Australian Visa Options for Pharmacists to Pursue Internships

Australia is among the top 10 choices for countries to which pharmacists abroad aspire due to its high standard of healthcare, global recognition, and promising career opportunities. To achieve this, the candidate must undergo several steps, including document evaluation and the mandatory Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam, which serves as the gateway to the Australian Healthcare system. This is a crucial step towards complete registration and achieving long-term career success, including pursuing an internship in Australia.

Understanding the visa options and registration requirements is crucial to begin your journey of migrating abroad for a better career opportunity. At Elite Expertise, we specialize in helping aspiring pharmacists navigate the complex Australian pharmacy system—from clearing the OPRA exam (previously known as the KAPS exam) to getting registered as an independent pharmacist to practise.

In this blog, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of the top visa options for pharmacists seeking internship opportunities in Australia, explain the registration pathways, and offer expert tips to get you started.

Types of Australian Visas for Pharmacy Internships

Pharmacists are included in the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) due to the shortage of pharmacists in the field in Australia. Here are a few options for you to select from, based on your requirements.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

This Visa is best for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian university.

• Once you have completed your course in Australia, this Visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.
• To be eligible for this Visa, Post-Study Work stream, your course must be listed on a CRICOS-registered (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) and at least 2 academic years long.
• This means that the actual study duration must be at least 92 weeks of registered study.
• Validity may vary from 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualification level and location.
• You can use this Visa to complete your pharmacy internship (supervised practice) and meet the requirements for general registration.

Eligibility:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s in Pharmacy in Australia is a mandate to be eligible for this Visa.
• Must apply within 6 months of course completion.
• Must hold a recent IELTS/OET/PTE test meeting AHPRA’s language requirements.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

This type of Visa is best for Skilled pharmacists aspiring for permanent residency (PR) without sponsorship.

• This is a points-tested permanent visa that doesn’t require a job offer or employer sponsorship.
• For this Visa, the candidate must pass the OPRA exam and have a positive skills assessment from the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
• Once this is approved, you can live and work anywhere in Australia, including completing your internship.

Eligibility:

• The OPAR exam does not have an age limit, but it is recommended that candidates be under 45 years of age.
• There are allocated points for each category according to the requirements; the candidate can meet the minimum points threshold (usually 65 or more).
• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)

Note: The benefits of this Visa make it a highly competitive option, often suited to those with high qualifications and strong English proficiency.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

For this type of Visa, pharmacy candidates with a job offer in hand and also from an approved employer will be eligible.

• This Visa is, in short, known as the TSS visa. This type of Visa offers skilled workers to fill positions in Australia where local talent is not available.
• Which means that for this Visa,  a pharmacy or hospital sponsors the applicant, and the candidate can use this Visa to work as an intern pharmacist.
• The employer must be approved and willing to sponsor your Visa.
• This Visa is valid for approximately 4 years, depending on the stream.

Eligibility:

• A positive e-document evaluation from APC
• A job opportunity is available for a relevant role that suits you.
• Positive skills assessment outcome letter once you clear the OPRA exam, which is a licensing exam for Australia
• 2+ years of relevant experience (starting Nov 2024, this may be reduced to 1 year)
• English test proficiency result with the required score.

Employer-Sponsored Permanent Visas (Subclass 186 & Subclass 494)

Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent)

• The sponsorship of an employer is a mandate.
• This visa option can be used after internship completion, in case the employer agrees to nominate you.
• This Visa is used after holding a TSS visa.

Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)

• The shortage of pharmacists in rural areas is the basis for this Visa.
• This Visa is designed for regional areas of Australia.
• Once the applicant has been on this Visa for about 3 years, it can pave the way to permanent residency.
• The competition is lower in regional pharmacy settings compared to urban or city settings, and therefore, demand is higher.

Provisional Registration for Pharmacists

After completion of the OPRA, the candidate will be eligible to be provisionally registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (via AHPRA).

Provisional registration requirements:

• Recognized qualification
• OPRA exam pass result certificate.
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT)
• Criminal history check
• After you are provisionally registered in Australia, you can complete the internship and the ITP program.

Also Read: Maximize Your Visa Points and Pursue a Successful Pharmacy Career in Australia

Registration and Supervision Requirements

To become a fully registered pharmacist in Australia, you must complete an internship of 1575 hours under a preceptor who will guide you through this entire journey.

Once you have completed at least 75 % of the intern hours, you will be eligible for the Australian Pharmacist Intern Oral exam and Written exams. Once you clear these exams, you will be eligible to apply for full registration and practice independently after that.

Pathways to Permanent Residency for Pharmacists

There are several PR options available to choose from based on your requirements after completion of your internship and receiving general registration:

• Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
• Subclass 190 State Nominated Visa
• Subclass 491 Regional Skilled Work Visa
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
• Subclass 191 (PR pathway after 491)

The demand for pharmacists in Australia is increasing, particularly in rural and regional areas. Being open to working in these regions improves your PR prospects and job security.

Tips for International Pharmacists

1. Start with a Plan

Begin with a proper plan and in-hand information before you embark on the journey. Choose your target visa, pathway, and location early to ensure a smooth process. Understand eligibility criteria and timelines.

2. Clear the OPRA Exam Early

Passing the OPRA exam is mandatory for pharmacists who graduated from international programs. In case of any difficulty during your preparation, Elite Expertise provides support through expert-led courses and mock exams to help you clear the exam with confidence.

3. Focus on Regional Opportunities

The shortage of pharmacists in Rural or regional areas is higher when compared to the cities. You’ll find more internship openings, visa sponsorships, and faster PR routes.

4. Prepare for English Tests

For pharmacists, language is the key to communicating effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. Make sure to meet AHPRA’s language requirements:

• IELTS: 7.0 in each band (or 6.5 writing if you combine tests)
• OET: B in all bands
• PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT accepted from 2024.

Also Read: What Are the Top 10 Strategies to Ace Your OPRA Exam Preparation

Conclusion: Turn Your Australian Pharmacy Dream into Reality

Australia offers pharmacists several visa options to complete internships and progress towards full registration. Whether you recently graduated or have an overseas qualification, knowing the correct Visa, fulfilling registration requirements, and selecting the correct route will help you land your internship and open a successful pharmacy career in Australia.

At Elite Expertise, we simplify your journey. From guiding you through the skills assessment to preparing for the OPRA exam in Australia to helping you understand visa options, internship placements, and mentoring for the registration steps, we’re with you at every milestone.