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On 26th June 2026, Australian Pharmacy Council has released a breaking news stating that effective from 1st July 2026, the international pharmacy graduates have successfully completed an APC exam i.e. KAPS, OPRA exam have been issued with an option to renew their Skill Assessment validity.
This change helps the qualified pharmacy candidates to secure visas and internship opportunities, helping reduce time pressures and costs.
What is APC’s latest SAO validity update?
Effective from 1st July 2026, The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) allows overseas-trained pharmacists who have qualified the APC exam through knowledge stream can now renew their Skills Assessment Outcome (SAO) for a fresh 3-year period without needing to re-appear for the exam, allowing for a total validity of up to 6 years.
Key Update Details
What is The Rule: Eligible candidates can renew their SAO for an additional 3 years starting from the new issue date.
No Exam Retakes: Eligible overseas candidates do not need to re-sit the APC/KAPS exam to renew.
What is the Fee: The renewal application fee is $300 AUD.
Purpose: The update provides relief and extra time to secure internships, visas, and migration requirements in Australia for the international candidates.
Process: Applications can be submitted directly via the APC Candidate Portal.
Can pharmacists who cleared the KAPS exam in 2022, 2023, or 2024 benefit from this extension?
Yes, if you are an international pharmacy graduate and cleared the KAPS exam in 2022, 2023, or 2024, you can benefit from the Australian Pharmacy Council’s policy allowing overseas-trained pharmacists to renew their Skills Assessment Outcome (SAO).
Advantages for the new changes made by APC :-
- Total Validity: SAO can be extended for up to a total of 6 years (3 original years + a 3-year renewal).
- No Re exam Required: You do not need to take the APC exam again to renew your SAO.
- More Time: This extension gives you a larger window to secure visas, internships, or permanent residency in Australia.What is the Step-by-Step Renewal Process?
International pharmacists who have passed their APC exam through knowledge stream i.e. the KAPS exam can follow the mentioned steps for applying for the SAO renewal.
Step 1:
Login to your account on the candidate portal on Australian Pharmacy Council website:
https://candidate.pharmacycouncil.org.au/SignIn
Step 2:
Navigate to the “Skills Assessment Outcomes” page and select “Request Updated SAO”.
Step 3:
Provide required documents like:
- Primary ID
- Recent photo
- Evidence name change (if applicable)
Step 4:
Pay the fee to submit.
What are the required documents for doing the renewal process?
For the Skills Assessment Outcome (SAO) renewal process, international pharmacist eligible candidates need not resubmit entire original application.
Required Documents
Valid Primary ID: Your current, unexpired passport. The scanned image must show the clear full top and bottom pages without being cropped.
Current Photograph: A recent, clear, passport-sized photo to update your portal profile.
Evidence of Name Change: If your name has changed since your original KAPS exam or SAO issuance, you must upload an official marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal deed poll.
What is the fees for the renewal process?
Based on the current exchange rates, the AUD $300 APC SAO renewal fee is approximately ₹19,854 Indian Rupees (INR) or ₨31,779 Nepalese Rupees (NPR).
Currency Breakdown
| Currency | Base Renewal Fee | Approx. Exchange Rate | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Rupee (INR) | AUD $300 | ≈ ₹66.23 per AUD | ≈ ₹19,869 |
| Nepalese Rupee (NPR) | AUD $300 | ≈ NPR 105.93 per AUD | ≈ NPR 31,779 |
Additional Cost
Bank/Card Forex Markups: Your local bank or credit card provider will likely charge a 1% to 3.5% international transaction fee unless you use a zero-markup Forex card.
Dynamic Conversion Rates: APC processes payments in Australian Dollars; your final statement will reflect the exact mid-market exchange rate on the specific day your payment is cleared.
- What to do if the renewal option is not seen on the candidate portal?
While applying for the renewal option if you notice that the renewal option is not seen on the candidate then as per APC the candidate needs to email info@pharmacycouncil.org.au and provide their previously issued Skills Assessment Outcome so that they can assist you further.
Conclusion
APC’s decision to allow Skills Assessment Outcome renewals without re-attempt for the examination is a good solution for many international pharmacists. Have an eye on the expiry date to avoid the last minute rushes. Log into the candidate portal, check your renewal eligibility, and get the process moving well ahead of any visa or internship deadlines.
Post your opra/kaps you need to pass Australian intern pharmacy exam preparation choose Eliteexpertise for your Australian journey too.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has introduced a new policy allowing International pharmacists to renew their Skills Assessment Outcome (SAO) effective from 1 July 2026.
- This applies to the candidates who have already passed their KAPS exam earlier.
- Skills assessment outcomes for migration purposes is valid for three years from the original issue date.
- The candidates who have passed the APC exam will not need to appear the exam it to renew their SAO.
- Renewal options are available for the international candidates who have previously been issued an SAO (i.e who have passed KAPS EXAM).
- Renewal fee is AU$300 with the time duration 5 working days (up to 4 weeks in exceptional cases).
- Eligible international pharmacy candidates can apply for an SAO renewal on the candidate portal.
Reviewed By
Asritha Rao
Algorithmic Search Optimization Specialist & SaaS Data Science Reviewer
Asritha Rao is a search optimization and data analytics professional with 8+ years of experience in Generative Search Engine Optimization (GSEO), technical SEO, SaaS analytics, and machine learning-driven search strategies. She reviews educational and industry-focused content to ensure technical accuracy, search relevance, and alignment with current AI-powered search environments.
