Pathway To Australia For Pakistani Pharmacist
A Pakistani pharmacist is generally eligible to apply for a license in Australia, and provisional registration is a key part of the process.
Here’s a breakdown of the pathway and the role of provisional registration:
Pathway for Pakistani Pharmacists to Practice in Australia:
The general pathway for overseas-trained pharmacists (including those from Pakistan) seeking to practice in Australia involves several steps, primarily managed by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and the Pharmacy Board of Australia (Ahpra):
Skills Assessment (Eligibility Check):
You need to submit your qualifications and other documents to the APC for an eligibility check. Your pharmacy degree must be from a recognized institution and meet Australian standards in terms of academic study (e.g., 4 years full-time if completed after January 1, 2006).
You’ll need to provide certified copies of your degree, transcripts, identity documents (passport, birth certificate), and proof of your pharmacist registration in Pakistan.
English Language Proficiency:
You must demonstrate proficiency in English by taking an approved test such as IELTS (Academic Module with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or 7.5 overall in some cases), OET (Occupational English Test – minimum B in each component), PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.
OPRA Exam (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment):
This is a crucial step. The OPRA exam (which replaced the KAPS exam) assesses your knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and Australian healthcare settings. You must pass this exam to be eligible for the next steps.
The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) Exam Structure.
1.Single Paper: Unlike its predecessor (KAPS), the OPRA exam consists of a single paper.
2.Computer-Based: It is delivered as a closed-book, computer-based exam at approved test centers worldwide (including Pakistan).
3.Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs): The exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions, each with a single best answer. There is no negative marking.
Duration: You have 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) to complete the exam.
Provisional Registration:
Proovisional registration is available and required. Once you’ve successfully completed the skills assessment and passed the OPRA exam, you can apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia (through Ahpra).
Provisional registration allows you to undertake a period of approved supervised practice (internship) in Australia. You cannot commence supervised practice without this registration.
Supervised Practice (Internship):
You will need to complete a minimum number of supervised practice hours (typically 1575 hours) under a licensed pharmacist in an approved site. You may also need to enroll in an approved Intern Training Program (ITP).
Intern Written and Oral Examinations:
Towards the end of your supervised practice, you will need to pass both a written and an oral examination conducted by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
General Registration:
After successfully completing all the above steps, including supervised practice and examinations, you can apply for general registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, allowing you to practice independently.
CONTACT
MAHMOOD SALEEM
Advocate High Court
Immigration Consultant
Call 0321-4314001
WhatsApp 0333-5769655