If you’re an overseas-trained pharmacist dreaming of a career in Australia, the OPRA Exam (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) is your gateway to making that dream a reality.
Administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), this exam is a crucial step in proving that your knowledge and clinical skills meet Australia’s professional pharmacy standards. This process is important because when you register for OPRA exam through Australian Pharmacy Council, you are formally beginning your pathway toward practising in Australia. Whether you’re preparing for the November 2025 OPRA Exam or planning ahead for March 2026, this updated guide will walk you through the full registration process — step by step.
Step 1: Understand What the OPRA Exam Is
The OPRA Exam replaced the old KAPS Exam in 2025. It’s designed to evaluate whether overseas-qualified pharmacists are ready to practise safely in Australia.
Exam at a glance:
Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Questions: 120
Duration: 2.5 hours
Location: The OPRA exam is available at multiple testing locations around the world, making it convenient for candidates from different regions to take the test. In India, the OPRA exam is conducted at 10 designated test centers, located in major cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Pune, among others. The OPRA exam for pharmacist is conducted by APC Australia, ensuring global consistency and high professional standards.
A pass in the OPRA Exam grants you a Skills Assessment Outcome, which you’ll need to apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
Step 2: Check If You’re Eligible
Before you can register for the OPRA Exam, you must complete the eligibility (skills assessment) stage through the APC.
You’re eligible;
- If you hold a pharmacy qualification from a country other than Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Canada, or the USA
- If you are registered (or eligible for registration) as a pharmacist in your home country
- If you Completed a minimum of four years of tertiary pharmacy education
Documents you’ll need:
Pharmacy degree certificate and transcript
Proof of current or past registration
Valid passport or ID
English language test results (if required)
You’ll apply through the APC Candidate Portal and pay the eligibility fee (about AUD 810). Processing usually takes 4–6 weeks.
Once approved, you’ll receive your Skills Assessment Eligibility Letter, which allows you to book the OPRA Exam.
Step 3: Choose Your Exam Window
The APC holds the OPRA Exam three times per year — in March, July, and November.
The November 2025 OPRA Exam window is happening soon — November 24–26, 2025.
Registration for this sitting is already closed, but don’t worry — the next OPRA Exam will be in March 2026.
So if you’ve just received your eligibility letter, the March 2026 exam is the perfect target for you.
Step 4: Register for the OPRA Exam
Once you’re eligible, you can register through the APC Candidate Portal.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step
- Visit the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Candidate Portal and either log in or create a new account.
- Start your process by completing the Eligibility Check section within the portal.
- Provide all the required supporting documents by uploading them to your application.
- Pay the applicable fees for the Eligibility Check, Skills Assessment, and OPRA exam directly through the portal’s payment system. – currently AUD 2,190.
- Once you receive an email confirmation of eligibility from the APC, return to the Candidate Portal to proceed with your exam registration.
- Choose your preferred exam date and book a seat at an approved testing center.
Step 5: Start Preparing Early
Preparation is everything for OPRA success. The exam tests not only your scientific knowledge but also your ability to apply it in real clinical situations.
OPRA Exam content breakdown:
Therapeutics & Patient Care: 45%
Biomedical Sciences: 20%
Pharmacology & Toxicology: 15%
Medicinal Chemistry & Biopharmaceutics: 10%
Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: 10%
Study recommendations:
Review the OPRA Exam Guide and sample questions on the APC website.
Study from the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) and Therapeutic Guidelines.
Join OPRA study groups or enrol in a structured OPRA preparation course.
Practise answering MCQs under timed conditions.
If you start studying now, you’ll have about four months to prepare before the March 2026 exam window — plenty of time to build confidence.
Step 6: Sit for the Exam
On exam day:
Arrive early at your test centre.
Bring valid ID (the same one used for registration).
Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
You’ll have 2.5 hours to complete 120 multiple-choice questions. Pace yourself — spend about one minute per question and mark any uncertain ones to revisit later.
Step 7: Get Your Results
The APC releases exam results around 4–6 weeks after the exam window ends. You’ll receive an email when your result is ready in the portal.
Results are given as Pass or Fail:
If you pass, you’ll receive your Skills Assessment Outcome and can move on to provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
If you don’t pass, don’t panic. You can reattempt the exam in the next sitting (e.g., July 2026).
Step 8: After Passing OPRA
Passing the OPRA Exam is just the beginning! Here’s what comes next:
- Apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
- Complete supervised practice (internship) in an approved pharmacy.
- Pass the intern written and oral exams.
- Apply for general registration to practise independently.
Once you’re fully registered, you can work as a licensed pharmacist anywhere in Australia.
Registering for the OPRA Exam through the Australian Pharmacy Council can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step makes it completely manageable. When you register for OPRA exam through Australian Pharmacy Council, each stage becomes clearer and more structured, helping you stay on track.
Each step brings you closer to your goal of becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia. Stay organised, study smart, and keep an eye on www.pharmacycouncil.org.au for official updates. Remember, the OPRA exam for pharmacist is conducted by APC Australia, so always rely on their official announcements and timelines.
