What a pharmacist trained abroad needs to register in Australia
Read from the regulator's own documents. Each step shows what it costs, who usually pays, and the date we last checked it. Enter your details and we tell you which of these you already meet.
Pharmacy Board registration via the Knowledge Stream (OPRA exam and an internship)
The APC eligibility check, the OPRA exam, English evidence, then provisional registration and a year of supervised practice with the intern exams, then general registration.
- 1Pharmacy degree equivalent to four years' full-time study (three years if completed before 2006)
- 2APC eligibility check (AUD 810; within five working days of the documents; no expiry)~4 weeks · ~AUD 810 · you pay · Source ↗
- 3English (Ahpra standard): IELTS 7 overall with 6.5 writing and 7 elsewhere; OET 350 (360 in reading and speaking); PTE 63; TOEFL 91; two sittings within 12 months may be combined; valid two yearsyou pay · Source ↗
- 4Pass the OPRA exam (AUD 2,245 per attempt; 120 questions in two and a half hours)~16 weeks · ~AUD 2,245 · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Provisional registration and a year of supervised practice (internship), with the Intern Written Exam (AUD 790) and the Board's oral exam~52 weeks · ~AUD 790 · you pay · Source ↗
- 6General registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Pharmacy Board registration via the Competency Stream (CAOP exam; Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA)
For pharmacists with a recognised degree from Canada, Ireland, the UK or the USA and current registration there. The APC eligibility check, the CAOP exam, English evidence, then limited registration with a shorter supervised practice and the Board's assessment, then general registration.
- 1Recognised pharmacy degree from Canada, Ireland, the UK or the USA with current registration there
- 2APC eligibility check (AUD 810)~4 weeks · ~AUD 810 · you pay · Source ↗
- 3English (Ahpra standard): IELTS 7 overall with 6.5 writing and 7 elsewhere; OET 350 (360 in reading and speaking); PTE 63; TOEFL 91; or an English-medium degree and schooling in a recognised countryyou pay · Source ↗
- 4Pass the CAOP exam (AUD 2,100 per attempt)~16 weeks · ~AUD 2,100 · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Limited registration and the shorter supervised practice the Board sets, then its assessment after 75% of the hours~26 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 6General registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Rules checked 23 Oct 2026 · outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · Privacy · Terms