How can I move from India to Australia as a Pharmacist in 2025?

Discover why Australia is the top choice for pharmacists with high demand, great pay, work-life balance & PR pathways for a secure future.

Radhika

8/28/20253 min read

Key takeaways:

  • How to move to Australia from India due to high demand, attractive salaries, and permanent residency

  • The OPRA exam eligibility and syllabus for the study plan and materials

  • Elite Expertise offers mock exams, real-life case-based learning, mentorship, and high success rates.

How can I move from India to Australia as a Pharmacist in 2025?

Australia is ranked among the top 10 highest wage destinations for pharmacists with an average salary of AUD 80,000 per year. Australia also offers other benefits, such as visa perks, medical benefits, and overall industry exposure. This makes people choose this country as their home.

Why Australia for your pharmacy career? Here are some compelling reasons to make the switch:

  1. There is a high demand for pharmacists because of expanding healthcare systems and infrastructure due to new technologies.

  2. Attractive salaries depending on the experience and the area you will be working in. However, even an entry-level pharmacist can earn well.

  3. A good work-life balance provides flexible work hours and balance for personal life. Pharmacists can also choose from part-time, full-time, or locum positions.

  4. A promising career and visa option also attract pharmacists, as it is listed as a Skilled Occupation. This makes permanent residency possible.

What is OPRA Exam Eligibility?

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. Candidates must hold a pharmacy degree from a recognized institution that is:

  • Four-year degree course – BPharm, or a postgraduate degree, MPharm or PharmD

  • Must be registered in the home country, so that they are knowledgeable as an entry-level pharmacist

What is the Process to Become a Pharmacist in Australia?

If you want to check if you are eligible to practice pharmacy in Australia. Here is the plan for a pharmacist from India to Australia within 12 months:

  1. A BPharm degree or above is required to undergo the skill assessment process

  2. Submit documents to the Australian Pharmacy Council. If deemed comparable to an Australian pharmacy degree, you can proceed to the next step.

  3. Register for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA exam)

  4. Demonstrate English proficiency by taking a test (IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic)

  5. Once completed, apply for a visa and select the visa subclass (Skilled Independent Visa - Subclass 189, Skilled Nominated Visa - Subclass 190, Skilled Work Regional Visa - Subclass 491) appropriately. Along with this, there will be a criminal history check.

  6. Apply for the provisional registration with the AHPRA.

  7. After all the steps, search for an internship, which is a supervised practice.

  8. Once completed, take the Intern Oral and Written Exam.

  9. Register as a pharmacist in Australia and start looking for jobs.

What are the OPRA Exam Dates?

Check here for the OPRA exam dates 2025:

Check here for the latest OPRA exam 2026 dates:

What is the OPRA exam Syllabus?

The APC has outlined the syllabus in five components:

  • Biomedical science

  • Therapeutic care

  • Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

  • Toxicology and pharmacology

  • Clinical practice care

Key study resources
  • Australian Medicine Handbook

  • Therapeutic guideline

  • APC sample papers on the official website

  • Mock tests

The OPRA exam tests three cognitive levels:
  • Recall (55%): Remembering facts and concepts.

  • Understanding (30%): Explaining principles or categorizing information.

  • Application (15%): Solving problems using learned concepts.

  • Allocate your study plan according to your strengths and weaknesses.

Elite Expertise also offers customised OPRA exam preparation courses. These courses are taught by registered pharmacists in Australia who have 10+ years of industry experience.

Why choose Elite Expertise for the OPRA exam coaching?

At Elite Expertise, we go beyond the books and teach students the practical aspects of Australian healthcare. We prepare them for the future by considering real-life case scenarios. Elite Expertise coaching about student success. Here is why:

Mock tests customised to a real exam environment

  • Mentorship access and guidance.

  • A supportive community to answer all your queries

  • Live coaching with recorded sessions and study material access

  • Elite course success rate and trusted resource

Conclusion

You can become a pharmacist abroad by fulfilling all the criteria carefully, such as taking the licensure exams and completing supervised internships. Although the process might be daunting and lengthy, the rewards are equally enriching, and you can have a successful career in pharmacy.

As Australia becomes one of the top destinations, you will also require the right guidance for your career journey. This is where Elite Expertise can help by providing personalised resources and mentorship.

About the Author

Radhika

Content Writer | Elite Expertise

Radhika loves all things content! With a Master's in English Literature and over 4 years of experience in digital strategies. She specializes in creating engaging content across diverse industries - including healthcare, technology, and e-commerce - always writing content that connects to its readers.

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