How to Become a Pharmacist in Australia for International Students: A Complete Guide

As an international student, becoming a pharmacist in Australia is a goal that is both structured and attainable. You can become a registered pharmacist in Australia by passing the eligibility check and OPRA exam and then obtaining provisional registration. Once you pass the Australian pharmacist intern written and Oral exams, after finishing supervised practice you will be registered as a pharmacist in Australia. International pharmacy graduates can have a rewarding career in Australia's healthcare system with commitment, diligence, and careful planning.

Arief Mohammad

1/21/20254 min read

Do you wish to study pharmacy in Australia as an international student? Are you a pharmacist in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or any other non-Australian nation? If you want to work as a pharmacist in Australia, you need to be aware of this. "Australia" is one of the ideal nations for foreign pharmacists. Although it involves navigating a structured process, becoming a pharmacist in Australia as an international student is a rewarding journey. This blog would help you understand the steps involved in becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia if you earned your pharmacy degree outside of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the USA.

Step 1: Verification of Eligibility

To find out if your foreign pharmacy degree satisfies Australian requirements, the first step in the procedure is to finish an eligibility check. You must make sure that your pharmacy degree is equivalent to four years of full-time academic study in the field if you earned it in a nation other than those listed (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA).

Documents Needed to Verify Eligibility:

Evidence of your academic records and pharmacy qualification.

If applicable, provide proof of your work experience.

additional records that the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) requires.

Procedure for Eligibility Checks:

Access the Candidate Portal by logging in: To begin, register for an account.

Upload your documnets: Upload the necessary files to prove your eligibility.

Fee: The cost of the eligibility check is AUD 810.

Be sure to use a credit or debit card that was issued by a bank in your home country when making your online payment.

Processing Time: It usually takes eight to twelve weeks to complete the eligibility check. Inaccurate information in your application may result in processing delays.

Step 2: The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment, or OPRA Exam

The OPRA exam is the next step after passing the eligibility check. The purpose of this computer-based test is to assess your knowledge and comprehension of the clinical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences that are pertinent to pharmacy practice in Australia.

What Makes the OPRA Exam Crucial?

Internationally trained pharmacists are guaranteed to meet Australian pharmacy standards by passing the OPRA exam. To apply for provisional registration as an intern pharmacist, you must pass the OPRA exam.

OPRA Exam format:

Time frame: two and a half hours

There are 120 multiple-choice questions in all.

Fee: AUD $2190

OPRA exam Syllabus:

Medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics: 10%;

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: 10%;

Biomedical sciences: 20%;

Pharmacology and toxicology: 15%;

Patient care and therapeutics: 45%

Results and Scoring:

A scaled scoring system is used in the OPRA exam. The minimal score needed for provisional registration is reflected in the passing score. The remaining 10% of the questions are included for calibration purposes only and have no bearing on your score; only 90% of the questions are scored.

Questions Not Scored:

Which questions are scored, and which are not will be unknown to you. All of the questions, though, are dispersed equally among the five subject areas.

Step 3: Submit a Provisional Registration Application

You can apply for temporary registration or provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PharmBA) after passing the OPRA exam. You can start your supervised practice as an intern pharmacist with provisional registration.

Steps for Temporary Registration:

Apply Online: Fill out the PharmBA website's online application.

Create a Practice Environment Under Supervision: In order to complete your supervised practice under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, you must locate a pharmacy.

Send PharmBA the documentation: Once your supervised practice environment has been secured, send in the necessary paperwork for approval.

Await approval: You can begin your supervised practice as soon as you are approved.

Step 4: Practice Under Supervision

An essential component of the procedure is supervised practice. As a pharmacy intern, you will obtain hands-on experience in pharmacy practice while working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. The experience aids in the development of the abilities required to obtain full registration as a pharmacist in Australia.

Important Note: Make sure your practice setting has been approved by PharmBA before starting your supervised practice. Until your registration and setting are confirmed, you cannot begin working as an intern.

Step 5: Exams for Board Registration

You will be required to take the written and oral exams for the internship after completing seventy-five percent of the required supervised practice hours. These tests evaluate your preparedness to work in Australia as a fully licensed pharmacist.

  • PharmBA conducted the oral exam for the Australian intern.

You can apply for general registration as a pharmacist after passing these tests.

Step 6: Complete Pharmacist Registration

Following your successful completion of your supervised practice and Australian Intern written and Oral exams, PharmBA will grant you general registration as a pharmacist. You can now operate as a fully licensed pharmacist in Australia and offer the general public necessary pharmacy services.

Locating a Practice Environment Under Supervision

It can be difficult to find an appropriate supervised practice environment, but there are a few strategies to try:

  • Make connections with trade associations and professional associations.

  • To find out about opportunities, get in touch with pharmacy businesses directly.

  • Make use of your professional or personal connections in the healthcare sector.

  • For additional information on locating a suitable placement for supervised practice, get in touch with Aphra.

Conclusion

As an international student, becoming a pharmacist in Australia is a goal that is both structured and attainable. You can become a registered pharmacist in Australia by passing the eligibility check and OPRA exam and then obtaining provisional registration. Once you pass the Australian pharmacist intern written and Oral exams, after finishing supervised practice you will be registered as a pharmacist in Australia. International pharmacy graduates can have a rewarding career in Australia's healthcare system with commitment, diligence, and careful planning.

For those who are dedicated to meeting Australian standards and have a strong passion for pharmacy, the seemingly lengthy journey is well worth it.