Organising supervised practice

Supervised practice is an integral step towards general registration with thePharmacy Board of Australia (Pharmacy Board). This page provides an overview of what is involved in organising supervised practice.

Supervised practice, which includes internship, is practising under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who holds general registration. - Registration Standard, Pharmacy Board

Completing a period of supervised practice is an eligibility requirement for general registration.

It applies if you:

• have graduated from a pharmacy program approved for provisional registration, OR
• are an overseas qualified pharmacist from a country other than New Zealand who has completed the APC's Knowledge or Competency Stream

This page is for general guidance only and should not replace your own research, judgement, or seeking independent advice.

On this page:

• Background
• Types of supervised practice
• Costs involved
• Organising supervised practice
• Finding a preceptor and pharmacy premise
• Intern Training Programs
• Assessments and exams
• Worker's rights
• Courses to prepare for your career in Australia

Background

Supervised practice is a period of time where you practise within a pharmacy, or equivalent setting, under the supervision of an approved preceptor. It is designed to ensure you develop a strong understanding of the Australian healthcare system, can comply with Australian pharmacy legislation, standards, and guidelines, and develop an understanding of how to practise in culturally safe ways.

Positions are earned. You will need to secure your own internship or supervised practice. The job market is very competitive in Australia and job availability varies. Securing supervised practice requires research, time, strong communication skills, and an understanding of the Australian pharmacy practice, legislation and professional standards. Employers consider both professional skills and personality fit.

Successful completion of an APC Skills Assessment does not guarantee registration (provisional, limited or general) or supervised practice.APC does not have any influence in decisions relating to the granting of registration as a pharmacist or approval of supervised practice by the Pharmacy Board.

Types of supervised practice

Key terms on this page

• Preceptor: A pharmacist who has been authorised by the Pharmacy Board to supervise the training of a provisionally registered intern or another individual undertaking supervised practice.
• Intern Training Program: A competency-based training program accredited by APC, encompassing a combination of face-to-face and online workshops, workplace-based assessments, clinical education, and formal assessments.
• Intern Training Provider: The organisations that deliver Intern Training Programs.
  

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Costs involved

• Intern Training Program fees (internships only)
• Exam registration fees
• Registration fees
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Relocation and living costs
• Visa fees
• Memberships (optional)

Visas and sponsorship

If you are an overseas-trained pharmacist, you may need to find an employer who will sponsor you in order to work in Australia. If required for your visa, you will need to discuss sponsorship with potential employers.

Be aware that there are costs and requirements that a business owner needs to meet to be able to sponsor an overseas-trained pharmacist.

APC does not have any influence in decisions relating to visas or sponsorship. An APC Skills Assessment does not guarantee a visa, sponsorship or employment. We are committed to providing our services as part of our mandated responsibilities.

Learn more about visas and sponsorship.

Organising supervised practice

1. Arrange a practice site and approved preceptor who is willing to supervise you.
2. After securing a practice site and preceptor, apply for registration with the Pharmacy Board and submit your supervised practice arrangements for approval.
   

Finding a preceptor and pharmacy premise

This is general information only and should not replace your own research, judgement, or seeking independent advice. Following these steps does not guarantee employment.

To start, carefully read the Pharmacy Board of Australia's:

• Registration Standard: Supervised practice arrangements
• FAQS for pharmacy interns and preceptors (PDF 9 pages)

Securing a pharmacy placement and preceptor can take time, so it is important to plan ahead and do your research. The job market is competitive.

• Start exploring opportunities early to gain a strong understanding of job availability and the employment landscape in Australia.
  
• Make sure you are respectful and professional in your approach when you ask a pharmacist to be your preceptor.
  
• If you are an international candidate, ensure that all your application materials are up to date and written in English before applying.
• Prioritise your well-being by finding a preceptor who aligns with your personality and working style. A supportive and comfortable learning environment is essential for a successful supervised practice experience.
• Be aware of local processes and requirements when searching for positions in a particular state or territory.

