If you’re from India and thinking about working in Australia as a pharmacist, you’re definitely not alone. That question—how can I become a pharmacist in Australia—comes up all the time. I too, had the same doubts.

The answer? It’s not one-step easy, but it’s also not impossible. You just need to know the path. Once you’ve got it laid out, it’s actually pretty doable.

Here’s the version I wish someone had given me when I first started figuring it all out.

Yes. 100% possible. Pharmacists are on Australia’s skilled occupation list, which means they’re actively looking for qualified people. But here’s the deal—you can’t just land and start working. You’ve gotta go through a few official steps first.

You’ll start with a skills assessment through the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). They’ll look at your pharmacy degree and whether you’re registered in India.

You’ll need to submit:

• Your pharmacy degree

• Proof of registration with the Pharmacy Council of India

• English test results (like IELTS, OET, or PTE)—you’ll need decent scores across all parts

If APC approves your application, you’re eligible to move forward. That’s when the exam part begins.

This is the big one. The OPRA exam (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) is one of the key hurdles. It’s not your typical multiple-choice test. This one focuses on real-life pharmacy practice—how you communicate with patients, how you respond to situations, how you apply laws, and how safe your decisions are.

The OPRA exam checks:

• Your ability to speak with patients and give advice

• How you handle prescriptions

• Knowledge of Australian pharmacy law and ethics

• Clinical decisions

• Basic calculations and safe supply of medicines

The format? It’s usually a mix of written and oral tasks, built around case-based scenarios.

To prep, I used stuff like:

• Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by Walker

• Pharmaceutical Calculations by Ansel

• AMH (Australian Medicines Handbook)

• Therapeutic Guidelines (eTag)

• Sample OPRA-style case questions shared in study groups (Telegram, Facebook, etc.)

Some people take coaching classes, others self-study. I did a mix of both. You’ll find coaching centers in India that offer mock sessions and law prep.

Also—no need to fly to Australia just yet. You can sit the OPRA exam in India. There are exam centres in cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.

After passing OPRA, you’re not a full pharmacist yet—but you’re close.

You’ll now need to complete supervised practice in Australia. That’s your internship year, where you work under a registered pharmacist and learn how everything runs there.

During this time, you’re registered as a provisional pharmacist. You’re allowed to work—but always under supervision. You’ll need to complete 1,824 hours minimum.

It’s actually a great part of the journey. You gain hands-on experience, adjust to the system, and yes—you get paid while you’re learning.

After finishing your internship, there are two final exams:

• A written exam on pharmacy law and professional practice in Australia

• An oral exam or practical assessment, where you walk through case scenarios or answer questions

Once you clear both, you’re officially eligible for general registration. That’s when you can apply for pharmacist jobs across Australia without restrictions.

You’ll need a visa to actually go through the internship and work in Australia. Most people follow one of these paths:

• Student visa, if you go through a university-linked intern program

• Temporary work visa, if a pharmacy is willing to sponsor you

• Skilled migration visa (like subclass 190 or 491), after your skills assessment is approved

The most common route is:
Skills assessment → OPRA exam → internship → full registration → PR
It takes time, yeah, but it’s solid and works for a lot of people.

If you’re sitting there wondering, “how do I become a pharmacist in Australia from India?”, here’s the honest answer: it’s a step-by-step path.

You get your qualifications checked, pass the OPRA exam, do your internship, pass your final assessments, and then you’re in. It’s not overnight—but it’s totally doable.

Plenty of pharmacists from India have already done it and are now working in hospitals, clinics, or running their own pharmacies in Australia. Some even go on to become clinical pharmacists or move into public health roles.

You’ve already done the hard part—you became a pharmacist. Now, you’re just figuring out how to level up and take that to the next stage. Be consistent. Follow the process. And you’ll get there.