English Requirements for the OPRA Exam Explained

As an OPRA aspirant, you’re eyeing to be a part of the Australian healthcare system, which demands you to be proficient in English. This will help you converse better with the patients, understand their issues well and provide empathetic solutions. Therefore, you need to prove your proficiency to the testing authorities to make space for your career in the healthcare setup of the Land Down Under.

English proficiency forms an important part of the registration process in Australia for pharmacists or other healthcare professionals. In this blog, we’ll explain the English requirements for the OPRA exam and the overall registration process in Australia for pharmacists.

Understanding the English Requirements

To ensure effective communication between migrant healthcare professionals and patients, the Pharmacy Board of Australia expects proof of proficiency in the English language. By taking any of the exams below, you can prove your English excellence in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

• IELTS

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language examination that is universally recognised. You can take the IELTS exam from your home country to prove your English proficiency. The IELTS exam consists of four major components: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
To be accepted into the Australian healthcare system, you need to achieve a minimum overall score of 7 bands in IELTS Academic and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components mentioned above.

• OET

OET, or the Occupational Test of English , is another exam for assessing and proving English proficiency. While it is a lesser-known option, it is specially tailored for healthcare professionals. It is easy and straightforward, helping global healthcare professionals prove their excellence in English. OET is also regarded as the leading English proficiency test for healthcare professionals.
As a pharmacist, you must obtain a minimum score of 350 out of 500 or Grade B in all four subtests: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

• PTE

PTE, or Pearson Test of English, is another famous exam that helps migrant aspirants prove their excellence in the English language. It is easy and a top choice for global professionals looking to migrate to English-speaking countries.
To be accepted as an eligible candidate, you must obtain a minimum overall score of 65 with no communicative skills score below 65.
Overall, if you find IELTS a daunting exam, you can take OET or PTE, which are comparatively easy to pass.

NOTE: English proficiency is not required to take the OPRA exam. However, it is an important part of the registration and visa process. Therefore, you can take the English proficiency test before or after the OPRA examination.

Importance of English Proficiency

• Helps You Adjust Better in an English Speaking Country

Australia has a multi-cultural setup. But what binds them and allows them to live together is the English language. Therefore, proficiency in English is quintessential when planning to migrate to an English-speaking country like Australia.

• Allows You to Provide Better Patient Care

You definitely want to understand your patients and their requirements better so that you can offer them the best guidance. For that, you must have good communication skills. This will help you offer them medication and treatment support with compassion and empathy.

• Opens Up New Horizons for Your Pharmacy Career

Once you are proficient in English, your pharmacy career knows no bounds. You can achieve great heights in your career in Australia or even other great countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, etc. Good communication skills are essential if you seek growth in your pharmacy career overseas.

About the OPRA Exam

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment is the exam conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Clearing this exam helps global pharmacists prove their excellence and readiness to practice in the Australian healthcare system. The OPRA exam for pharmacists is an important part of the licensing process for pharmacists in Australia.

Completing the OPRA exam not only makes you eligible for a fulfilling pharmacy career in Australia but also makes you eligible to take your career to other countries like New Zealand, the Gulf countries, and more. Overall, this examination provides you access to an array of opportunities to uplift your pharmacy career around the globe.

Parting Thoughts

Proving English proficiency is an essential part of the Australian registration and migration process. Therefore, you must plan ahead for the same, finalising the aptest examination and preparing for the same. You can take support from a coaching or preparatory course, which can help you prepare with expert help and crack your preferred exam on the very first attempt.

To begin with, you need to assess your proficiency in English and the format and difficulty level of the exams mentioned above. While the IELTS is a globally recognised examination, it might be tough to pass. PTE and OET, on the other hand, offer a smoother alternative, especially for healthcare professionals.

Book a FREE counselling session with our experts to understand which exam suits your needs and your proficiency requirements.

Also Read: OPRA VS PEBC For Global Pharmacists

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I take the OPRA exam without taking any English exam?

Yes, you can take the OPRA exam without taking any English exam. However, to complete the OPRA and the APC registration process and become a pharmacist in Australia, you need to clear an English proficiency examination.

• What is the IELTS score required for the OPRA exam?

You need to clear the IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7 bands and individual 7 bands in each component to be eligible for APC registration.

• Which are the best English proficiency exams for pharmacists taking OPRA?

IELTS is a common yet difficult exam for OPRA aspirants. On the other hand, PTE and OET are easy yet effective exams for healthcare professionals like pharmacists and so are recommended for OPRA aspirants.