Quick Summary
The Intern Written Exam comes after OPRA, once you have provisional registration and most of your internship hours done. It is a 2-hour, 75-question, open-book test run by the APC, costing AU$790 per try. You need only two set books, and get a simple Pass or Unsuccessful result, valid for 18 months.
What Is the Intern Pharmacist Written Exam?
The Intern Written Exam is a computer test run by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) to check if you can work safely as a pharmacist on your own. It is one of the last steps before full registration, alongside the Oral Exam and your Intern Training Program.
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Run by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
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Checks if you can work safely as a pharmacist.
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Comes after OPRA Exam and provisional registration.
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Paired with the Oral Exam for full registration.
What Happens After You Pass OPRA?
After OPRA, you get provisional registration, then do your internship hours, then sit the Written and Oral Exams before full registration. You can sit the Written Exam once 75% of your hours are done.
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Get provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
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Do your internship hours at an approved pharmacy.
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Sit and pass the Intern Written Exam and the Oral Exam.
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Apply for full registration once both exams are done.
What Is the Format of the Written Exam?
The IWE is a 2-hour, 75-question, restricted open-book test held at approved test centres.
Questions are multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank maths in a different order for each candidate.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 (multiple-choice + fill-in-the-blank) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Format | Restricted open-book, computer-based |
| Fee | AU$790 per attempt |
| Sessions per year | 3 |
| Result validity | 18 months |
Which Topics Does the Written Exam Cover?
The exam tests six skill areas under Domains 1 and 3 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists.
Each skill area has a set share of the 75 questions, so no single topic is skipped.
| Skill Area | Share of Questions |
|---|---|
| 1.3 Follow the law that applies to pharmacy | 8% |
| 3.1 Give patient-centred, respectful care | 20% |
| 3.2 Carry out the medicine management plan | 28% |
| 3.3 Check and review medicine management | 28% |
| 3.4 Make compounded medicines | 8% |
| 3.6 Support health and well-being | 8% |
Topics include pain relief, infections, heart health, skin, hormones, stomach and gut, cancer care, mental health, breathing, poisons, vaccines, and women's health.
Which Books Can You Use in the Exam?
You can bring one real copy each of the AMH and APF — no other books or loose notes.
Simple highlighting, short notes, and small tabs are fine, but the books won't have every answer.
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Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) — one real copy.
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Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) — one real copy.
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No loose pages or long handwritten notes allowed.
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You still need your own clinical knowledge, not just the books.
How Is the Written Exam Scored?
The IWE uses a scaled score set by experts, so you are not compared to other candidates. Of the 75 questions, 90% count towards your score, and 10% are test questions that don't count.
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Experts set the pass mark, not a fixed number.
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You will not know which questions don't count.
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Result is only "Pass" or "Unsuccessful" — no scores shared.
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Check your result by email, then in your Candidate Portal.
Where and When Can You Sit the Exam?
The IWE is held only in Australia, at 14 test centres, three times a year. Seats fill up fast, so book as soon as registration opens for your session.
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Cities include Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, among others.
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Held three times a year, roughly in June and October.
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You get your exact test centre and time after you book.
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Registration for each session closes about one month before the exam.
How Do You Register for the Exam?
You sign up and pay the AU$790 fee through the APC Candidate Portal, using a Visa or Mastercard from your home country. You can reschedule or cancel for part of your money back during the booking period.
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Sign up through the APC Candidate Portal.
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Pay by Visa or Mastercard, issued in your home country.
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You must have 75% of your internship hours done, or finish them by exam day.
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Late sign-ups are not accepted.
What Happens If You Don't Pass?
If you don't pass, you can book and pay again for the next session with no limit on tries. After three failed tries, APC offers a free chat about your study plan and weak spots.
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Book again once the next session opens.
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Free counselling after 3 failed tries, plus a second one later if needed.
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Contact APC within 1 month of your result.
How Does Elite Expertise Prepare Students for the Written Exam?
Elite Expertise runs a full coaching course for the Intern Written Exam, built around the same six skill areas used in the real test. The course follows three simple steps and is led by two working clinical pharmacists.
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Length: About 3.5 months, over 15 weeks online with 300+ hours of live and recorded classes across 150+ lessons.
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Practice: 3,000+ practice questions to build speed and accuracy.
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Teaching steps: First, build your knowledge in short lessons. Then, practise like the real exam with clinical scenarios and examiner-style marking. Then, watch, reflect, and improve your technique.
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Extras: Unlimited course access, a WhatsApp group with other students, and regular tasks with feedback.
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Trainers: Arief Mohammad, clinical pharmacist at Northern Health Hospital (Melbourne), and Harika Bheemavarapu, clinical pharmacist and educator at Monash Health Hospital (Melbourne). Both are AACP-accredited and KAPS-qualified, with 10+ years' experience each.
Final Words
The Intern Written Exam is your last big written step after OPRA, provisional registration, and internship hours. Learn the exam format, use only the two allowed books, study all six skill areas, and book your test centre early.
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Learn the exam format and timing before exam day.
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Use only the two allowed books — AMH and APF.
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Study all six skill areas, not just your strong topics.
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Book early, as test centre seats fill up fast.
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Mix APC's own guide with steady daily study for the best result.
Key Takeaways
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The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) runs the Intern Written Exam (IWE).
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It comes after OPRA, provisional registration, and internship hours.
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It has 75 questions, runs for 2 hours and costs AU$790 per try.
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It is open-book but only two set books — AMH and APF — are allowed.
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Results are just "Pass" or "Unsuccessful," and last 18 months.
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Passing the IWE plus the Oral Exam lets you get full registration.