Discover the essential steps for overseas candidates to become pharmacist in Australia. From completing a Pharmacy degree to qualifying in the KAPS/OPRA exam and obtaining English language proficiency, each step is crucial. Additionally, candidates undergo supervised internship and pass exams to attain general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), enabling them to practice as pharmacists nationwide.
Arief Mohammad
The 5 basic steps for Overseas Pharmacists to become a registered pharmacist in Australia includes:
1. The overseas candidate must complete his/her degree in Pharmacy such as a Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy or Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D).
2. To get registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, the overseas candidate must qualify KAPS (knowledge assessment of pharmaceutical sciences)/OPRA™ (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam conducted by Australian Pharmacy Council.
a) Prior to KAPS/OPRA Exam Australia the candidate must undergo the eligibility check to ensure he/she is eligible to sit for the KAPS/OPRA exam and to receive skill assessment outcome.
b) The candidate must take KAPS/OPRA examination and should secure 50% in each subject in both paper 1 and paper 2. (This skill assessment and OPRA Exam Preparation can be completed from the candidate’s home country).
3. After clearing the KAPS/OPRA exam milestone, it is the time to begin their journey to achieve the permanent residency in Australia.
a) English Language Test: Since Australia is an English-speaking country, the candidate who wish to migrate to Australia must prove their English skills by taking certain exams called: IELTS academic, PTE academic and OET.
b) AHPRA Registration: The Australian Health Practitioner Registration agency offers the provisional and permanent registration to the KAPS/OPRA qualified candidates which is required to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.
4. The candidate must apply for internship and must complete one-year supervised internship (1575 hours) with a registered pharmacist and pass an oral and written exam to apply for general registration as a pharmacist.
5. Once the candidate passes the intern written and oral examination, he/she can apply for general registration with AHPRA and can work as a registered pharmacist anywhere throughout Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Pharmacist in Australia
Overseas candidates must complete a pharmacy degree, qualify in the KAPS/OPRA exam, meet English language requirements, register with AHPRA, complete a supervised internship, and pass the intern written and oral exams to gain full registration.
Bachelor of Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacy, or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degrees are accepted qualifications for starting the registration process in Australia.
The Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) or Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council to assess overseas candidates’ knowledge. Passing it is a key milestone for registration.
The eligibility check ensures that an overseas candidate’s pharmacy qualification is valid and that they meet APC requirements before applying for the KAPS/OPRA exam and receiving a skill assessment outcome.
Candidates must secure at least 50% in each subject across both Paper 1 and Paper 2 to pass the KAPS/OPRA exam.
Yes. Candidates must pass an approved English test such as IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or OET to meet migration and registration requirements in Australia.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) grants provisional and general registration to pharmacists. Without AHPRA registration, candidates cannot practice in Australia.
Overseas candidates must complete a one-year supervised internship (1575 hours) with a registered pharmacist in Australia.
Candidates must pass the intern written and oral examinations after completing their supervised internship to apply for general registration with AHPRA.
Yes. Once candidates obtain general registration with AHPRA, they are authorized to practice as registered pharmacists across Australia.
