Australia has long been a popular destination for skilled professionals from around the world, including pharmacists. The demand for pharmacists remains high, and there are various pathways to apply for migration. This guide outlines the essential information and steps pharmacists need to know to make the move to Australia.
Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacist Migration
To migrate as a pharmacist, you must meet specific eligibility requirements. Typically, these include:
- A recognised pharmacy degree
- A minimum of three years of professional experience
- Completion of the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) exam, which will replace the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam from March 2025. The OPRA™ is designed to assess the readiness of overseas-trained pharmacists to practice in Australia. This change aims to better align the assessment process with the demands of the pharmacy profession in Australia.
Visa Options for Pharmacists
Several visa options are available for pharmacists seeking permanent residency in Australia:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): Allows for permanent residency without the need for state nomination or employer sponsorship.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): Requires state or territory government nomination but offers permanent residency.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): A pathway to permanent residency for applicants willing to work in regional areas. This visa requires a nomination from a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
Visa policies can change, so it’s essential to consult the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest updates.
Skills Assessment Through the OPRA™ Exam
Previously, pharmacists needed to pass the KAPS exam to demonstrate their knowledge and qualify for migration. From March 2025, the OPRA™ exam will replace the KAPS, becoming the primary assessment for overseas-trained pharmacists. This new assessment will cover updated competencies to ensure pharmacists meet the standards required for Australian practice.
Skilled Visa Processing Priorities for Applicants
The Australian government has specific priority categories for skilled visa processing, particularly for high-demand occupations. Pharmacists are listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which ensures their eligibility for prioritized processing, depending on the visa subclass and regional need. The current processing priorities are as follows:
- Employer-Sponsored Visas for Regional Occupations: Visa applications for occupations in designated regional areas are prioritized, including Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme), Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visas.
- Healthcare and Teaching Occupations: Due to ongoing skill shortages, healthcare and teaching occupations are given high priority for visa processing. As pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare, applications in these fields are processed quickly to meet demand.
- Employer-Sponsored Visas Nominated by an Approved Sponsor with Accredited Status: Visas in this category, such as Subclass 186 and Subclass 482 visas, benefit from fast-tracked processing when the sponsoring employer has accredited status, which ensures expedited entry for skilled workers.
- Permanent and Provisional Visa Subclasses Contributing to the Migration Program: This category includes most skilled migration visas, such as Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visas. This excludes the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.
- All Other Visa Applications: Applications outside the above categories are processed in the order they are received.
It’s also important to note that the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) ceased on 28 October 2022, so references to the PMSOL are now obsolete.
For the most up-to-date information on skilled visa processing priorities, consult the Department of Home Affairs.
Steps for the Immigration Process
- Confirm Your Qualifications and Experience: Ensure your pharmacy degree and professional experience align with Australian standards. Detailed information is available on the Australian Pharmacy Council’s Skills Assessment page.
- Prepare for the OPRA™ Exam: The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) will replace the KAPS exam from March 2025. Review the new examination guidelines on the Australian Pharmacy Council’s OPRA™ Exam page.
- Complete an English Proficiency Test: Achieve the required scores in tests such as IELTS or OET. Refer to the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s English Language Skills Registration Standard for specific requirements.
- Submit Your Skills Assessment Application: Apply to the Australian Pharmacy Council for a skills assessment. Application details are provided on their Skills Assessment page.
- Lodge Your Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system, detailing your skills and experience. Access the system via the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect page.
- Await an Invitation and Apply for a Visa: Upon receiving an invitation, submit your visa application with supporting documentation. Guidance is available on the Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Application page.
These steps provide a structured pathway for pharmacists seeking to migrate to Australia, with each link offering comprehensive information to assist in the process.
Types of Pharmacist Jobs in Australia
Australia has several opportunities for pharmacists, including hospital pharmacists, retail pharmacists, and industrial pharmacists.
Hospital Pharmacist
A pharmacist in a hospital prepares and dispenses drugs, pharmaceuticals, and medications. Registration or licensing is mandatory.
Retail Pharmacist
Retail pharmacists inform customers about the importance of health promotion, disease prevention, and proper use of medication. They may also offer non-prescription medications and related products. Registration or licensing is necessary.
Industrial Pharmacist
Industrial pharmacists inform patients about the importance of health promotion, disease prevention, and proper usage of medicines. They may also offer non-prescription medications and related products. Registration or licensing is necessary.
Final words
Migrating to Australia as a pharmacist offers promising career opportunities and a high quality of life. With the introduction of the OPRA™ exam, it’s vital to stay updated on new assessment requirements and changes to visa processing. Make sure to regularly check official resources and consider seeking advice from a registered migration agent to navigate the process effectively.
You can also work with a registered migration agent or lawyer to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