Seek advice and training

• Talk to career services or faculty staff who provide guidance on applications.
• Seek professional advice on writing a high-quality CV/resume and how to prepare for interviews effectively.
• Join professional membership bodies early to engage with the profession.
• Complete workshops and courses about the Australian pharmacy landscape.
• Familiarise yourself with Australian legislation and professional standards.

Network

• Network with pharmacists at industry events.
• Attend internship events where you can meet employers.
• Visit local pharmacies and hand the pharmacist your resume.
  

Search online

• Join pharmacists' groups on social media and professional forums to ask about opportunities.
  
• Look into state-based government job listings.
• Look into banner groups chain pharmacies websites for job listings.
• Look into websites of pharmacy chains and franchise/banner groups' for job listings.
• Search using keywords such as “pharmacist intern Australia" or “visa sponsorship available”, on online platforms such as:
  • Pharmacy Jobs in Australia - Raven's Recruitment
  • Seek Jobs in All Australia (with Salaries) - SEEK
  • Find Your Next Career Opportunity - CareerOne
  • Intern Positions – College Intern Training Program
  • Hospital pharmacy interns - Advanced Pharmacy Australia
    

Be cautious of scams whilst undertaking this step, particularly on social media. See our Guide to common scams to learn how to stay safe.

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Internships

Once your provisional registration and practice arrangements have been approved by the Pharmacy Board, choose and enrol in an Intern Training Program.

Note: Enrolment in an Intern Training Program requires provisional registration and approval of supervised practice.

For full details visit the Pharmacy Board of Australia's website.

Learn more about internships

Intern Training Programs

If you are required to complete an internship, you must also be enrolled in an accredited Intern Training Program whilst completing your supervised practice. These programs provide you and your preceptor with the full curriculum framework for your internship and help you to meet the milestones you need for your general registration requirements.

What to expect:

• face-to-face and online workshops
• assignments
• workplace-based assessments
• topic areas including cultural safety.

This is an expensive and busy year. There are costs involved. You may also be working and studying full time so you need to ensure you can manage this whilst maintaining your health and wellbeing.

Intern Training Programs are provided by professional pharmacy organisations and various universities, each offering different programs and benefits. See a list of accredited intern training programs in Australia.

Assessments and exams

During your supervised practice you may complete workplace-based assessments. These are activities that promote workplace learning, facilitate provision of feedback and provide evidence for decisions about pharmacy intern readiness to practice.

After you have completed 75% of your supervised practice hours, you are required to pass the Pharmacy Board of Australia's registration examinations. This comprises of 2 exams:

• Australian Intern Written Exam - Delivered by the Australian Pharmacy Council, this exam tests your skills, experience, knowledge and understanding to practice safely and effectively as an independent pharmacist.
  
  
• Oral Examinations - Delivered by The Pharmacy Board, this exam assesses your proficiency in making evidence-based judgments and how you communicate this to a patient.

You must pass both of these exams within 18 months of each other to be eligible to apply for general registration. You will need to pay the service provider to sit these exams.

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Worker's rights

In Australia there are safeguards in place to make sure that you are safe and not being taken advantage of in the workplace. It is important as a healthcare provider to know your rights and responsibilities. Several institutions that can help support you when you need it:

• Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA)
• Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
• Health Services Union (HSU)

Courses to prepare for your career in Australia

The Australasian College of Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia provide learning courses that are designed to help overseas trained pharmacists prepare for a career in Australian pharmacy and understand the Australian pharmacy context.

These courses are suggested for those who have successfully passed the OPRA® or CAOP® exam and can be useful to acclimatise you to the Australian healthcare environment before you commence provisional or limited registration.

These courses are not a requirement as part of registration. They are not mandatory. This means it is your choice, only if you would like the extra support.

• Foundations of Australian Community Pharmacy - The Australasian College of Pharmacy
• Introduction to pharmacy in Australia - Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

These courses are run by organisations that are separate to APC.

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