How to Become a Registered Pharmacist in Australia: Step-by-Step Guide for International Graduates

Key Takeaways

• Skill assessment certification by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is the first crucial step.

• Passing the OPRA exam and demonstrating English proficiency are essential for registration.

• Completing a supervised internship and passing written and oral competency exams lead to full registration.

• Elite Expertise offers comprehensive training and study support tailored for this journey.

To summarise, the above steps are the structured process that one must follow to be registered as a pharmacist in Australia. The above step’s outline involves the skill assessment, OPRA exam, English requirements, internships, competence exams, and a description of how Elite Expertise will help candidates through the journey.

Skill Assessment Certification by APC

Qualification Assessment

To start your journey, you must get your pharmacy qualifications assessed by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). This involves:

• Submitting your degree, transcripts, registration certificates, and other documents on the APC candidate portal.

• Waiting for the documented qualification evaluation, which typically takes 8-12 weeks.

• Receiving a positive skill assessment outcome that qualifies you to attempt the OPRA exam.

Elite Expertise offers expert guidance on preparing documentation and navigating this APC skill assessment process to enhance your success rate.

OPRA Exam

About the OPRA Exam

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is the latest knowledge test replacing the former KAPS exam from March 2025. It assesses:

• Biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences necessary to practice pharmacy in Australia.

• The OPRA examination consists of a 120-question computer-based written test that must be taken within 150 minutes.

With more than 300 lectures, mock exams, and personal mentoring sessions with local faculties of Elite, they deliver expert OPRA examination courses to pass the registration test.

Australian Pharmacist English Language Proficiency: Requirements

International students must show that they know English by passing tests that are allowed, like:

• IELTS Academic, with a score of at least 7 in each subject.

• You need to get at least a 65 on the PTE Academic test and at least a 65 in each communication skill.

Elite Expertise also provides clear instructions and practice resources for English proficiency examinations to help international pharmacists satisfy this requirement.

Internship and Supervised Practice: Completing the Internship

Next steps after successfully passing the OPRA exam and being found proficient with the English language.

• Internship or supervised practice in Australia with a registered pharmacist as your preceptor

• Internship hours: Most states require 1575 hours of practice, and those should be guided by an Australian pharmacist.

• Gain practical experience from pharmacy settings in Australia: hands-on application of knowledge

Elite Expertise helps its candidates with understanding of the internship task and preparing for it, sourcing for relevant preceptors and providing a seamless pathway to relevant internship opportunities.

Competency Examination: Intern Oral and Written Exams

Lastly, at some point during or after your internship:

• Complete an intern written exam, which will test your knowledge of pharmacy law, ethics, and clinically-based information.

• Sit an oral exam that measures your communication skills, counselling ability, and professionalism.

Passing both exams thus results in general registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. This registration permits you to undertake pharmacy as a registered pharmacist.

About Elite Expertise

Elite Expertise is a leading specialized training provider for pharmacy licensing exams in Australia. With trainers who are practicing clinical pharmacists in Melbourne, Elite offers:

• Structured, easy-to-use online courses for students that include live classes and recordings.

• Individualized support with the OPRA exam, English skills, and getting ready for an internship.

• A lot of books, practice tests, and one-on-one help.

• A track record of assisting international pharmacists register and work in Australia successfully.

Recognized widely, Elite Expertise is a trusted partner for many pharmacy graduates pursuing registration in Australia.

Conclusion

While the process of registration as a pharmacist in Australia is detailed, with proper guidance, it is fully manageable. Every step, starting with APC skill assessment and the OPRA exam to English tests and competency exams after the internship, is aimed at enhancing your preparedness to start professional practice. International graduates can benefit from guidance by Elite Expertise and confidently complete each stage to finally begin a successful pharmacy career in Australia.