Can You Skip the OPRA Exam with an MPharm in Australia?

Australia is one of the most attractive countries when choosing a place that will allow your career and personal life to prosper freely. The high-quality education system, well-regulated healthcare environment, and significant career opportunities make Australia the ultimate top choice for all aspiring pharmacists from all over the world to come and try their luck here. For all those candidates who opt to study Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) in Australia, a common question that arises is - Do you need to pass the OPRA exam after completing an MPharm in Australia?

The following student-friendly guide will help you find all your answers to the question. It will not only clearly explain the entire registration process, eligibility criteria, and all other details, but also provide a very realistic view of what to expect once you graduate.

By going through this article, you will also learn how the role of Elite Expertise, a trusted platform for pharmacists’ guidance, helps graduates navigate each step, starting from their very initial step all the way down to finally becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.

Understanding The Master Of Pharmacy (MPharm) In Australia

The Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) is a postgraduate qualification designed for students with a background in pharmaceutical sciences or any other relevant discipline. Several accredited universities across Australia offer the Master of Pharmacy program. Each program is designed in such a manner that the coursework meets the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) standards easily.

Some of the top accredited universities offering M.Pharm include:

• University of Sydney (Camperdown campus)

• Monash University

• University of Queensland

• University of Technology Sydney (Ultimo campus)

• University of Western Australia (Crawley campus)

All the M.Pharm programs are typically 2 years in duration and include a unique blend of classroom teaching sessions, laboratory sessions, and supervised clinical placements as well. These degree programs have been structured to develop a student’s ability to engage in safe and effective pharmaceutical practices that are in line with the Australian standards.

Course Highlights

The general course outline of an M.Pharm degree program comprises the following:

• Pharmacotherapeutics And Clinical Pharmacy

• Pharmacy Law And Ethics

• Dispensing And Compounding

• Patient Counselling And Interprofessional Care

• Evidence-Based Medicine

The M.Pharm degree qualifies all the students for provisional registration, provided they meet all admission requirements and have successfully completed the internship and exams required for general registration.

Admission Requirements for M.Pharm

To enter an M.Pharm degree program in Australia, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• A recognized undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, or health sciences
  

• Proof of academic transcripts and a degree certificate
  

• Fulfilment of all requirements in human biology and chemistry (varies by university; candidates can check each university’s requirements to understand better)

It is also very much possible that each Australian university may have its unique application steps, so before you apply for any university, it is essential to check the university website for its specific requirements.

Following this way, your application will not only get completed in due time, but you will also have a grip on what to expect from the particular university in the future.

Tuition Fees and Study Locations

M.Pharm students should expect to pay between AUD 40,000 and 55,000 annually for their tuition fees, depending on both the institution and the campus location.

Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane’s bigger universities connect students to state-of-the-art teaching facilities and work in collaboration to offer internships for the students.

Do You Need to Pass the OPRA Exam After Completing an MPharm in Australia?

A short and official answer to this question is: No.

If you complete an M.Pharm from an accredited Australian university, then you are not required to sit the OPRA exam. This is because your degree is already aligned with Australian pharmacy standards, as verified by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).

Instead, your path to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia will involve the following steps:

• Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia via AHPRA

• Complete a supervised internship (A minimum of 1,575 hours)

• Pass the oral exams - Intern Written Exam and Oral Assessment

• Apply for general registration

This is known as the Intern Pharmacist Registration Pathway and is considered to be the standard route for pharmacy graduates from Australian institutions.

OPRA Exam: Format and Focus

For the candidates who will require appearing in the OPRA exam, here is what to expect from this exam:

• 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

• 150-minute computer-based test

• Closed-book

Content Areas:

The content that is covered in the OPRA exam includes the following subjects:

• Biomedical Sciences

• Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics

• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

• Pharmacology and Toxicology

• Therapeutics and Patient Care

The candidates must prepare using approved and trusted study materials, case studies, and real-world examples to ensure that they are ready for effective practice in Australia.

This is where the role of Elite Expertise is seen to spring into action! Of course, what else than to trust an educational platform that is being run by two maestros, Mr. Arief Mohammad and Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu.

Apart from pharmacy exam training, such as for OPRA, this wonderful organization also serves to provide comprehensive assistance during every step of the registration procedure to overseas-trained pharmacists.

Elite Expertise supports pharmacists and helps them with AHPRA applications to provide comprehensive assistance throughout the registration journey.

Required Documents for Provisional Registration

Whether you studied in Australia or overseas, documentation at every step is a critical part of the process.

Here is what you will be needing as an M.Pharm graduate:

• Proof of identity (passport, visa)

• M.Pharm degree certificate and academic transcript

• Letter of offer or contract for supervised internship

• Online application form via AHPRA

• Payment of applicable registration fees

OPRA vs. M.Pharm: A Cost Perspective

It is important to know that completing an M.Pharm degree in Australia is a significantly more expensive route compared to passing the OPRA exam, with the preparation process included. The tuition fees for M.Pharm programs, combined with the living expenses and university costs, can make this option financially challenging for many students, who already come from struggling backgrounds.

In contrast, the OPRA pathway offers a more budget-friendly alternative, provided that it will also give you the choice to prepare for the exam from the comfort of your home, within your home country. Once you clear the OPRA exam, you can relocate to Australia just for appearing in the internship and final assessments, thereby saving yourself both time and money.

A Cost-Effective Alternative: Study While You Prepare

Students who are financially struggling and are in search of cost-effectiveness but still want to move to Australia may consider applying for a Master of Public Health or Health Management degree. It is a viable and affordable option. These programs are not as costly as the M.Pharm and yet still provide a good reason for your student visa.

Simultaneously, you can study for the OPRA exam at the same time, and this is a smart and financially affordable road to pharmacist registration.

How Elite Expertise Can Help You?

Elite Expertise is an educational consultancy platform that focuses on students, and assists M.Pharm graduates and overseas trained pharmacists to smoothly pursue their pharmacy registration process in Australia under guidance of their mentors.

Established by two experienced professionals, Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu, who is a Clinical Pharmacist at Monash Health, and Mr Arief Mohammad, who is a Clinical Pharmacist at Northern Health, Elite Expertise provides personalised support at every step of your career.

Key Services:

Apart from the obvious exam preparation and training, here is a list of services that the expert mentors at Elite Expertise can provide you:

• OPRA and other foreign pharmacy exam preparation with updated study materials and mock tests

• Support with document review and AHPRA applications

• Pharmacist mentorship by seasoned professionals

Whether you are completing your M.Pharm in Australia or preparing to pass the OPRA exam from your home country, Elite Expertise ensures you are never lost in the process.

Summary Table: Do You Need to Take OPRA?

Final Words Of Wisdom

To become a registered pharmacist in Australia, your path will eventually depend and start from where you gained your degree of qualification.

• If you are completing an M.Pharm from an accredited Australian university, you will not need to appear in the OPRA exam. Instead, your focus should totally be on your supervised internship and all oral and written assessments instead.

• If you are an internationally educated pharmacist, you must already be aware that appearing in the OPRA exam is a non-negotiable deal for you.

However, no matter the circumstances, with the right assistance all pathways are doable. If you are provided with the right guidance and mentoring along the way, then nothing would seem like a hard task.

That is exactly why so many international pharmacy graduates turn to Elite Expertise. We don’t just help you with eligibility and the OPRA exam — we also offer targeted preparation courses for the internship written and oral exams, ensuring you’re ready for for every phase of the process.

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