Australia has a top-notch healthcare system and diverse pharmacy job opportunities. It is the top destination for many pharmacists from around the world who want to launch their careers.
However, for pharmacists who are qualified internationally, the road to practice in Australia remains open, provided they take a crucial step: passing a licensing exam.
This is the reason why the OPRA Exam Australia is your primary gateway to a successful pharmacy career in Australia.
Why Choose Australia for Your Pharmacist Career?
Australia is a paradise for pharmacists. The constant demand for skilled healthcare professionals offers a continuous stream of pharmacy job opportunities.
Here are some reasons to choose Australia as a career option:
- Competitive salaries, earning AUD 100,000 to AUD 120,000.
- Work-life balance
- High quality of life
- Excellent career path
- Multicultural environment
- High quality of education
This promising pharmacist’s salary in Australia, coupled with excellent working conditions and a high quality of life, makes Australia an incredibly appealing choice.
Also Read: Top Benefits of Becoming a Registered Pharmacist in Australia
Overview of the OPRA Exam
The Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is aimed at qualifying overseas pharmacists to work professionally and safely within the Australian healthcare system. This pharmacy licensing exam in Australia is a major step towards the global pharmacy profession.
The most vital pharmacy licensing exam in Australia is the Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam, which is run by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). So, what does the OPRA exam do?
The OPRA exam serves to demonstrate that they are eligible and have the skills and knowledge to work in Australia as registered pharmacists.
Generally, pharmacists who have completed their pharmacy qualifications in countries other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States are required to pass the OPRA exam as part of their pathway to pharmacist qualification in Australia.
Who is Eligible for the OPRA Exam?
In order to sit for the OPRA exam, candidates must satisfy certain conditions set by the APC. Such conditions typically are:
- Educational Qualifications: A pharmacy degree that is accepted by the Australian authorities as an equivalent of an Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy degree is definitely required. Generally speaking, four years of full-time academic studies or a postgraduate pharmacy degree is what the equivalency means. The qualification should provide basic knowledge of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
- Registration in Home Country (or Eligibility): Registration as a pharmacist in the country where the diploma was obtained, or being allowed to register in that country or to start the registration process.
- English Language Proficiency: It is very necessary to be able to communicate in English. Generally accepted tests are PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 66 and 66 for each component, IELTS Academic (with a minimum overall band score of 7, and 6.5 in writing), or OET (Occupational English Test) for Pharmacy (with a minimum score of B in speaking, reading and listening and C+ in writing). Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency).
It is important to check the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) official website for eligibility, since requirements may change.
Exam Format and Structure
The OPRA exam is a closed-book, computer-based test that is administered at authorized testing centers around the globe. It consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each having one actual and three false answers. The test-takers are given 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to finish the test.
The OPRA exam syllabus is a set of five key content areas that represent the focus on the practical aspect of work and patient care:
- Biomedical Sciences (20%): It deals with the normal and abnormal functions of the body, pathophysiology, medical microbiology, and immunology.
- Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (10%): It is about the properties of drugs, their stability, solubility, and formulation.
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (10%): The topic dwells on how drugs travel through the body and the effects they bring; it also covers drug metabolism and interactions.
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (15%): It is mainly a section on a drug’s mechanism of action, side effects, and the part on the drug’s toxicity.
- Therapeutics and Patient Care (45%): This is the largest section that includes different skills like the ability to use pharmaceutical knowledge to solve realistic patient scenarios, including medication management, patient counselling, and ethical considerations.
Additionally, the exam also focuses on cognitive abilities such as remembering/recalling, comprehension/understanding, and application.
The test applies a scaling score system and the Rasch method to ensure it is fair and consistent. You can enroll in a KAPS (now OPRA) exam preparation course that will guide you through the exam process as well as teach according to new methodologies.
Also Read: What Are the Top 10 Strategies to Ace Your OPRA Exam Preparation
What Has Changed with the OPRA Exam? (Comparing KAPS to OPRA)
The OPRA exam officially replaced the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam in March 2025. This transition represents a significant shift in the Australian pharmacy registration exam process. Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | KAPS Exam (Old) | OPRA Exam (New) |
Number of Papers | Two separate papers | One single paper |
Number of Questions | 200 MCQs (100 per paper) | 120 MCQs |
Duration | 4 hours (2 hours per paper) | 2.5 hours |
Focus | More theoretical knowledge | Increased focus on practical and therapeutic application of knowledge |
Scoring | Traditional scoring | Rasch methodology (evidence-based psychometric analysis) |
Cost | AUD 2290 | AUD 2190 |
This shift means a more streamlined process with emphasis on practical and clinical skills. This prepares candidates for processes such as internships and intern (oral and written) examinations, making them job-ready for a how to become a pharmacist in Australia pathway.
Also Read: What’s Changing: KAPS Vs OPRA Exam
Elite Expertise to Choose for OPRA Exam Preparation
With the new format and increased focus on practical applications, thorough OPRA exam preparation is most important. A lot of candidates find signing up for specialized coaching programs really helpful. Here is what Elite Expertise does differently:
- OPRA exam free resources for our students
- High quality of education
- Extensive OPRA exam preparation
- Registered and experienced pharmacists who are also educators
- Practical examples and breaking down of tricky concepts
- Structured, reliable, mock exam according to the syllabus
Final Thoughts
The OPRA exam is a major challenge in your path towards a rewarding pharmacy career in Australia, but it is definitely achievable.
With the exam structure, eligibility criteria, and a strategically planned preparation using good resources, you can confidently go through this essential phase in your journey.
Australia provides a dynamic and satisfying professional environment for pharmacists, and after passing the OPRA exam, you will be able to be part of the healthcare system and establish a prosperous career.
⚠️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.
