Becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia as an overseas graduate involves a multi-stage process managed by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA), which operates under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This journey is divided into three main phases: Skills Assessment/Eligibility, Provisional Registration and Visa, and Supervised Practice and General Registration.

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Phase 1: Skills Assessment and Eligibility

This phase confirms that your overseas pharmacy qualifications and skills are comparable to Australian standards.

Gather Primary Documents

Collect all necessary personal and academic documents. This typically includes your pharmacy degree certificate, academic transcripts, proof of identification (passport), and professional documentation, such as proof of registration in your home country.²

Document Translation & Notarization

If your documents aren’t in English, they must be translated by an accredited translator. All copies of your primary documents must be formally notarized (certified) as true copies by an authorized person, such as a notary public or justice of the peace.

Create APC Account

Register on the official Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) website to create your individual account. This is the portal you’ll use for the entire skills assessment process.

Submit for Eligibility Check

Submit your gathered and certified documents through your APC account. The APC will assess your qualifications against the current Australian educational standards.

Receive Eligibility Outcome

The APC will inform you whether you are eligible to proceed to the next stage of the skills assessment process, which is the competency examination.

Book OPRA Exam

The first required exam is the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment (OPRA) exam (formerly the KAPS exam). You must book a date for this written assessment after receiving a positive eligibility outcome.

Prepare for OPRA Exam

The OPRA exam tests your knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy. Dedicate time to studying the core areas, including pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmaceutics, and law relevant to pharmacy practice in Australia.

Sit OPRA Exam

Attend and sit the official OPRA exam. This is usually administered internationally at designated testing centers.

Receive OPRA Results

The APC will issue your results. A pass is required to move forward in the skills assessment process.

Book English Language Test

You must demonstrate competency in English. Book one of the approved English language tests, such as IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.

Sit English Language Test

Attend and sit the chosen English language test, ensuring you meet the minimum required score as set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)/AHPRA.

Receive English Test Results

Get your official results. These results must be valid at the time of your registration application.

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Phase 2: Provisional Registration and Visa

Once your skills are assessed, you can apply for provisional registration and begin the migration process.

Apply for Provisional Registration

With a successful OPRA result and valid English test scores, you can apply to the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)/AHPRA for Provisional Registration. This allows you to undertake supervised practice.

Complete Criminal History Check

As part of the registration process, you must submit to a national criminal history check and disclose any relevant history from other countries.

Receive Provisional Registration Grant

Once approved, the PBA grants you Provisional Registration, which is mandatory before you can begin your internship.

Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

To apply for a relevant skilled migration visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system. You’ll need a successful APC Skills Assessment (which is issued after passing OPRA®) for this step.

Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your points score is sufficient and/or a state/territory government nominates you, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a skilled visa (e.g., subclass 189, 190, or 491).

Gather Visa Documentation

Prepare all the documents required for your visa application, including identity, character, and health documents, along with your skills assessment and professional registration proof.

Lodge Visa Application

Submit your formal visa application to the Department of Home Affairs within the timeframe specified in your ITA.

Complete Visa Health Examination

Undergo the required medical and radiological examinations by a panel doctor to meet the visa health requirements.

Receive Visa Grant

Upon successful processing, you will be granted your Australian visa, allowing you to enter or remain in Australia and commence your internship.

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Phase 3: Supervised Practice and General Registration

This phase involves the mandatory internship and final examinations before achieving full registration.

Enroll in an Intern Training Program (ITP)

You must enroll in an Accredited Intern Training Program (ITP) provided by an approved university or college in Australia.

Secure an Internship Position

Search for and secure an approved supervised practice position in a pharmacy (community or hospital). This placement must be with an approved preceptor (supervising pharmacist).

Submit for Preceptor & Premises Approval

The pharmacy premises and the supervising pharmacist (preceptor) must be formally approved by the PBA before you commence work.

Commence Supervised Practice

Begin your official period of supervised practice under your Provisional Registration.

Complete Supervised Practice Hours

You must complete a minimum of 1824 hours of supervised practice over a period of usually 12 months, as per the PBA requirements.

Book Intern Written Exam

After meeting specific requirements in your internship, book your final Intern Written Examination with the APC.

Sit Intern Written Exam

Sit the Written Examination, which assesses your application of knowledge in a pharmacy practice setting.

Receive Written Exam Results

Receive your results. A pass is required to be eligible for the final oral exam.

Book Intern Oral Exam

Book your final, in-person Intern Oral (or Viva) Examination with the PBA/AHPRA.

Sit Intern Oral Exam

Sit the Oral Examination, which assesses your professional judgment, ethical behavior, and communication skills through scenarios.

Receive Oral Exam Results

Receive your final results. A pass in both the written and oral exams is necessary to apply for General Registration.

Apply for General Registration

With your completed ITP, supervised hours, and successful examination results, apply to the PBA/AHPRA for General Registration.

Receive General Registration Grant

The PBA grants you General Registration, officially certifying you as a fully qualified pharmacist in Australia.

Maintain CPD

To maintain your General Registration, you must fulfill ongoing requirements, including completing mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours each year and renewing your registration annually.