According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are over 8.6 million international employees in the country as of June 2024. Hence, it is pretty much clear through the numbers how accepting Australia is, in terms of work opportunities for employees from other countries. Are you an overseas pharmacist setting your eyes on Australia? Often it’s been found people are confused with the requirements. As you know, that overseas qualified pharmacists need to qualify OPRA exam in order to work as a full time pharmacist in Australia. You're definitely not the only one scratching your head over this! 

Don’t worry! In this blog, you’ll get to know a roadmap to OPRA exam eligibility requirements and how fulfilling it will make your path towards pharmacy registration easier in Australia.

The OPRA exam assesses your readiness to work in an Australian healthcare setting as a professional pharmacist. Earlier known as KAPS, the remodelled version is quite different than the former version. You get to learn about pharmacy setting in Australia, clinical practice, therapeutics, patient care in a practical world setting. Plus, there’s no problem of solving 2 different papers as the remodelled version is combined into just 1 paper with 120 questions.

Are you eligible for the exam? Lets get to know more.

Now, let’s answer the main question:

What is the OPRA exam eligibility?

• You must have passed B.Pharm/Pharm.D/M.Pharm from a recognised university

• If you are an overseas pharmacist, you should have a licensure from your state pharmacy council of home country.

Tip: You can verify your degree equivalency via the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).

English Language Proficiency:

Pharmacy in Australia involves patient interaction, you need to demonstrate strong English skills. Choose one of the following:

According to APC data (2024), over 80% of OPRA applicants meet the English criteria via IELTS.

Initial Skill Assessment:

All OPRA applicants must undergo an Initial Skills Assessment with the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). This confirms the suitability of your qualifications before you can proceed to the OPRA exam registration.

1. Get Your Documents Ready: Degree certificate, transcript, proof of English proficiency.

2. Submit to APC: Apply for a Skills Assessment via the APC portal.

3. Wait for Approval: This process may take 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the volume.

4. Register for the OPRA Exam once your eligibility is confirmed.

Did you know? Some candidates mistakenly think they can directly register for the OPRA pharmacist exam without an APC skills check. Don't skip this! It's mandatory.

The OPRA syllabus 2025 has been updated to reflect evolving healthcare needs in Australia. Here’s a breakdown:

Key Areas:

• Biomedical sciences

• Medicinal chemistry

• Biopharmaceutics

• Pharmacokinetics

• Pharmacodynamics

• Pharmacology

• Toxicology

• Therapeutics and patient care

Looking for OPRA exam books? Some of the best resources include:

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)

• Therapeutic Guidelines

• Shane Bullock’s Fundamentals of Pharmacology

Refer to the OPRA exam sample questions and answers to get a fair idea what to expect on the examination.

Bonus Tip:

APC now recommends the inclusion of indigenous healthcare practices and telehealth ethics in 2025. Be sure to review the latest APC guidelines!

Let’s talk numbers. Here’s what fees you’ll need to pay as part of the OPRA journey:

Note: INR values are based on the 2025 exchange rate of 1 AUD ≈ ₹54 and 1 USD ≈ ₹84.

Fees for documentation, visa, study materials or if you decide to take an OPRA exam coaching programme, will vary.

Thinking of scheduling your test? Here are tentative OPRA exam dates for 2025 (subject to APC official release):

Visit the official OPRA Australia website for real-time updates.

This is a very unique exam that does not have a passing mark. Yes you heard it right. You are solely judged based on your capabilities. The questions even adjust according to your skills during the exam. At the end you receive a result where you’re being said as qualified or not. There aren’t any scores or grades to judge you.

We do not recommend self study only, for an exam of this gravity. You should 100% take coaching from professional mentors. Our OPRA exam team has academicians of 12+ years of expertise. Contact us and we will provide you a preparation plan tailored to your career.

Did you pass your OPRA exam? Congrats! Now you have to gear up for the next steps:

1. Apply to AHPRA: That’s the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency who will provide you the licensure/registration to work in Australia as a full time pharmacist

2. Submit your registration documents.

3. Undergo background checks.

4. Receive your registration certificate.

You are now officially registered to practice as a pharmacist in Australia!

If you’ve completed a pharmacy degree outside Australia, have strong English skills, and pass the APC skills assessment, you are eligible for the OPRA exam. Be prepared for practical way of preparation. This isn’t an exam that can be cleared with memorisation. Read the best books, get the best coaching, and clear the exam with right mindset. The journey to becoming a pharmacist in Australia is tough, but totally worth it. 

So, are you ready to join thousands of globally trained professionals and take the leap into the Australian pharmacy world?