How to Be a Pharmacist in Australia

So, you want to work as a pharmacist in Australia. Maybe you’ve already got a pharmacy degree from back home, or maybe you’re still studying and planning ahead. Either way, the path to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia is clear once you break it down.

Here’s how the exam really works and how the OPRA exam is a big part of it.

Step One: Understand What the OPRA Exam Is

If you didn’t graduate from Australia or New Zealand, you’ll need to take the OPRA exam. That’s short for Overseas Pharmacy Registration Assessment. It’s run by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and it’s one of the key steps to getting licensed.

The exam isn’t just about theory. It’s more about how you’d work in a real pharmacy setting in Australia—handling prescriptions, talking to patients, following the law, and making safe decisions.

Who Needs to Take It?

If you studied pharmacy outside of Australia (India, the Philippines, etc.), this is for you.

Before you can take the exam, you need to:

• Get your pharmacy degree assessed by APC
• Provide proof of pharmacy registration in your home country
• Pass an approved English test (IELTS, OET, or PTE)
• Wait for your skills assessment to be approved

Once that’s done, you’ll be eligible to sit for the OPRA test.

What’s on the OPRA Exam? (OPRA Exam Syllabus)

The OPRA exam syllabus focuses on stuff you’ll actually use on the job:

• Pharmacy law (Australia-specific)
• Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
• Patient safety and counseling
• Prescription review
• Drug interactions, contraindications
• Calculations (yep, some math too)

It’s not about memorizing drug names—it’s about applying your knowledge safely and legally.

OPRA Exam Format and Style

It’s not a multiple-choice test. The OPRA exam uses:

• Case scenarios
• Clinical problems
• Role-play-style questions
• Judgment-based answers
• Possibly a mix of oral and written tasks

You might be asked how you’d respond to a patient, how you’d handle a tricky prescription, or what you’d do if there was a legal issue. It’s all real-life stuff.

OPRA Exam Dates and Schedule 2025

The OPRA exam schedule for 2025 hasn’t been fully released yet, but historically, the exam is held 2–3 times a year—usually around March, July, and October.

You’ll want to check the APC website early in the year to confirm the official OPRA exam dates 2025 and registration deadlines. The window to apply is usually tight, so don’t wait too long once registration opens.

Where Can You Take the Exam? (OPRA Exam Centres in India)

Good news—if you’re still in India, you don’t have to travel all the way to Australia to take it.

There are OPRA exam centres in major cities like:

• Hyderabad
• Mumbai
• Delhi
• Sometimes Bangalore

You’ll pick your preferred location when you register. Just make sure you book early because spots can fill quickly.

How Do You Prepare? (Study Material, Books & Mock Tests)

The best way to get ready is to treat this like you’re training for real pharmacy work—not just an exam.

Here’s what most people use for OPRA exam study material:

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
• Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG)
• Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics – Walker
• Pharmaceutical Calculations – Ansel
• Law & ethics notes (often included in coaching packages)

If you’re asking about the best OPRA exam book, those four above are more than enough. You don’t need a dozen books. Just study them well.

Also, look for OPRA exam mock tests online. These are usually shared in Telegram or Facebook groups, or offered by coaching centers. Practicing with a real OPRA question paper (or something close to it) helps you get used to the style and pressure of the test.

Do You Need Coaching?

Some people prefer to study on their own, others go for OPRA exam coaching in India. Cities like Kochi, Delhi, and Hyderabad have training programs that focus on:

• Case scenarios
• Communication practice
• Pharmacy law
• Mock interviews
• Real-time feedback

Coaching can help if you want structure or aren’t confident with law or speaking. That said, many people pass without it—just using books and mock tests.

After You Pass the OPRA Exam

Passing OPRA isn’t the final step. After that, you’ll need to:

1. Do a 12-month internship under a registered pharmacist in Australia (about 1,800 hours)
2. Pass a written and oral intern exam
3. Apply for full registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia

Then—and only then—you’re officially a licensed pharmacist in Australia.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking how to be a pharmacist in Australia, it starts with getting your degree approved and ends with passing the OPRA, finishing your internship, and getting that license.

The test isn’t easy. But if you prep smart, understand what they’re looking for, and take the time to study law, ethics, and clinical reasoning—you’ll get through it.

Plenty of international pharmacists have done it before you. Now it’s your turn.