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How to Get AHPRA Registration After Clearing the OPRA Exam?

Congratulations on successfully clearing the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam. This achievement marks a significant milestone on your journey toward becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.

However, passing the OPRA exam is just the beginning. To legally practice as a pharmacist in Australia, you must complete the full registration process with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This guide provides a detailed overview of every step—from OPRA success to general registration—and highlights how Elite Expertise can support you along the way.

What is the OPRA Exam?

The OPRA exam, conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), is designed for overseas-trained pharmacists. Its goal is to assess whether your knowledge, skills, and competencies align with those expected of Australian pharmacy graduates.

Exam Format:

Multiple-choice questions in pharmaceutical sciences

Clinical case scenarios in therapeutics, law, and ethics

Pharmacy practice assessments relevant to Australian standards

Once you pass, you become eligible to apply for provisional registration with AHPRA.

Step-by-Step Pathway After Passing OPRA

1. Apply for Provisional Registration

After receiving your OPRA result and a positive skills assessment from the APC, the next step is to apply for provisional registration with AHPRA. This allows you to begin your supervised practice in Australia.

Required Documents:

Certified passport and proof of identity

Academic transcripts and degree certificates

CV outlining pharmacy-related experience

English language proficiency test results (IELTS or OET)

Certificate of Good Standing from your home country's pharmacy council

International Criminal History Check (ICHC)

AHPRA application form and payment of relevant fees

2. Start Supervised Practice (Internship)

Once granted provisional registration, you must complete 1,575 hours (approximately 12 months full-time) of supervised practice in an approved pharmacy setting.

Key Points:

You’ll be mentored by a registered Australian pharmacist

All practice hours must be logged using the Pharmacy Board’s online system

You'll gain hands-on experience in dispensing, legal compliance, patient care, and clinical decision-making

3. Enrol in an Intern Training Program (ITP)

While completing your supervised practice, you must enrol in an Intern Training Program approved by the APC. This program ensures you're well-prepared to practise independently in Australia.

The Program Covers:

Pharmacy law and ethics

Effective communication with patients and healthcare teams

Clinical reasoning and decision-making

Therapeutic case study analysis

Preparation for the intern exams

Recommended providers include the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Monash University, and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

4. Pass the Intern Exams

After completing your supervised practice and the ITP, you will need to pass two exams:

Intern Written Exam: Includes clinical scenarios, legal standards, ethical practices, and pharmacy operations

Oral Examination: A structured clinical interview or real-world case-based discussion

These exams are conducted by the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and passing both is mandatory for full registration.

5. Apply for General Registration

Upon passing your exams and completing all training requirements, you can apply for general registration with AHPRA.

Required Documents:

Proof of 1,575 hours of supervised practice

Results from both intern exams

Completion certificate from your ITP

Updated criminal history check

Updated Certificate of Good Standing, if necessary

Once approved, you will be officially registered as a fully licensed pharmacist in Australia and can practise independently.

How Elite Expertise Supports Your Registration Journey

Becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia as an overseas graduate can seem complex. This is where Elite Expertise comes in.

Founded by experienced pharmacists Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu and Mr. Arief Mohammad, Elite Expertise provides tailored support for pharmacists aiming to practise in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland.

What Elite Expertise Offers:

Structure for the OPRA exam preparation

through live and recorded sessions

Assistance with document preparation and AHPRA applications

Mentorship from licensed pharmacists who have gone through the same process

Mock exams and real-world case practice

Ongoing guidance and emotional support throughout your journey

Elite Expertise goes beyond academic coaching—it offers end-to-end support to help you succeed both during the registration process and in your future pharmacy career.

Additional Considerations for Working in Australia

Visa Sponsorship: Once you hold provisional or general registration, you may be eligible for a Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or an Employer-Sponsored Visa (subclass 482).

Professional Indemnity Insurance: It is a legal requirement that all practising pharmacists hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance coverage.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD): To maintain registration, you must complete 40 CPD credits annually through professional education and training.

Conclusion

Clearing the OPRA exam is a commendable accomplishment, but it’s just the first step. The journey to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia includes provisional registration, supervised practice, intern training, and final exams. Although the process is detailed and rigorous, it equips you with the clinical skills and confidence required to excel in the Australian healthcare system.

With proper planning, structured support, and guidance from a reliable platform like Elite Expertise, this journey becomes more manageable. Elite Expertise not only prepares you academically but also provides personal mentorship and stress-free navigation of each administrative step.

By investing in your preparation today, you set yourself up for a rewarding pharmacy career in Australia.