How to Find an Internship as an Intern Pharmacist After KAPS or OPRA in Australia

Becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia as an internationally qualified candidate is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and preparation. After successfully clearing the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment) exam or KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Science) exam, the next crucial step is completing the internship. This phase will give you hands-on experience under supervision and prepare you for independent pharmacy practice.

But how do you find the right internship opportunity in Australia? In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know, from eligibility requirements and the application process to top employers, and career tips to land your pharmacy internship successfully.

Let’s understand the role of the internship in the registration pathway: Key takeaways for pharmacy practice

Once you pass either the KAPS or OPRA exam, you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA). This makes you eligible to work under supervision in a pharmacy setting as an intern pharmacist. Pharmacy Intern hours are typically of 1575 hours (approximately one year) which should be completed under a fully registered pharmacist.

Your internship is not just a formality. It is an essential part of your learning, and practice pharmacy where you:

• Apply theoretical knowledge to real-life pharmacy practice

• Build your clinical and communication skills

• Learn regulatory, legal and ethical aspects of pharmacy in Australia.

• Prepare for the Australian Intern Written and Oral Exam

What are the Eligibility criteria to start your internship and practice in Australia?

Before you start to apply for intern roles, make sure you meet the following criteria:

Step 1: Pass OPRA exam (KAPS exam is replaced by OPRA Exam from March 2025)

• Candidates must have successfully cleared either KAPS or OPRA Exam. these exams are conducted by Australian Pharmacy council This exam is a key licensure exam for practicing as an intern in Australia and New Zealand.

• Applicants who hold an internationally trained, 4-year pharmacy degree, and active registration at the home country as a licensed pharmacist are eligible to attempt this exam.

Step 2: Complete English Language exam Proficiency:

Applicants must meet the AHPRA English language requirements through:

• OET : minimum Grade B in Reading, listening and speaking & C in writing

• IELTS: minimum 7 band each module

• PTE: 66 in Reading, Listening and Speaking & 56 in Writing

Result should be recent and typically within the last 2 years

Step 3: Get provisional registration with AHPRA

• Apply for provisional registration via AHPRA portal.

• This will allow the candidates to legally start practicing as an intern in Australia.

• Police clearance and good standing certificate is mandatory for the provisional registration

How to find Internship opportunities as an Intern Pharmacist and grow pharmacy career?

Hospital Pharmacy internship

Hospital internships are structured and offer diverse clinical exposure. Some popular hospitals that regularly recruit intern pharmacists include:

• Royal Brisbane and women’s Hospital (Queensland)

• The Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospital (Victoria)

• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (New South wales)

• Fiona Stanley hospital (Western Australia) and many more

Application timeline: hospital internships are competitive and often open between May and August for the following year’s intake.

Visit individual state health websites or apply via Pharmacy intern recruitment portals like South Australia Pharmacy, Queensland Health, NSW Health

Community Pharmacies

These offer flexible roles and patient interaction in real-world retail settings. Some top community pharmacy chain includes:

• Chemist warehouse-Australia's largest retail pharmacy dealer

• TerryWhite Chemmart

• Priceline Pharmacy

• Amcal

• Start pharmacy

• Discount Pharmacy

• Other standalone pharmacies

How to apply:

• Use their career page on official websites-Major pharmacies in Australia may not post job listings on online platforms but may have them on their own websites You will need sponsorship to be eligible to work in Australia initially.

  Walk into local pharmacies with your resume

• Use online job portals like seek, indeed, jora and LinkedIn jobs

• Get referral jobs from the employees already working

Pro tip: regional and rural areas are often offering placements and have a higher acceptance rate or may offer sponsorship visas for overseas trained pharmacists

Employers in regional areas offer candidates jobs along with relocation benefits and probably other benefits such as housing aligned with national competency standards framework

The demand for pharmacists is quite high in regional areas of Australia due to fewer applicants. Most OPRA cleared candidates go for the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. You can opt for a 489 Regional visa if you are ready to work in regional areas of Australia.

