Step After Passing
Step 1 — Receive Your Skills Assessment Outcome
Once you pass the CAOP exam, you can request a copy of your Skills Assessment Outcome from the APC. This document is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Step 2 — Use It for Visa and Registration Applications
Your Skills Assessment An outcome can be used to:
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Apply to the Department of Home Affairs to support a visa application
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Apply to the Pharmacy Board of Australia for provisional (limited) registration
Step 3 — Complete Supervised Practice
After passing the CAOP exam, you will need to complete a period of supervised practice before receiving general registration. The duration is determined by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Step 4 — Apply for Limited Registration via Ahpra
You apply to the Pharmacy Board through Ahpra for limited registration and approval of your supervised practice plan.
It is recommended to contact the pharmacy board directly to understand your specific circumstances, as requirements can vary from case to case.
Important Notes
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The Skills Assessment Outcome validity for visa purposes is set by the Department of Home Affairs; APC cannot change this
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If significant changes occur after your outcome is issued, you can apply for an updated Skills Assessment from APC
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There is no expiry on the eligibility check
How Can Overseas Pharmacists Prepare for the CAOP Exam?
Preparation is everything when it comes to the CAOP exam. Here is a practical framework to approach your study:
1. Understand the Australian pharmacy system first.
Before diving into questions, invest time understanding the following:
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Australian drug scheduling (S2, S3, S4, S8, etc.)
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The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
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TGA regulations and standards
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Australian clinical guidelines (e.g., eTG, AMH)
2. Practise Applied, Scenario-Based Questions
The exam does not reward rote memorisation. Focus on case-based learning where you must make clinical decisions and counsel patients in the Australian context.
3. Study Consistently, Not Just Intensively
A consistent 2–3 hour daily study schedule over several months is far more effective than last-minute cramming, given the volume and complexity of content.
4. Learn From Those Who Have Done It
There is no substitute for guidance from practising pharmacists in Australia who understand both the exam content and the real-world application of pharmacy practice. Mentorship from working clinical pharmacists who are also experienced in overseas pharmacist assessment pathways is invaluable.
5. Use Timed Practice Sessions
Simulate exam conditions regularly. 70 questions in 120 minutes means roughly 1 minute 40 seconds per question; practise this pacing from early in your preparation.
6. Join a Structured Program
Self-study alone is often not enough. A structured programme that covers content, mock exams, feedback, and one-on-one support gives you a significant edge.
Why Choose Elite Expertise for CAOP Exam Preparation?
Elite Expertise is a global online edutech platform founded specifically for overseas pharmacists who aspire to migrate and practise in countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UAE, and New Zealand.
What sets Elite Expertise apart is not just the quality of its learning materials; it is the real-world clinical expertise of its founders.
Founded by Working Pharmacists, for Pharmacists
Elite Expertise was founded by Mr Arief Mohammad and Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu, both of whom are:
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Practising clinical pharmacists in Australia
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Accredited Consultant Pharmacists, a credential that represents the highest level of advanced practice recognition in the Australian pharmacy profession
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Overseas pharmacists themselves who have navigated the exact same registration pathway their students now face
This means when you learn with Elite Expertise, you are not learning from theory. You are learning from people who have lived it, passed it, and now practise it every single day in the Australian healthcare system.
What Elite Expertise Offers
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Structured CAOP exam preparation programs
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Clinically relevant, Australia-specific content
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Scenario-based and applied question practice
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Mentorship from accredited, practising pharmacists
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Support for students from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Africa, and beyond
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Coverage for multiple country pathways: Australia, Canada, Ireland, UAE, New Zealand
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A growing community of successful graduates like Vibhutibahen Prashant Khatri
A Track Record of Results
The CAOP exam result of April 2026 is just the latest in a line of success stories from Elite Expertise students. Every result is personal. Every pass represents a career transformed, a family moved forward, and a dream of practising pharmacy in a new country made real.
If you are an overseas pharmacist looking to register in Australia or any other country, Elite Expertise offers not just a course; it offers a clear, supported, and clinically grounded pathway to your goal.
6 Key Takeaways
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Vibhutibahen Prashant Khatri has passed the APC CAOP exam in April 2026, adding to Elite Expertise's growing list of success stories.
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The CAOP exam is a 2-hour, 70-question competency-based assessment conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council, costing AU$2,100.
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The CAOP pathway is open to pharmacists qualified in Canada, Ireland, the UK, or the USA who are currently registered in those countries.
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After passing the CAOP exam, candidates must obtain a Skills Assessment Outcome, apply for a visa, and complete a period of supervised practice before achieving General Registration.
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The exam is challenging because it tests applied clinical knowledge in the Australian context, not just recall, making expert mentorship essential.
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Elite Expertise, founded by Mr Arief Mohammad and Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu, both accredited consultant pharmacists practising in Australia, provides one of the most credible and clinically grounded CAOP preparation programmes available globally.
Conclusion
The CAOP exam result of April 2026 brings yet another reason to celebrate at Elite Expertise. Vibhutibahen Prashant Khatri's success is a powerful reminder that with the right preparation, the right guidance, and the right community behind you, passing the APC CAOP exam is absolutely achievable, no matter where in the world you are starting from.
The journey to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia is structured and demanding, but it is a well-defined pathway. From the eligibility check to the CAOP exam, from the skills assessment outcome to supervised practice and finally general registration, every step has a clear process, and no step needs to be taken alone.
What makes Elite Expertise different is not just what it teaches but also who is doing the teaching. When your mentors are accredited consultant pharmacists who are actively working in the Australian healthcare system and pharmacists who have personally navigated the overseas registration process, you are not just studying for an exam. You are learning how to actually think, practise, and succeed as a pharmacist in Australia.
Whether you are a pharmacist from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Middle East, Africa, or anywhere else in the world, your dream of practising in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the UAE is within reach. Thousands of overseas pharmacists have made it. Vibhutibahen has made it. And with Elite Expertise by your side, you can too.
Your next chapter starts here. Let Elite Expertise help you write it.