Introduction
Hello, pharma aspirant!
If you have landed here, then it’s just not a mere sign, it’s your will that gets you here! Your career aspirations bring you here to Elite Expertise. For those of you who are new to Elite Expertise, here is a small gist of what we do, we specialize in mentoring and training international pharmacists for licensure exams, including the OPRA Exam 2025 (Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Examination).
This blog will provide everything you need to know about OPRA 2025—eligibility, fees, exam format, preparation strategies, and post-exam career pathways.
About Elite Expertise
Elite Expertise was founded by Harika Bheemavarapu and Arief Mohammad, both accredited Clinical Pharmacists in Australia. Our mission is to mentor overseas pharmacists through the licensure process and help them achieve their professional goals in Australia
What Are Pharmacy Licensure Exams?
Every country has a regulatory body that ensures pharmacists trained overseas meet the required competency standards before practicing. Below is a breakdown of licensure exams for international pharmacists across different countries
| Country | Regulatory Body | Licensure Exam | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) | KAPS & OPRA | Required for international pharmacists to register in Australia |
| Canada | Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | PEBC Evaluating & PEBC Qualifying Exam | Required for licensure in Canada |
| USA | National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) | NAPLEX | Required to practice pharmacy in the USA |
| UK | General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) | OSPAP & Registration Assessment Exam | Required for registration in the UK |
| New Zealand | Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) | KAPS & Intern Training Program | Required for registration in New Zealand |
| Ireland | Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) | PSI Equivalence Exam | Required for registration in Ireland |
| UAE (Dubai) | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | DHA Exam | Required for pharmacists to work in Dubai |
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH/HAAD) | HAAD Exam | Required for pharmacists to work in Abu Dhabi |
Why is Australia the Best Choice for Pharmacists?
Australia is one of the top destinations for international pharmacists due to the following benefits:
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Better Work-Life Balance
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World-Class Healthcare System
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High Quality of Life
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Attractive Salary Packages
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High Demand for Pharmacists, Especially in Rural Areas
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Pathway to Permanent Residency
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Diverse Career Opportunities & Specializations
How to Become a Pharmacist in Australia?
There are various steps involved to become pharmacists in Australia:
STEP 1: Skills assessment
STEP 2: OPRA exam or the Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Exam by Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
STEP 3: English language proficiency test like PTE, IELTS, OET
STEP 4: Apply for VISA and migrate to Australia
STEP 5: Apply for Provisional registration
STEP 6: Find an internship supervised by a preceptor
STEP 7: After completing 75% of the supervised hours give the Intern exams
STEP 8: Pass the Australian pharmacist Intern Written and Intern Written exams
STEP 9: Complete the rest of the hours of internship
STEP 10: Apply to Pharmacy Board Australia to become fully registered as a pharmacist and practise in Australia
Overall, there are four testing phases to be passed in the journey to become a pharmacist in Australia, 2 of the tests before migrating to Australia and 2 tests after migration which are as follows:
· OPRA exam
· English language proficiency
· Intern Oral exam
Let’s get into the details of the first exam, that is the OPRA exam:
What is the OPRA Exam?
The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam is designed to evaluate internationally trained pharmacists' clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and readiness to work in Australia’s healthcare system.
KAPS vs OPRA Exam: What’s the Difference?
The KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences) Exam has now been replaced by the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment) Exam for international pharmacists aiming to practice in Australia. Unlike KAPS, which focused on theoretical pharmaceutical sciences, OPRA is designed to assess clinical decision-making, communication, and practical pharmacy skills relevant to the Australian healthcare system. This change ensures that overseas pharmacists are better prepared for real-world practice before progressing to their internship and final registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
OPRA Exam 2025 Fees
| Fee Description | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Check | 810 |
| OPRA Exam | 2,190 |
| Skills Assessment Outcome Letter | 300 |
| Total (Excluding English Test & Visa Fees) | AUD 3,300 (~INR 1,80,489 as of March 2025) |
Eligibility Criteria for the OPRA exam?
Pharmacy degree: Have a valid Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm), Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm), or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from a recognized university
Home Country Registration: Be registered or eligible for registration as a pharmacist in your country
Countries eligible: The candidate who has NOT been trained in any of these countries like: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (USA). For Example:
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India
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Sri Lanka
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Nepal
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Bhutan
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Bangladesh
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Pakistan
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Africa and so on…
Validity of the OPRA exam
The exam outcome after you pass, will be valid for 3 years from the date the APC releases exam results and NOT from the exam date.
For any further clarifications on validity please visit APC websiteOPRA Exam 2025 Format
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Mode: Computer-based MCQ exam
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Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
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Total Questions: 120 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
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Papers: 1 (Unlike KAPS, which has 2 papers)
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Breaks: None (Closed-book exam)
OPRA exam syllabus
Here is the OPRA exam syllabus in the given table.
