Key Takeaways
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OPRA is accepted for pharmacist registration pathways in both Australia and New Zealand.
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The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) develops and delivers the OPRA examination.
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Australia and New Zealand use the same OPRA exam to assess pharmacy knowledge.
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The registration, internship, and licensing pathways differ between the two countries.
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Australia links OPRA to the APC Knowledge Stream and registration through AHPRA.
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New Zealand links OPRA to the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) Non-REQR pathway and requires additional registration steps, including the NZ Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) course.
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The OPRA exam currently costs AU$2,245 per attempt and consists of 120 computer-based questions completed in 2.5 hours.
Quick Summary
OPRA Exam is used in pharmacist registration pathways for both Australia and New Zealand. So if you pass the OPRA exam, it supports the pharmacist registration pathway in both countries, but candidates must complete each country's separate registration requirements. The Australian Pharmacy Council runs this exam. In this exam, candidates are tested to meet the pharmacy knowledge standard for the country. Both countries share the same format, running for 2.5 hours with 120 questions at AU$2,245 per attempt.
Yes, OPRA is valid for both Australia and New Zealand. It is the shared knowledge exam for overseas-trained pharmacists in both countries. But the exam sits inside two different registration pathways. This blog explains how OPRA works for each country. It also shows where the two pathways separate after the exam.
What is OPRA, and Who Runs It?
The OPRA exam happens for two countries. Australia and New Zealand. It stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It is a computer-based exam. The purpose of the exam is to test whether candidates meet the expected pharmacy knowledge standard before progressing through their respective registration pathways.
The Australian Pharmacy Council runs OPRA on behalf of the Pharmacy Board of Australia. This exam is also developed and delivered by the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Is OPRA Accepted in Both Australia and New Zealand?
Yes, it is accepted in both countries. In Australia, OPRA supports the APC Knowledge Stream skills assessment. The New Zealand OPRA supports the PCNZ Non-REQR registration pathway. While the examination itself is the same, each country has its own registration process.
| Feature | Australia OPRA | New Zealand OPRA |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Pathway | Knowledge Stream | Non-REQR Pathway |
| Delivered By | Australian Pharmacy Council | Australian Pharmacy Council |
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Questions | 120 | 120 |
| Cost (Per Attempt) | AU$2,245 | AU$2,245 |
| Registration Authority | Pharmacy Board of Australia | Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) |
How does the Pathway Differ Between Australia and New Zealand?
Although Australia and New Zealand use the same OPRA examination, the registration process after the exam is different.
Australia requires candidates to complete the APC Knowledge Stream before progressing to supervised practice and registration through AHPRA. New Zealand follows the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand's Non-REQR pathway, which includes additional legislation training and registration requirements.
The main differences are shown below.
| Step | Australia Pathway | New Zealand Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| First Step | APC Eligibility Check | PCNZ Preliminary Review approval |
| Knowledge Assessment | OPRA | OPRA |
| Pharmacy Legislation Course | Not required | NZPL (NZ Pharmacy Legislation Course) |
| Practical Training | Supervised internship + intern written exam and oral exam | Intern Training Program + Assessment Center Exam |
| Final Outcome | General registration with AHPRA | Full registration with PCNZ |
What are the OPRA Exam Fees and Format?
For both Australia and New Zealand, OPRA cost AU$2,245 per attempt. This fee only covers the exam itself, not related assessment steps. The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours and includes 120 questions. The exam is closed-book and delivered on a computer at Pearson VUE centers. Australia's pathway also includes a separate Eligibility Check step beforehand.
| Cost Item | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| OPRA Exam Fee | AU$2,245 per attempt | AU$2,245 per attempt |
| Eligibility Check / Preliminary Review | Required before booking OPRA | Required before booking OPRA |
| Attempts Allowed | No fixed attempt | Maximum 2 attempts, per PCNZ |
What Additional Steps Does New Zealand Require After OPRA?
Passing OPRA is not the final step for New Zealand candidates. PCNZ also requires the New Zealand Pharmacy Legislation Course, or NZPL. The University of Auckland runs this course on behalf of PCNZ. It covers legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities for NZ practice. You may sit OPRA and NZPL in any order you choose. Both, however, must be completed within two years of approval.
After both exams, candidates register as an intern pharmacist with PCNZ. They then complete the Intern Training Program and a final Assessment Center exam. Only after this can a candidate gain full NZ registration.
What are the Upcoming OPRA Exam Dates?
APC publishes OPRA exam windows for both Australia and New Zealand streams. The table below shows the confirmed New Zealand OPRA schedule for 2026.
| Registration Period | Exam Dates | Results Released |
|---|---|---|
| 28 April – 15 June 2026 | 13–15 July 2026 | 11 August 2026 |
| 18 August – 19 October 2026 | 23–25 November 2026 | 22 December 2026 |
How do You Register for the OPRA Exam?
Registration steps differ slightly depending on your target country. For Australia, you first complete the APC Eligibility Check application online. For New Zealand, you first need PCNZ Preliminary Review approval by email. Once approved, APC confirms your eligibility to book the OPRA exam. You then register and pay through the APC Candidate Portal directly.
Registrations usually open and close on fixed dates each session. Late registrations are not accepted under any circumstances by APC. It is wise to book early, since some test centers fill quickly.
Can a Pass in One Country's OPRA Be Used in the Other?
Since Australia and New Zealand use the same OPRA examination, candidates do not need to sit separate OPRA exams for each country.
However, passing OPRA alone does not automatically qualify you for pharmacist registration in both countries.
Each country has its own registration authority and licensing requirements after the examination.
For Australia, candidates continue through the APC Knowledge Stream before applying for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through AHPRA.
For New Zealand, candidates have to continue via the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand, Non-REQR pathway. It includes additional requirements like
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New Zealand Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) course
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Register for Intern Pharmacist
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Complete Intern Training Program
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The Assessment Center examination
Therefore, while the OPRA examination is accepted by both countries, candidates must still meet the registration requirements of the country in which they intend to practice.
Who Needs to Sit the OPRA Exam at All?
OPRA is generally required for pharmacists trained outside a recognized country list. For Australia, this list includes Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. Pharmacists from these countries usually follow a different, simpler pathway. Everyone else typically falls under the Knowledge Stream and sits on OPRA.
For New Zealand, OPRA applies to candidates using the Non-REQR pathway. This pathway is for overseas pharmacists outside Australia, Canada, the USA, the UK, or Ireland.
What Happens if You Do Not Pass OPRA?
For the New Zealand OPRA, PCNZ allows a maximum of two attempts. Further attempts beyond that are only at PCNZ's discretion. And for Australia, there is an official limit on the number of attempts. APC does not release detailed scores or personal feedback to candidates. It only confirms whether you passed or were unsuccessful overall. To know about exam date updates, always check the official website.