You must ensure that the employer you are applying with falls under the category of Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) for sponsorship

Intern Training Program (ITPs) and placement support

Interns must enroll in an intern training program (ITP) accredited by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. These providers sometime help with placements:

• PSA (Pharmaceutical society of AUstralia)

• Guild Intern Training

• Monash University

• University of Sydney

These programs combine online course work, workshops, and exam preparation to support your internship journey.

What are the documents required for internship applications for intern pharmacist in Australia?

The internship experience must include appropriate supervised practice that meets all the eligibility criteria for general registration.

What are the tips to land your internship faster? Finding internship opportunites for pharmacists in Australia

Several pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies in Australia are often on the lookout for interns.

A one-year internship is mandatory to get unrestricted registration in Australia after passing the OPRA exam. You can apply to thousands of pharmacy jobs in Australia on portals like Seek, Indeed, and Glassdoor

• Apply early: the first step is to start applying at least 6 months in advance. Most internships are filled quickly, especially in major cities

• Follow Up: After submitting your application, follow up with an email or call within a week

• Practice interviews: Be ready and well prepared with scenario based questions and a communication skills assessment

• Be flexible with locations: accepting roles in rural or regional areas may increase the chance

• Network with pharmacists: attend or participate local pharmacy event, webinars or join pharmacy Facebook/Link din groups for assistance

• Tailor your resume: Avoid generic templates, highlight relevant skills and achievements, and your commitment to Australian standards

What happens after an internship?

Upon completing the ITPs, and internship, it is a major milestone., but not the final step. To become a fully registered pharmacist, applicants must meet few key requirements:

• Pass the Australian intern written and oral exam

• Apply for General registration with AHPRA

• Work as a fully registered pharmacist in Australia with a large number of job opportunities

Need help with the Intern Written and Oral exam? Elite Expertise can guide you

Preparing for a high stake exam day can be overwhelming. But Elite Expertise offers you a structured training, expert advice , details regarding required documents, support and confidence needed to succeed

Why choose Elite Expertise?

Elite expertise is a trusted institute for internationally qualified pharmacists aiming to build careers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. Our courses are designed specifically for overseas pharmacists for careful planning to bridge knowledge gaps and succeed in regulatory assessment and the registration process for visa options

What we offer:

For Australian Intern written Exam:

• Updated clinical content aligned with Pharmacy Board of Australia

• Timed mock exams and practice sessions

• Focus on patient safety, calculations and case-study based scenario

For Australian Intern Oral exam:

• Role-play simulations based on real AHPRA oral stations scenarios

• Communication building skills and case interpretations

• Legal, ethical and clinical problem skills development

Meet our lead educators:

Mr. Arief Mohammad: accredited consultant clinical pharmacist in Melbourne

A highly-respected clinical educator with a successful pharmacy career, with extensive experience training overseas pharmacists for Australian licensure exams

Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu: Accredited clinical consultant pharmacist in Melbourne

A dedicated Australian pharmacist with high expertise in simplifying complex topics and calculations.

Final Thoughts:

Securing an internship as an Intern Pharmacist in Australia after passing the KAPS/OPRA exam is your gateway to becoming a fully registered pharmacist. Whether you choose a hospital or community setting, being proactive, prepared and fully flexible will help you find the right opportunity.

Australia offers a wealth of professional and personal growth for pharmacists in their pharmacy career, and your internship is just the beginning of that rewarding journey

This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content provided reflects current guidelines, visa pathways, and pharmacist registration processes in Australia as of June 2025. Regulatory requirements, internship eligibility, and employment procedures are subject to change by official bodies such as the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), the Pharmacy Board of Australia (Ahpra), and the Department of Home Affairs. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Elite Expertise does not offer legal or immigration advice but provides academic preparation and professional support for internationally qualified pharmacists.

⚠️ Disclaimer

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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