M.Pharm in Australia vs OPRA Pathway: Best Route to Become a Pharmacist in 2025

Dreaming of becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia but confused about which route to take? You're not alone. Thousands of pharmacy graduates across the globe find themselves stuck between two major options: pursuing an M.Pharm degree in Australia or qualifying through the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) pathway.

Both paths can lead you to the same destination — a successful pharmacy career in Australia — but they differ greatly in terms of cost, timeline, eligibility, and long-term benefits. Whether you're aiming for a faster route or a more academic one, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to make the right choice based on your career goals, budget, and timeline.

Read on as we compare the M.Pharm vs OPRA pathway to help you make an informed, future-proof decision.

Pathway 1: Pursuing An M.Pharm Degree In Australia

An M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) is a postgraduate degree that provides additional and advanced education in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, and patient care.

This career route is an ideal one for pharmacy graduates who wish to pursue higher education while at the same time preparing for registration in Australia.

Eligibility For M.Pharm In Australia

To qualify as a candidate for an M.Pharm degree in Australia, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Have a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or an equivalent pharmacy degree.

• Have a proof demonstrating your proficiency in English (IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no section below 7).

Pass the Intern Written and Oral Exams:

Next, the candidate must clear the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s written and oral exams to qualify as a registered pharmacist in Australia.

Apply for General Registration:

Lastly, the candidate should submit all their documents to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) to obtain full pharmacist registration.

Cost of M.Pharm in Australia

Here is a cost breakdown for pursuing an M.Pharm degree in Australia:

Pros of Pursuing an M.Pharm in Australia

In a nutshell, here are some advantages of pursuing an M.Pharm degree in Australia:

• Direct Registration Pathway: A degree in M.Pharm is considered to be a simplified process towards full pharmacist registration in Australia.

• Post-Study Work Visa: Upon completing the degree, a candidate is considered eligible for a 2-4 year work visa in Australia, which is a brilliant career prospect.

• Career Opportunities: As an M.Pharm, you can get several work opportunities to work in hospital pharmacies, research settings, and even in community health.

Cons of Pursuing an M.Pharm in Australia

On the other hand, there are also some downsides or disadvantages of pursuing a degree in M.Pharm in Australia, and these include:

• High Costs: The tuition fee and the living expenses can exceed AUD 100,000, which is a significant amount considering the status of a foreign graduate.

• Time-Intensive: For people looking for a short-term plan, this might not be the best option since the degree program requires 2 years of study along with 1 year of supervised internship.

• English Proficiency: There are set requirements for qualifying for the M.Pharm degree, such as having a high language proficiency in English (IELTS 7.0).

Pathway 2: Migrating to Australia via the OPRA Exam

The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam is a faster, more affordable, and newer route for becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia for overseas-trained, foreign pharmacists.

This exam revolves around assessing your biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical knowledge, which is a mandatory requirement needed for safe and effective practice in Australia.

Eligibility for the OPRA Exam

To be considered an eligible candidate for the OPRA exam, you must:

• Have a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree.

• Be registered (or at least be eligible to register) as a pharmacist in your home country.

Process to Become a Pharmacist Through OPRA

Here is a breakdown of the steps that are required to be followed by you in order to become a practicing, registered pharmacist in Australia through the OPRA route:

Initial Skills Assessment:
Firstly, submit all the required documents for assessment and verification to the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).

Pass the OPRA Exam:

It is then mandatory for you to clear a 120-question multiple-choice exam covering the basics of pharmacy knowledge and concepts.

English language requirement:

In the OPRA pathway the candidate can choose an easier exam like PTE academic which is easier than the IELTS exam to get your desired score.

Internship and Supervised Practice:

The successful candidates are then required to complete 1 year (1575 hours) of supervised practice in Australia.

Apply for General Registration:

After successfully completing the internship, the candidate can apply for full registration with AHPRA.

Cost of The OPRA Pathway

Pros of the OPRA Pathway

Some of the benefits of opting for the OPRA pathway include the following:

• Cost-Effective: The OPRA pathway is considered to be significantly cheaper than pursuing an M.Pharm degree in the same country.

• Faster Process: As compared to the three-year long M.Pharm program, you can conveniently complete the process in approximately 1.5 to 2 years.

• Flexible Preparation: Fortunately, the OPRA pathway allows for preparation from your home country before moving to Australia, which gives the candidate an ample amount of time to prepare from the comforts of their home.

Cons of the OPRA Pathway

At the same time, there are some limitations that make the OPRA pathway a not-so-ideal pathway for the candidates. These cons include:

• No Academic Degree: Passing the OPRA exam does not mean that you will automatically receive a degree or Australian qualification. It just facilitates your entry and registration for working as a pharmacist in Australia. But once you are in Australia the procedure is same for both Mpharm and OPRA path candidates.

• Strict Eligibility Requirements: The OPRA pathway requires an active registration status in your home country.

M.Pharm vs. OPRA Pathway: A Comparison

Here is comparison of both the M.Pharm and OPRA pathway for your convenience:

💡 Related Read:

Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Examination – Everything You Need to Know

How Elite Expertise Supports You

If you choose the OPRA pathway, Elite Expertise has a way of providing you with world-class coaching, mentoring, and preparation to help you succeed in your career goals.

Why Choose Elite Expertise?

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Expert-Led Training: The training at Elite Expertise comes exclusively from pharmacists who possess direct, real-world industry experience in Australia.

• Flexible Learning: Elite Expertise allows its students to have access to live and recorded lectures for independent study at their preferred pace.

• Comprehensive Study Materials: Elite Expertise provides full preparation material for the KAPS and OPRA exams.

• Mock Exams: The mock exams at Elite Expertise provide students with practice tests which simulate actual exam situations.

• Personalized Guidance: Elite Expertise connects students with personal mentors who deliver individualized guidance to support their progress.

Meet the Experts at Elite Expertise

The students at Elite Expertise develop their pharmacy skills under veterans of the Australian pharmacy field who bring real-world system experience.

As a Consultant Pharmacist (AACPA), Mrs.Harika Bheemavarapu works in her role as Clinical Pharmacist at Monash Health Hospital in Melbourne after earning her Master of Pharmacy. As a seasoned hospital pharmacist with expertise in patient-centered care, she helps students by both teaching them and guiding them through pharmacist registration requirements.

Mr. Arief Mohammad delivers his consultant pharmacist (AACPA) expertise through his work as a Clinical Pharmacist at Northern Health Hospital in Melbourne. Through his expertise across pharmaceutical sciences and clinical practice and licensure exam knowledge, he has assisted numerous students to clear both KAPS and OPRA exams.

Through their wholesome partnership, both Mr. Arief and Mrs. Harika strive to deliver top-tier education along with hands-on training and customized mentoring support to prepare pharmacy graduates for their professional successes in Australia and New Zealand.

Final Thoughts

Both the M.Pharm in Australia and the OPRA pathway serve as distinct entry points for students eager to register as pharmacists. Which path to choose depends on the interest of the candidate. But if you destination is same prefer the OPRA pathway which could save you time and finances. Elite Expertise provides a full spectrum of support which makes your educational path more manageable while ensuring better outcomes.

Join Elite Expertise right now to begin your pharmacy career as its OPRA (previously KAPS) exam success partner!

This blog is for informational purposes only and represents the views and interpretations of Elite Expertise regarding career opportunities in pharmacy. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date insights, pharmacy licensing requirements, immigration policies, and healthcare regulations may vary by country and are subject to change.EliteExpertise does not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on the information provided in this article.

⚠️ Disclaimer

About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

Follow On

Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise