As an intern pharmacist in Australia, passing the pharmacist registration exam is one of the crucial steps towards becoming an internationally trained pharmacist.
This exam is administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and is commonly known as the APC Intern Written Exam. It is a cornerstone of the measurement of your ability to safely and effectively practice medicine in Australia.
Whether you’re an international pharmacy graduate or a local pharmacy intern, understanding the pharmacy education, content, and preparation strategies for the pharmacy intern exam can make a significant difference in your performance.
What is the OPRA (previously KAPS) Exam?
The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam, which was earlier the KAPS exam, is an exam that all aspiring pharmacist students have to pass in order to be licensed pharmacists in Australia.
This is the new and improved way to follow the steps to success in the OPRA exam Training and register officially as a pharmacist in Australia.
The Intern – written examination and oral examination after the OPRA exam is a re-enactment of patient dialogues and professional dilemmas in pharmacy practice, and it is the way a student reveals how he/she use clinical knowledge.
It’s not just about what you know, it’s how you think and how clearly you can explain it.
Also Read: What’s Changing: KAPS Vs OPRA Exam
Who is Eligible for the Intern Written Exam?
The eligibility criteria are that you must be an intern pharmacist registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and completing the required supervised practice hours (internship).
The Intern written examination is a computer-based exam.
Here are things you will need to know:
- 75 multiple-choice questions and 2 hours to complete the exam.
- Of the 75 questions, 90% are ‘scored’ questions, 10% are ‘unscored’ questions. The 90% are considered for your result.
- Results will be declared within approximately 3 weeks and will be available on the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) website.
- Criterion-referenced system, meaning results are compared to a fixed standard of competency, not to other candidates.
What is the Pharmacy Intern Written Exam?
The Pharmacy Intern Written Exam is a knowledge assessment of your skills as a pharmacy intern. After completing your registration and internship, you will need to appear for the Intern – Written and Oral exam before working as a licensed pharmacist.
We will focus on the pharmacist registration exam in Australia (Intern Written).
Format: Multiple-choice questions. 2 hours with 75 questions.
Competency Standard | Percentage of questions allocated |
1.3 Practice within the applicable legal framework | 8% |
3.1 Develop a patient-centred, culturally responsive approach to medication management | 20% |
3.2 Implement the medication management strategy or plan | 28% |
3.3 Monitor and evaluate medication management | 28% |
3.4 Compound medicines | 8% |
3.6 Promote health and well-being | 8% |
Note: Please visit the official Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) website for more details on the content and resources.
How to Prepare for the Australian Intern Written Exam?
The Intern written examination is held four times a year and is based on the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia.
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) blueprint of the exam includes topics such as:
- Clinical pharmacy: managing common conditions, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacotherapy, and adverse effects
- Legal and ethical practice: dispensing regulations, PBS knowledge assessment, documentation
- Communication and counselling: Patient safety, cultural competency
- Calculations: Dosage, conversions, compounding
- Drug interactions: safety, contraindications, monitoring parameters
Understanding the syllabus is a crucial part of passing the pharmacy written exam in Australia.
Each question is designed to simulate practical situations pharmacists commonly face in their professional roles, making the APC intern written examination preparation both challenging and vital.
The exam primarily focuses on the following domains:
1. Practice Within the Applicable Legal Framework
You must be familiar with the legal requirements and standards governing Australia’s healthcare system, including Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This section also covers national practice standards of the pharmacy board and guidelines by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
2. Patient-centric Understanding
Provide primary care with good judgment to give medicines. Give medicine by understanding the prescription for the patient and providing proper counseling for safe and effective medication. This may include case studies of medication review, therapeutics, and drug therapy.
3. Implement Medication Management
Understanding of medication management and patient needs. Here, you will need to accurately interpret prescriptions – reading and validating them. Also, identify drug interactions and check legal compliance in dispensing.
4. Evaluate and Monitor Medication Management
This section will test your professionalism and ethics in practice, evaluate your judgment regarding confidentiality, patient care, and safety.
Professionalism and ethics are essential in pharmacy practice. This area evaluates your judgment in situations involving confidentiality, patient safety, conflicts of interest, and ethical dilemmas.
5. Compound medicine
You will require an understanding of needed pharmaceutical calculations and formulation, a strong grasp of pharmacological principles, drug mechanisms, and disease-state management across a range of therapeutic areas.
6. Promote health and well-being
You will need to understand and promote health-related activities for patients’ health.
Tips for Effective Exam Preparation
Success in the intern pharmacist assessment depends on more than just memorisation. Here are some proven preparation tips:
- Start early, 3 to 6 months before, prepare well, and avoid cramming at the last minute.
- Stay organized by creating a schedule to identify areas of improvement and allocate time for each one.
- Revise key guidelines, keep up with the latest syllabus, and review the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Candidate Guide. It is also good to know the PSA Practice Guidelines and the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH).
- Study in groups and with fellow interns to discuss cases and share insights.
- Take mock exams frequently to stimulate real test conditions. Also, make sure to rest enough and manage stress effectively so you feel confident on exam day.
How Elite Expertise Supports Your Exam Journey
At Elite Expertise, we understand that preparing for the pharmacist registration exam in Australia can be daunting. That’s why we created the comprehensive Pharmacy Intern Written Exam Preparation Course tailored to Australian standards.
Our course includes:
- Structured modules covering each topic in the syllabus.
- Practice questions that mimic the real exam.
- Interactive case studies and live webinars to improve learning.
- Expert guidance from experienced pharmacists and educators in Australia.
- Flexible options to fit your intern schedule.
Whether you’re having trouble with certain topics or just want to boost your confidence, our program gives you the tools, resources, and mentoring you need to succeed.
Also Read: Latest Update on APC Intern Written Exam Delivery in 2025
Final Thoughts
Passing the pharmacy intern exam marks an important milestone in your rewarding career as a registered pharmacist in Australia.
With the right preparation, a clear understanding of the exam structure, and support from expert educators at Elite Expertise, you can approach the test with confidence.
If you’re ready to advance in your career, let Elite Expertise support your success. Explore our Intern Written Examination Preparation Course today and begin your journey to pharmacy registration in Australia.
⚠️Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and reflects our own views and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, guidelines and requirements may change. Readers are advised to verify information with official sources such as the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and Ahpra before making any decisions. We do not take responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.
