How to Apply for OPRA Exam Australia in 2025: Your complete Guide

Australia continues to be one of the top destinations for pharmacists globally. The country offers a top-notch healthcare system, competitive salaries, and a growing demand for skilled professionals and international pharmacy graduates. If you are an overseas pharmacist who is planning to migrate to Australia, passing the OPRA exam is a crucial step. The OPRA exam is known as the Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) Exam, previously known as KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Science) is the primary step of the registration process. The KAPS Exam was replaced with the OPRA exam from March 2025.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the entire OPRA Exam application process, eligibility, criteria, important documents, fees, timeline, and expert tips to help you successfully apply and pass the OPRA Exam.

What is the OPRA Exam? Conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment Examination is a computer-based exam that is an official licensure exam for internationally trained pharmacists who wish to practice in Australia and start the registration process.

Conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), the OPRA Exam evaluates whether your skills, knowledge, and clinical competencies meet Australian Standards for pharmacy practice. It focuses on real-world pharmacy scenarios, testing not just what you know, but how you apply it in clinical and community settings

• The OPRA exam is a computer-delivered, multiple-choice question exam consisting of 120 questions and lasting 2.5 hours.

• Candidates can reschedule their OPRA exam during the registration period, but must do so through the Candidate Portal.

• Out of the 120 questions in the OPRA exam, 90% are scored and contribute to the result, while 10% are unscored and used for testing purposes.

• The OPRA exam uses a scaled scoring system where passing depends on overall performance across the entire exam.

Why is the OPRA Important for overseas pharmacists?

If you are a foreign-trained pharmacist, passing the OPRA exam is a mandatory step towards becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. It is essential for:

• Registering with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)

• To start a supervised internship

• First step of achieving full pharmacist registration

• For evaluating the knowledge that will help in practicing safely and legally in Australia

The OPRA Exam replaces the older KAPS exam pathway and represents a shift towards a more practical, outcome-based approach aligned with Australia’s modern healthcare system

Who should apply for the OPRA Exam? What is the recognized pharmacy degree?

How to Apply for OPRA Exam Australia: A step-by-step explanation

Step 1: Skills Assessment by the APC (Australian Pharmacy Council )

Before you apply for the OPRA Exam, the Australian Pharmacy Council needs to verify your pharmacy qualifications.

Eligibility requirement for knowledge stream - Documents required are:

• Pharmacy degree certificate (B. Pharm, M. Pharm or PharmD)

• Academic transcripts with subject-wise marks of he pharmacy degree

• Proof of internship or clinical training

• Proof of registration in the home country as a registered pharmacist

• Passport bio page

You will need to submit both original and English-translated documents for your Eligibility Check.

Full registration fee for skills assessment: AUD 810.00 (2025 rate)

Processing time is 6-12 weeks. The timeframe for processing the Eligibility Check is up to 4 weeks under unforeseen circumstances. If incorrect data is provided, the assessment process may take longer than usual. Candidates should have an idea about the registration closing dates

Once approved, candidates will receive a skills assessment letter to move forward with the application to attempt the OPRA Exam. Thus, the skills assessment process is finished

Step 2: Apply for the OPRA Exam (overseas pharmacist readiness assessment)

After the Eligibility assessment:

• Internationally qualified pharmacists should log in to the APC candidate portal

• Choose an upcoming OPRA Exam window-they will display the next exam period, registration deadline, and more

• Complete the application form

• Upload supporting documents if needed

• Candidates must pay a registration fee of AU$2,190 to sit for the OPRA exam.

• Select the preferred alternative test centre and date (available internationally)

Step 3: Prepare for the OPRA Exam

OPRA is a computer-based, single-paper exam that tests three core domains. Preparation for the OPRA exam requires a comprehensive understanding of the exam's structure and content distribution.

Preparation time: 3-6 months, depending on your background

Results of the OPRA exam will state if candidates passed or failed, with no further details provided.

Resources to use:

• APC sample papers and blueprints

• OPRA-Focused preparation courses-Like the Comprehensive OPRA Preparation course from Elite Expertise

• Clinical pharmacy textbooks

• National Guideline (E.G, Australian Medicines Handbook)

Step 4: Take the OPRA Exam & Receive a Skills assessment outcome

• Conducted in secure test centers worldwide (Pearson VUE or similar)

• Duration: 2.5 hours

• Exam format: case-based MCQs, scenario questions, and skills-based analysis

• Candidates must upload a passport-size photo during the registration process for the OPRA exam.

• Exam score timeline: usually within 4-6 weeks after the exam window closes

• Once candidates pass the OPRA exam, they receive a Skills Assessment Outcome letter from APC that is crucial for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

• You must pay the Skills Assessment Outcome fee, which is AU$300.

Step 5: Apply for an Internship and Provisional registration

After successfully completing the OPRA Exam:

• Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with the skills assessment outcome letter before becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia

• Secure an internship position in a hospital or community pharmacy for internationally trained pharmacists

• Candidates should appear for the English proficiency test, such as PTE, IELTS, OET, etc

• Enroll in a recognized Intern Training program (ITP) for overseas qualified pharmacists

• Complete the desired hours of supervised practice

• Pass the Intern written Exam and Oral Exam (Conducted by AHPRA and APC), which is crucial for becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia

Once all steps are completed, you will be eligible for general registration and can begin working as a fully licensed pharmacist in Australia

Pharmacist registration process in Australia

The pharmacy registration process in Australia begins with an eligibility check conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). The eligibility check does not expire once completed, providing enduring confirmation of eligibility. You must be registered as a pharmacist, eligible to register, or eligible to start the registration process in the country where you graduated as an international pharmacist.

The Skills Assessment Outcome is necessary for both provisional registration and to support a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. To be eligible for provisional registration, candidates must have a valid visa for Australia.

OPRA Exam Dates & Application Deadlines

Expert Tips to Maximize Your Success

1. Start preparing early, at least 4 months before your chosen exam cycle

2. Join study groups or online courses with other OPRA Candidates

3. Invest in quality study materials, preferably Australian clinical resources

4. Consider the OPRA coaching programs if you are unsure about the OPRA Pattern

5. Stay updated with the APC guidelines, law changes, and healthcare regulations

Conclusion:

The OPRA exam opens the door to a lucrative and fulfilling pharmacy career in Australia. With a clear understanding of the process, the right study strategy, and timely preparation, you can confidently achieve your Australian pharmacist registration goals.

About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Content Writer | Elite Expertise

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

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