Are you an overseas pharmacist looking to work or practice in Australia?
The first step to starting a pharmacy career in Australia is the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam. This guide presents all the necessary details regarding the OPRA exam, including eligibility requirements, the exam format, preparation strategies, and exam tips that will be highly essential.
What is the OPRA exam?
An OPRA exam is a computer-based test that tries to examine a candidate’s knowledge of pharmacy practice in Australia. It evaluates the readiness of overseas pharmacists to work in the Australian healthcare system.
OPRA Exam Format
- Total questions: 120 multiple-choice questions
- Exam duration: 2.5 hours
- Scoring: Rasch methodology for pass/fail results.
Candidates should do the following before taking the OPRA exam
- Apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for an eligibility check.
2. Submit the Required Documents—This includes:
- Bachelor's degree.
- The academic transcripts.
- Pharmacy registration certificate in your home country.
- Any other relevant documents if required
OPRA Exam Preparation
Proper OPRA exam preparation determines the degree of success. Here are ways to achieve it:
- OPRA Exam Preparation Course—full-fledged assistance from expert tutors.
- Online Classes and Recordings—learn from anywhere, with easy access to lectures conducted by experts.
- E - learning—Utilise online resources like handouts, mocks, lectures, and so on for structured learning anytime.
- Mock Exams—practice under the real exam scenario with speed and accuracy in mind.
Exam Day Essentials
Keep in mind the security checks —be prepared according to the standard security protocols mentioned in APC.
Avoid bringing prohibited items to the exam centre —personal items such as phones and bags need to be kept in their assigned lockers.
Important Update
The OPRA exam was replaced by the KAPS exam in March 2025. This means overseas pharmacists competency and skills will be assessed using a new methodology in order to work in Australia.
OPRA Exam Tips for Success
- Answer every question —don’t leave any question unanswered.
- Manage your time accordingly—if a question takes more than 2 minutes, flag it and return later.
- Trust your preparation—Your first answer is often correct if you’ve read carefully.
- Always remember the scoring system—keep the RASCH methodology in mind. Be strategic with your answers.
- Revise until the last minute—frequently, the first 15 questions are from last-minute revisions!
- Don’t postpone calculations—calculations should be completed as soon as they appear on the screen.
Conclusion
The OPRA exam must be passed by international pharmacists who want to work in Australia. This computer-based test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 2.5 hours. The Rasch methodology will be used to grade the test.
Candidates must submit the required paperwork and finish the AHPRA eligibility check in order to be eligible for the OPRA exam.