Are you an Indian pharmacist dreaming of building a career in Australia? If so, you've likely heard about the OPRA exam for Indian pharmacists. But what exactly is it? Is it tough? How do you register for it from India? And more importantly, how do you prepare effectively?
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything Indian pharmacists need to know about the OPRA exam in 2025, from eligibility and registration to syllabus, preparation tips, coaching options, and even fees. Our goal? To make your OPRA journey seamless.
The OPRA exam is called Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment. It is an important exam that the Australian Pharmacy Council uses to evaluate overseas-trained pharmacists who wish to practice in Australia.
How’s it different from KAPS? You will only appear for one paper, that too for 2.5 hours with 120 questions, unlike the KAPS exam, where there were 2 papers of 100 questions each, making it a seamless experience.
Did you know… Australia has a shortage of pharmacists, and the organisations there are actively hiring qualified pharmacists from overseas. But before working as a pharmacist in Australia, you’ll need to crack the OPRA exam. And that’s where many get stuck, not due to a lack of capability, but due to a lack of information. This is exactly why we are here.
Let’s check your eligibility for the OPRA exam.
To be eligible for the OPRA exam, Indian pharmacists must:
Pharmacy graduate with an accredited degree in Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
Pharmacy registration from their respective state council of the home country
Have a good command of English (IELTS, OET, or PTE Academic accepted, check latest score requirements from APC).
Be able to provide official degree transcripts and documents.
Contact our OPRA exam team to check your eligibility over the phone so that you can confidently apply for the initial skills assessment.
In 2025, the OPRA exam is conducted thrice a year, typically in March, July and November. Early registration is advised, as slots fill up fast, especially for Indian candidates for the OPRA exam.
The OPRA exam fee structure includes several components:
Fee (AUD) | Fee (USD) | Fee (INR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Eligibility Check | $810 | $520 | ₹44,100 |
Skills Assessment Outcome | $300 | $190 | ₹16,100 |
Updated Skills Assessment (Optional) | $610 | $390 | ₹33,100 |
OPRA Exam | $2,190 | $1,410 | ₹1,19,000 |
Total (without optional update) | $3,300 | $2,130 | ₹1,81,500 |
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
Make sure to plan your finances carefully.
How do I apply for the OPRA exam from India? Here's a simple breakdown:
Submit your degree and registration documents to APC for initial skill assessment.
Once your documents are approved, you’ll receive an invitation to book the exam.
Complete the OPRA exam registration process via the official APC portal.
Pick your preferred centre and date. You may need to travel to a test centre in Australia or an approved international location through Pearson VUE in your home country.
Biomedical sciences
Medicinal chemistry
Biopharmaceutics
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacology
Toxicology
Therapeutics and patient care
Use APC’s official guidebooks, past questions, and OPRA pharmacy exam question banks.
The OPRA exam pattern for pharmacy professionals is as follows:
Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
Format: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Questions: 75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Passing Score: 60% (varies slightly)
Make sure to practice under timed conditions using the OPRA pharmacist exam mock tests.
Getting OPRA-ready isn’t just about reading; it’s about smart preparation. Here’s what works:
Look for OPRA exam study material for Indian pharmacists that covers both theory and practice. Some popular resources include:
Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
Therapeutic Guidelines
Shane Bullock’s Fundamentals of Pharmacology
Finding the best OPRA exam training institute in India can make all the difference. Reputed institutes offer:
Topic-wise video lectures
Weekly mock tests
Personalised feedback
Interview coaching (for registration steps post-OPRA)
If you’re working full-time or live far from metro cities, opt for an OPRA exam online preparation course from our expert team of academicians. We can help you with attending live sessions, webinars, mock tests, and doubt-solving sessions.
There are 120 questions in total that need to be solved in 2.5 hours, all MCQs, with no negative marking. It is conducted in Pearson VUE-approved computer-based testing centres worldwide. Make sure your time management is solid; you’ll need it.
Results are usually published 4 to 6 weeks after the exam. You can check your score on the APC portal using your login credentials. No paper results are sent.
Start Early: Begin preparation at least 4 to 6 months before the exam.
Revise Australian Guidelines: Focus on country-specific pharmaceutical law.
Simulate Exam Environment: Take full-length AI-based mock tests every week that follow the Rasch methodology of assessment.
Join Forums & Groups: Reddit, Telegram, and Facebook have active communities.
Stay Updated: APC often updates the syllabus and pattern. We keep updating our blog section on the OPRA Exam website based on APC’s guidelines and compliance.
Eligibility to register with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
Higher pay: AUD 80,000 to AUD 110,000 annually (Indian equivalent to a starting salary of 76 LPA to crores)
Easy access to permanent residency (PR) pathways
Global recognition and career mobility
So ask yourself:
Are you ready to take the first step toward an international pharmacy career?
Will 2025 be the year you pass OPRA and start a new chapter?
If yes, then begin your journey today with preparation, dedication, and a clear roadmap. Rest assured, you’ll always receive great tips, tricks and more when you contact our expert team of OPRA exam.
No, it’s not that tough. It solely depends on how you prepare. Enrol in the top coaching centre for OPRA and ensure they mentor you according to the APC standards, and also have AI-based mock tests that incorporate Rasch methodology to assess your skills.
Yes, you can. Pearson VUE facilitates this exam through OPRA exam centres in major cities in India.
You must have a B.Pharm or Pharm. D., be registered with the state council as a pharmacist (if you are already working), and meet English language requirements.
Once you clear OPRA and complete further steps, your AHPRA license must be renewed yearly.
Not technically, after clearing OPRA when you enrol into the internship programme, you also need to clear the Intern written exam and verbal ones to get a full time role as a pharmacist.
You will need:
Valid passport
Pharmacy degree certificate and transcripts
Proof of registration with the Pharmacy Council of India
English language proficiency test results (IELTS/OET/PTE)
Recent passport-size photo
Name change documents (if applicable)
For a full checklist, refer to our guide on the OPRA exam document requirements.
There is no limit on the number of attempts. However, you must pay the full exam fee every time you re-register. Most candidates pass within 1 to 2 attempts with proper preparation.
Your OPRA exam result is valid for 3 years from the date of result publication. During this time, you must complete further steps such as the internship and English proficiency test to apply for AHPRA registration.
No, work experience is not mandatory. But submitting evidence of internship or employment improves your application strength and understanding of real-world clinical pharmacy.
As of now, there are no official scholarships from APC or Australian bodies for OPRA. However, you can contact our OPRA exam team to offer discounts, scholarships or flexible payment plans for Indian students if you enrol in our coaching plan.
OPRA is the updated version of the old KAPS exam. It is more clinically focused and streamlined into a single-paper format, while KAPS had two separate papers earlier.
There is no fixed pass mark. The exam uses Rasch analysis, which scores your performance based on difficulty and ability. You'll receive a pass/fail notification, not a percentage or score.
Once you pass:
Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
Complete a 1575-hour supervised internship
Pass the Intern Written and Oral Exams
Apply for general registration with AHPRA
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