Steps to Become Pharmacist in Australia

Australia provides the best pharmacy career opportunities with a good package and lifestyle. Therefore, many people around the globe have a dream to be a part of the pharmacy profession in Australia. Are you one of them? If yes, then it is necessary that you must know about the legal ways to become a pharmacist in Australia. In this article, we will see this in detail. So, let’s start. 

Complete Guide to Becoming a Pharmacist in Australia

Are you ready to start your journey as an international pharmacist to become a registered pharmacist in Australia? Here are the steps that we are providing by researching the official website. Let’s dig in. 

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Pharmacy Qualification

Your first step starts with the pharmacy degree, which must meet Australian registration standards.

See, if you studied pharmacy in Australia, then you must complete an approved Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy. And if you have your pharmacy outside Australia, then your qualification will be checked by the Australian Pharmacy Council. The APC verifies whether your education is substantially equivalent to Australian pharmacy education.

Without an approved pharmacy qualification, you cannot continue with the registration process.

Step 2: Apply for an APC Skills Assessment

International pharmacy graduates must apply for an APC Skills Assessment. The skills assessment is conducted to determine your eligibility for registration as a pharmacist in Australia.

Applicants should ensure all documents meet APC certification and translation requirements before submission. Here in below, we have prepared the documents list that is required for the international pharmacist. 

Documents commonly required

The APC will notify applicants after completing the assessment.

Step 3: Pass the OPRA Examination

OPRA stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. For the international pharmacist, passing this exam is essential to becoming a pharmacist in Australia. 

In 2025, the OPRA exam replaced the KAPS exam. In this exam, it is tested whether international pharmacy graduates have the necessary competence to practice pharmacy in Australia.

Passing the OPRA examination allows candidates to progress towards registration.

Step 4. Meet the English Language Requirements

After passing OPRA Every pharmacist must demonstrate English language proficiency before registration.

The Pharmacy Board of Australia accepts approved English language pathways. Many international candidates satisfy this requirement through recognized English language examinations.

Applicants should review the latest English language registration standard before applying.

Always check current score requirements before booking your examination.

Step 5: Apply for Provisional Registration with AHPRA

See, when you complete your required APC requirements, only then can you apply for provisional registration.

Provisional registration allows graduates to begin supervised pharmacy practice while completing the remaining registration requirements.

In addition, applicants must meet identity, qualification, English language, and criminal history requirements before they can be granted provisional registration. It is the responsibility of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) to receive applications for registration.

Information required during application

• Identity documents

• Qualification evidence

• APC eligibility documentation

• English language evidence

• Criminal history declaration

Step 6: Complete Your Internship and Training Program

After provisional registration, you can go for the supervised internship year. Here, interns have to work under a registered pharmacist. We have provided important information in the table for better understanding. Please check it out. 

Step 7: Pass the Intern Written and Intern Oral Exam

Before achieving full registration, the intern is required to pass the examinations conducted by the Pharmacy Board. The examinations are a mandatory step that certifies that the candidate has sufficient knowledge and skills to practice pharmacy independently. The candidate has to pass the intern written and intern oral practice examinations before registering as a qualified pharmacist. Passing the examinations opens the door to general registration for the intern in the country.

Step 8: Apply for General Registration

After successfully completing all registration requirements, pharmacists may apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

General registration permits pharmacists to practice independently in all parts of Australia, subject to the conditions of registration.

See, if you become a registered pharmacist in Australia, then every year you have to renewal of registration to continue.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the process for an international pharmacist to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. 

• You must have a pharmacy degree that meets the Australian Pharmacy standard.

• International pharmacists have to take a positive APC Skills Assessment before progressing.

• The English language requirements are compulsory for pharmacist registration.

• Passing the OPRA exam is a must for the international pharmacist to go further in the registration process. 

• Provisional registration with Ahpra allows candidates to begin supervised internship training.

• Completing an approved internship develops practical skills required for independent pharmacy practice.

• Candidates must pass both the Intern Written and Intern Oral examinations.

• After passing the intern written and oral exam, you can go for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.