| Content Area | Percentage of Questions |
|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences | 20% |
| Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics | 10% |
| Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics | 10% |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 15% |
| Therapeutics and Patient Care | 45% |
OPRA Exam Dates & Test Centers
The exam is conducted three times a year. Typically, the exam dates are in March, July, and November. (As per March 2025)
| Registration Period | Exam Dates | Results Released |
|---|---|---|
| 9 January - 31 January 2025 | 3 - 5 March 2025 | 1 April 2025 |
| 8 April - 16 June 2025 | 14 - 16 July 2025 | 12 August 2025 |
| 19 August - 27 October 2025 | 24 - 26 November 2025 | 22 December 2025 |
Other important dates to remember when it comes to OPRA exam and KAPS exam:
| Exam Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Final KAPS Exam Session | 25 - 27 November 2024 |
| First OPRA Exam Session | 3 - 5 March 2025 |
| OPRA Exam Registration | 9 January - 3 February 2025 |
Test Centers
| Country | City |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Buenos Aires |
| Australia | Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville |
| Botswana | Gaborone |
| Canada | Toronto |
| Egypt | Cairo and surrounding areas, Giza |
| Fiji | Suva |
| Finland | Espoo and Helsinki |
| Ghana | Legon |
| Greece | Athens |
| Hong Kong SAR | Hong Kong |
| India | Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida, and surrounding areas |
| Jamaica | Kingston |
| Kenya | Nairobi |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur |
| Nepal | Birtamode |
| New Zealand | Auckland and Wellington |
| Oman | Muscat |
| Pakistan | Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and surrounding areas |
| Peru | Lima |
| Philippines | Manila |
| Poland | Krakow |
| Qatar | Doha |
| Saudi Arabia | Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh |
| Singapore | Singapore |
| Spain | Madrid |
| South Africa | Johannesburg, Cape Town |
| Sri Lanka | Colombo and Western Province |
| Taiwan | Kaohsiung, Taipei City |
| Thailand | Bangkok |
| Türkiye | Istanbul |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai and surrounding areas |
| United Kingdom | London |
| Zimbabwe | Harare |
Common Questions - OPRA Exam 2025
What if I fail the OPRA exam?
Failing the exam is not the end it indicates you need more preparation. Put in all your efforts and try the next time.
Can I retake the OPRA exam?
YES! You can retake the test by reapplying for the OPRA exam again. The document evaluation or the eligibility check is not required this time.
How many times can I write the OPRA exam?
There is NO limit on the OPRA exam attempts.
Can I cancel the OPRA exam or OPRA exam cancellation?
You can request to cancel the exam and get a refund for any reason, with the approval of APC and comes with a cancellation fee. The refund amount depends on when you cancel your exam.
Check here for the refund policy: Candidate Refund Policy | Australian Pharmacy CouncilCan I reschedule the exam?
You can reschedule your exam in your Candidate Portal. You can reschedule it to another date and time only during the registration period.
What after passing the OPRA exam?
Passing or clearing the OPRA exam is just one step closer to migrating to Australia but does not give you the authority to practise in Australia yet. Here are the steps to be followed after passing the OPRA exam:
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Apply for EOI and apply for visa (Read more for visa options for Australia---link the blog)
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Migrate to Australia and apply for provisional registration
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Complete the internship hours (1575 hours)
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After completion of 75% of the intern hours you will be eligible to write the Australin Intern written and oral exam (Also read: link)
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Once you pass these exams register yourself and become a fully licensed pharmacist eligible to practise in Australia
Sample papers for OPRA exam:
A sample paper for the exam is available on the APC website, giving you an idea of the exam pattern and types of questions. It's always best to be well-prepared. So don’t forget to have a look.
Can I prepare OPRA exam on my own? Or can I prepare for OPRA exam by self-study
Self-study alone may not be sufficient for the OPRA exam for several reasons:
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Lack of Structured Guidance – Without expert guidance, candidates may struggle to understand the specific expectations of the exam, leading to gaps in preparation.
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Limited Feedback – OPRA assesses clinical decision-making and communication skills, which require real-time feedback. Self-study may not provide the opportunity for constructive criticism on performance.
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Time Management Challenges – The exam requires quick thinking and structured responses under time constraints. Without mock exams or professional training, candidates may find it difficult to manage time effectively.
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Uncertainty About Exam Format –Sample papers may not fully capture the complexity of real exam cases as the exam is intro. A structured course or coaching can offer deeper insights and practice sessions.
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Increased Chances of Failure – Without proper training and mock exams, candidates might miss key details that may need for retakes.
Why Choose Elite Expertise for OPRA Coaching?
Experienced Mentors:
The major reason to trust Elite Expertise is the trainers and Directors of Elite Expertise, Mr Arief Mohammad and Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu, who are real life pharmacists and their experience and all real-life scenarios flow into their teaching. Their teaching methodology is unique and make hard vast syllabus into smaller easily understandable concepts.
Interactive classes:
The classes are lively, engaging and interactive allowing the students understand better.
Recorded sessions:
Sometimes it is possible for various reasons that we could miss on a class, so these recorded sessions help us not missing a class and stay up-to-date and learn at your own pace.
Online class:
As the classes are online the travel time can be channelised to preparation and you could join us from any nook and corner of the world allowing great accessibility.
Curated Mocks test or sample tests:
Our trainers are experienced and understand the syllabus so well that they have curated the sample papers to be on parr with that of the real exam making it easy for you.
Unlimited access:
You will be provided with unlimited access until you pass the exam with a one-time fee.
Resources and material:
Various training materials and handout are given during the training period to make the journey easy for you.
Student counselling:
Its normal to panic or get stressed out just before the exam and our team is always here to help you and talk to you out of it so that you take your exam with confidence.
Conclusion
This blog is an attempt to put all the information pertaining to the OPRA exam in one place to make it easy for candidates aspiring for Australia, and we hope we have achieved that.
Yes! we do understand that the result is important but it’s the journey that drains you out, so trust Elite Expertise in the process and we can help you from the skills assessment guidance, to the OPRA exam preparation, and to the Intern oral and written exams preparation. At Elite Expertise we believe it’s the journey that you need to enjoy and the results will follow.