With a thousand students appearing for the pharmacist registration exam to get a job in Australia, there has been quite a lot of buzz around the OPRA exam fees in India. In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the OPRA exam fees, especially for Indian candidates planning their journey in 2025. Not just the exam cost, we’re talking real numbers, hidden costs, must-know facts, and tips you won’t find on most websites.
What is the OPRA Exam?
OPRA stands for Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment. It is the official licensure exam for internationally qualified pharmacists who want to work legally in Australia.
The OPRA exam, introduced by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), replaced the old KAPS exam earlier this year. It’s more streamlined, relevant, and designed to match real-world pharmacy practice in Australia.
Whether you’re from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, China, Nepal or any other country, clearing this exam is the first major step toward becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.
OPRA Exam Fee Structure: Detailed Cost Breakdown
Here’s what you’re really here for: a transparent, easy-to-understand table outlining the OPRA exam fees in Indian Rupees, AUD, and USD, based on the current exchange rates.
| Steps involved | Fee (AUD) | Fee (USD) | Fee (INR) |
| Eligibility Check | $810 | $520 | ₹44.1k |
| Skills Assessment Outcome | $300 | $190 | ₹16.1k |
| Updated Skills Assessment (optional) | $610 | $390 | ₹33.1k |
| OPRA Exam | $2,190 | $1,410 | ₹1 lakh 19 thousand |
| Total (without optional update) | $3,300 | $2,130 | ₹1,81,500 |
Note: INR conversion is based on the 2025 exchange rate. Rates vary, so always check the latest exchange rates before payments.
What are You Paying for?
Let’s demystify what you’re actually paying for:
1. Eligibility Check (₹44.1k)
The APC will verify your academic qualifications. They check whether your pharmacy degree is equivalent to Australian standards. This is a mandatory first step.
2. Skills Assessment Outcome (₹16.1k)
Once your documents are reviewed, you’ll get a letter stating whether your qualifications meet Australian expectations. This is your green light to proceed.
3. Updated Skills Assessment (₹33.1k – only if applicable)
Did you complete a new internship or submit additional documents? Then you might need a reassessment. This step is optional and only necessary in special cases.
4. OPRA Exam Fee (₹1 lakh 19 thousand)
The main OPRA pharmacy exam assesses your clinical knowledge, understanding of therapeutic care, and ability to work in an Australian healthcare environment.
Are there any Hidden Costs for OPRA exam?
Well, not exactly, but if you’re an overseas pharmacist or candidate looking to appear for OPRA, you should also know the other costs that are required:
| What else do you need? | Fees in AUD | Fees in USD | Fees in Indian Rupees (₹) as per current exchange rates |
| English Language Test (IELTS/PTE/OET/TOEFL) | 276-312 | 177-200 | 15k-17k |
| Document Translation & Courier | 92-184 | 59-118 | 5k-10k |
| OPRA Exam Coaching (optional) | 459-1838 | 294-1178 | 25k-1 lakh |
| Travel & Accommodation | 735-2206 | 471-1413 | 40k-1.2 lakh |
| APC Application Support (Consultants) | 367-735 | 235-471 | 20k-40k |
What is the OPRA Exam Syllabus?
The OPRA syllabus 2025 has been revamped to focus more on applied knowledge than just theory. Here’s what you’ll study:
- Therapeutics and Patient Care (45%): Focuses on clinical scenarios, patient safety, drug interactions, adverse effects, and medication management.
- Biomedical Sciences (20%): Covers body functions, metabolism, pathophysiology, microbiology, and immunology.
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (15%): Addresses drug effects and toxicological aspects.
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (10%): Covers drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and action mechanisms.
- Medicinal Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics (10%): Focuses on drug design, development, formulation, and delivery.
This isn’t your typical memorise-and-recall type test. The OPRA exam questions are based on real-life scenarios you’ll face as a practising pharmacist in Australia.
OPRA Exam Dates & Schedule 2025
When can you sit for the OPRA exam in 2025?
According to the latest updates from APC:
| Session | Application Period | Exam Date |
| 3 – 5 March 2025 | 9 January – 3 February 2025 | 1 April 2025 |
| 14 – 16 July 2025 | 8 April – 16 June 2025 | 12 August 2025 |
| 24 – 26 November 2025 | 19 August – 27 October 2025 | 22 December 2025 |
OPRA vs KAPS: What has Changed?
Many Indian pharmacists are still unsure how the OPRA exam differs from the older KAPS exam. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | KAPS Exam | OPRA Exam 2025 |
| Focus | Theoretical knowledge | Clinical and therapeutic care promoting practical awareness and knowledge on real-life case-based scenarios |
| No. of Papers | 2 | 1 (integrated format) |
| Total Cost (avg.) | ₹2.5 – ₹3 lakhs | ₹1.8 – ₹2 lakhs |
| Exam Type | Knowledge-based | Case-based assessment (uses AI-Rasch model of assessment to assess students) |
| Global Acceptance | Limited | APAC-wide recognition |
The OPRA exam is not only more affordable but also better aligned with global pharmacy practices.
Which OPRA Exam Books Should You Refer to?
There’s no one-size-fits-all book, but here are the best resources for OPRA exam preparation:
- Pharmaceutical Calculations: Howard C. Ansel
- Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology: James M. Ritter
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics: Roger Walker
- Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: Michael Aulton
- Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics: Laurence Brunton
Looking for structured guidance? Join the OPRA exam coaching online that has an academic excellence of 12+ years. They also provide AI-based mock tests, study plans, and expert mentorship.
Become a Registered Pharmacist in Australia
If you’re passionate about a global career, good income, and professional growth, this section is for you:
Average Salary of a Pharmacist in Australia (2025):
According to statistics by Talent.com, the average salary for a pharmacist in Australia is AUD $95,000 per year (approx. ₹52 lakhs per annum). Entry-level roles start at AUD $70,000, while experienced pharmacists earn up to AUD $120,000. That’s a solid ROI on a ₹3 lakh investment.
OPRA Exam Registration: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to register for the OPRA exam:
- Create an account on the APC Candidate Portal
- Submit Eligibility Assessment
- Wait for Skills Assessment Outcome
- Pay for the OPRA exam.
- Schedule your exam
- Receive the result & proceed to internship registration.
Always keep copies of your passport, pharmacy degree, internship certificate, and language test ready.
Planning for OPRA Exam Fees in India
If you’re committed to becoming a pharmacist in Australia, the OPRA exam is your gateway. But more than just taking the test, you need to plan financially, mentally, and academically.
Here’s what you should do:
- Bookmark the OPRA exam dates so that you don’t miss attending
- Start collecting the required documents early to avoid last-minute hassles.
- Understand your OPRA exam eligibility so that your fee for the Initial skills assessment does not go to waste.
- Begin saving towards the OPRA exam cost, because it is the main exam fee, and you should have that much money prior to applying.
- Join an affordable, reliable OPRA coaching programme because it is indeed quite some bucks, hence make the most use of it so that you can clear the exam in the first attempt.
- Buy only essential OPRA exam books that APC has approved.
- Stay updated with changes in the OPRA exam syllabus 2025 and the latest trends.
Need Help with OPRA Exam Preparation?
Contact the expert team of OPRA Exam. They will support you every step of the way from eligibility to exam success. Explore our affordable, expert-led courses designed specifically for Indian students. Let’s make your dream of pharmacy registration in Australia a reality.
