Do You Need to Pass the OPRA Exam After Completing an MPharm in Australia?
Do You Need to Pass the OPRA Exam After Completing an MPharm in Australia?
Australia is well known among students who want to have a career in pharmacy. If you're considering pursuing a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) in Australia, you might be wondering whether you need to pass the Overseas Pharmacists Registration Assessment (OPRA) exam to practice as a pharmacist. The answer is no—if you complete an MPharm from Australia, you do not need to take the OPRA exam. Instead, you will follow a different registration pathway through the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
MPharm in Australia: Eligibility and Admission Requirements
To apply for a Master of Pharmacy in Australia, students must meet the following requirements:
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
- English Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.5 (for admission), 7.0 (for registration).
- Equivalent scores in PTE or OET are also accepted.
Cost of Studying MPharm in Australia
The tuition fees for an MPharm in Australia range between 72,614 AUD – 90,767.50 AUD (approximately ₹40–50 lakhs), depending on the university and location.
Top Accredited Universities offering MPharm in Australia
| University Name | Campus Location | Duration | Program Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Darwin University | Darwin, NT | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| Griffith University | Gold Coast, QLD | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| The University of Sydney | Camperdown, NSW | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| The University of Western Australia | Crawley, WA | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| University of Canberra | Canberra, ACT | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
| University of Technology Sydney | Ultimo, NSW | 2 years | Master of Pharmacy |
Registration Process After Completing MPharm in Australia
After earning your MPharm degree, you must complete the following steps to become a registered pharmacist in Australia:
- Internship Year: You must complete a supervised internship (typically 1 year), working under a registered pharmacist.
- Internship Written & Oral Exams: You must pass two key exams conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC):
- Intern Written Exam
- Oral Examination
- Apply for General Registration: Once you pass your exams and complete the required supervised practice hours, you can apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
Who Needs the OPRA Exam?
The OPRA exam is only required for overseas-trained pharmacists (those who obtained their pharmacy degree outside Australia). If you have an MPharm degree from Australia, you are exempt from taking the OPRA exam.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, if you have completed an M.Pharm from Australia, you don’t need to take the OPRA exam. You can directly register as a pharmacist after completing your M.Pharm.
Yes, an Australian M.Pharm degree is recognised in New Zealand via the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA). Pharmacists registered in Australia can work in New Zealand under this act.
After clearing M.Pharm, you need to apply for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. After this, you may also need to apply for a visa with the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
In terms of cost and time involved, the OPRA exam is a better alternative than M.Pharm. However, in terms of visa and ease of process, M.Pharm is a better option.
Yes, taking the OPRA exam while pursuing an M.Pharm can be a great alternative as it can help you register as a pharmacist in Australia without any visa troubles.