Australian Pharmacist licensing exam (OPRA Exam) for Indian Pharmacists

OPRA exam is the shared licencing exam for both Australia and New Zealand. These are among the top countries that Indians choose to migrate and practise as a pharmacist. Are you an Indian pharmacist aspiring of becoming a pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand? With increasing shortages of pharmacist in these countries, they are actively looking for international pharmacy professionals to help this condition.

Every country has its own pathway to practise pharmacy and OPRA exam is the gateway step for Australia and New Zealand.

What is the OPRA Exam?

OPRA stands for Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment that is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). OPRA exam has replaced the KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences) exam from March 2025, which was earlier the pharmacist licensing exam for Australia and New Zealand.

It’s designed to assess whether overseas pharmacists (like those from India) have the knowledge, skills, and readiness to practice safely in Australia.

OPRA vs KAPS: What’s the Difference?

Elite Expertise has supported students preparing for KAPS exam and now continuing its guidance for OPRA exam too.

Why OPRA Matters for Indian Pharmacists

• Indian B.Pharm, M.pharm and Pharm.D graduates must go through a skills assessment and registration process to work as a pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand.

• The OPRA exam is now the mandate exam in that process for all the pharmacists overseas. It's recognized by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) and helps streamline pharmacy registration for overseas candidates.

• This exam is a proof that your skill, competencies and educational standards meet the standards of Australian Healthcare system.

Who Should Take the OPRA Exam or OPRA exam eligibility?

You should consider the OPRA exam if you:

• Have a minimum four-year degree like Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or higher like Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from India

• If you are aspiring to work as a registered pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand

• Previously planned to take the KAPS but fall under the updated eligibility

Elite Expertise can assess your qualifications and guide you on the correct exam and pathway.

How to Prepare for the OPRA Exam

The OPRA exam tests applied knowledge, not just theory and checks the readiness of the candidate to practise in Australia. You’ll face clinical case-based questions, calculation-based problems, and Australian healthcare context in this examination.

Topics Covered, but not limited to:

Therapeutics and Patient Care (45%)

Biomedical Sciences (20%)

Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (10%)

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (10%)

Pharmacology and Toxicology (15%)

The is syllabus is vast and if you are confused where to start from then Elite Expertise provides coaching and guidance for your OPRA exam preparation:

OPRA Coaching with Elite Expertise

At Elite Expertise, we offer:

• Live & recorded OPRA-focused classes that involves curated resources for the exam.

• Study material and case-based practice, our faculty Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu and Mr Arief Mohammad are both Clinical pharmacists in Australia whose experience clearly reciprocates in their teaching.

• Mock tests based on updated OPRA blueprint. These tests have been created to simulate the actual exam conditions to prepare you better for the exam day.

• One-on-one mentoring and support till you clear the OPRA exam.

• Personalized feedback and study plans

• Our OPRA exam preparation coaching or crash course is for 3.5 months and covers over 300 hours of preparatory sessions.

Most of our students cleared their exam on the first attempt.

Documents Required by Indian Pharmacists for OPRA Eligibility Check:

1. Identification Documents
   Three photo identification documents must be provided. At least one must be a primary form of ID such as a passport, national identity card, or driver’s license.

2. Pharmacy Qualification Certificate
   To confirm that you have completed your graduation, a pharmacy degree certificate or a completion letter from your university must be provided.

3. Academic Transcript
   Include your full academic transcript showing all subjects studied, grades/marks received, and course duration.

4. Evidence of Registration or Licensure
   Provide proof of your pharmacist registration or eligibility to be registered in your home country or another country. This should show the start and end dates of registration.

5. Recent Passport-size Photograph
   A clear and recent passport-size photo, taken within the last six months.

6. Name Change Document (if applicable)
   The candidate must submit official documentation such as a marriage certificate or legal name change certificate in case of a name change due to marriage or any legal reason.

Elite Expertise offers full assistance with APC documentation evaluation.

After Passing OPRA: What's Next?

Once you pass the OPRA exam:

1. Apply for provisional registration.

2. Explore PR pathways via skilled migration visas (491, 190, 186). To know more on visas please read this blog to give you a better understanding: Visa Points for Pharmacy Career in Australia | Elite Expertise.

3. Start your supervised internship (1575 hours) in an Australian pharmacy once you migrate.

4. After completion of 75% of the intern hours you will be eligible for the Intern Written and Oral exams.

5. Once you pass all the exams apply for General Registration and become a fully registered pharmacist.

Common Problems Faced by Indian Pharmacists During the OPRA Process

Watch this video to more about English language test latest updates: New English Language Requirement for #pharmacists 2025 |What after #opra EXAM|#pte #shorts

Conclusion:

If you’re an Indian pharmacist thinking about Australia or New Zealand, the OPRA exam is your gateway. It’s simpler, outcome-based, and better aligned with today’s healthcare needs.

At Elite Expertise, we provide end-to-end support — from APC document evaluation guidance, OPRA exam preparation, training you for the intern written and oral exams, and Ahpra registration.

No matter where you’re starting, we’ll help you finish strong. Do not worry if you have gap in your education or your are a working professional who is busy struggling between work and personal life we are here to help everyone from a fresher to a working professional.

This blog is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. The information provided is based on the current understanding of the OPRA exam process and pharmacist licensing pathways in Australia and New Zealand as of June 2025. Immigration policies, eligibility requirements, and exam formats are subject to change by regulatory bodies such as the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA), and the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ). Readers are advised to consult official sources or seek professional advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Elite Expertise does not provide legal or immigration services but offers academic guidance and preparatory support for pharmacy licensing exams.

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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.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise