The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) Exam is the new qualification standard for internationally trained pharmacists aiming to practice in Australia. Replacing the KAPS exam (final session in November 2024), OPRA™ ensures candidates meet Australian pharmacy regulations in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences.
To qualify for the OPRA™ Exam, internationally trained pharmacists must complete an eligibility assessment. Below is a breakdown of the services, requirements, and costs.
For international students from accredited pharmacy programs in Australia or New Zealand, and pharmacists registered in New Zealand, the Eligibility Check and Skills Assessment Outcome are combined into a single payment for added convenience.
Service | Who Needs It? | Cost (INR) | Cost (USD) | Key Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eligibility Check | Pharmacists trained outside Australia, international pharmacy graduates (Australia/New Zealand), and New Zealand-registered pharmacists | ₹69,967 | $810 | Confirms eligibility for OPRA™ Exam and pharmacy practice in Australia. Non-refundable. |
Skills Assessment Outcome | Required for visa applications, provisional registration, and supervised practice approval | ₹25,908 | $300 | Mandatory for Department of Home Affairs & Pharmacy Board of Australia (PharmBA). Non-refundable. |
Updated Skills Assessment | Pharmacists with new qualifications since their last assessment | ₹52,847 | $610 | Updates prior eligibility records with new credentials. Non-refundable. |
Work Experience Reference (Optional) | Candidates applying for migration (specific streams only) | ₹17,297 | $200 | Assesses work history for migration applications. ❌ Not available for Knowledge & Competency Stream candidates. Non-refundable. |
If you wish to challenge a decision regarding your examination results or eligibility check, refer to the detailed Exams Appeals Policy for the necessary steps and fee structure.
If you wish to challenge a decision regarding your eligibility assessment or examination results, you can submit an appeal to the APC Appeals Panel.
Type of Appeal | When Applicable | Cost (AU$) |
---|---|---|
Appeal to APC Appeals Panel | For eligibility or exam result disputes | $750 per appeal |
To challenge a decision regarding your eligibility assessment or examination results, follow these steps:
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Appeals Process allows candidates to challenge the conditions under which an exam was conducted. It ensures fairness in assessing qualifications and competency for pharmacy practice in Australia.
The APC Appeals Process applies to candidates who wish to challenge the exam conditions for the following assessments conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) on behalf of the Pharmacy Board of Australia:
For eligibility criteria and submission guidelines, visit our APC Appeals Process page.
All requests should be submitted recorded as a hard copy utilizing one of the accompanying strategies:
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) aims to resolve appeals within 30 days of receiving a valid application. However, complex cases requiring additional information may take longer.
If the appeal is denied, the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) will provide a summary of the reasons for its decision. This decision is final and cannot be appealed further.
After receiving an appeal, the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) will:
The appeal will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Professional Services (EDPS) or their delegate. The decision reached will be final.
If new evidence could lead to appeal rejection, candidates will have an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.
If an appeal is successful, the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) may:
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) aims to resolve appeals within 30 days of receiving a valid application. However, complex cases requiring additional information may take longer.
In the event that an appeal is denied, the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) will provide an outline of the reasons for its decision. This decision is final and cannot be appealed further.
This policy defines the procedures for submitting, reviewing, and managing appeals related to the eligibility check phase of an Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) skills assessment. It ensures transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.
This policy applies to candidates who have submitted an eligibility check application to the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and received a decision. Outcomes are communicated via:
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) conducts skills assessments in compliance with DEWR Guidelines for Skilled Migration Assessing Authorities. Candidates who have received an eligibility check outcome have the right to formally appeal the decision as per these guidelines.
An internal review is conducted by a senior APC officer who was not involved in the original eligibility check. This process ensures the assessment was error-free and fairly administered.
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) will notify candidates of the review result in writing within 30 business days. If additional time is required, APC will provide a written update.
If dissatisfied with the internal review outcome, candidates may submit an external appeal.
The independent assessor will notify both the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and the applicant of the external appeal decision within 30 business days. If more time is required, a written explanation will be provided.
The external appeal decision will include:
Plan ahead with the Official Pharmacy Registration Assessment (OPRA™) exam schedule for 2025. Below are the available dates:
Exam Dates | Registration Period | Results Release Date |
---|---|---|
3 - 5 March 2025 | 9 Jan - 3 Feb 2025 | 1 April 2025 |
14 - 16 July 2025 | 8 April - 16 June 2025 | 12 August 2025 |
24 - 26 November 2025 | 19 Aug - 27 Oct 2025 | 22 December 2025 |
Complete your OPRA exam registration via the Candidate Portal.
Register early to secure your preferred test center!
Find a convenient test centre for your OPRA exam from the locations listed below:
Country | Cities with Test Centers |
---|---|
Argentina | Buenos Aires |
Australia | Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville |
Botswana | Gaborone |
Canada | Toronto |
Egypt | Cairo and surrounding areas, Giza |
Fiji | Suva |
Finland | Espoo, Helsinki |
Ghana | Legon |
Greece | Athens |
Hong Kong SAR | Hong Kong |
India | Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida, Pune |
Before registering, candidates must:
Need help choosing the right pathway? Check out:
For more details, visit our OPRA Exam Registration Page.
Secure your spot now! Register via the Candidate Portal.