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Australia offers great opportunities to live and work as a pharmacist, with its welcoming, multicultural environment and diverse range of pharmacy settings in hospitals, community and aged care.
Everyone's journey is different and for some this process can be longer and more complex than expected. Completing this process does not guarantee you a job or a successful migration process.
Before you commence your journey, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the employment opportunities available to you and the sponsorship and visa options that you may be eligible for, so that you can make informed decisions going forward.
On this page:
Australia’s healthcare system is built on strong regulatory standards to ensure high-quality care and safeguard public health. Pharmacists are a vital part of this system, often serving as the first point of contact for patients interacting with a diverse range of people with various health needs. They are held to rigorous professional standards through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, with strict training and assessment requirements for registration.
APC recognises that the job market in Australia can be competitive. Opportunities for employment and internships vary by region. It’s important to begin researching job availability early in your journey to set expectations and make informed decisions about where to live and work.
Start by reading:
Your journey involves different pathways depending on whether you study in Australia or are migrating from another country.
If you are looking to study pharmacy in Australia, you can apply to study an accredited degree program at one of many universities across Australia. See the list of accredited pharmacy degree programs.
If you are a pharmacist who received your qualification from a country outside of Australia and New Zealand, your journey involves many steps, with various organisations. Depending on your circumstances, your journey to become a registered pharmacist in Australia may sit within the Knowledge Stream or Competency Stream:
If you are a pharmacist migrating from New Zealand, see our page for New Zealand Registered Pharmacists.
Relocating to Australia to work as a pharmacist involves a range of financial considerations. The following provides the types of costs you may encounter. Fees are indicative only. All prices are listed in Australian dollars.
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Approximate costs (AU) |
Types of costs may include... |
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Personal costs |
Dependent on personal circumstances |
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Australian Government Dept of Home Affairs - Visa costs |
$3,000 up to $9,000+ |
For up-to-date visa pricing see visa fees and charges |
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APC Skills assessment costs |
Up to $3,300 |
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Pharmacy Board of Australia Registration costs |
Approx. $385 - $750 |
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The timeframe depends on your personal circumstances. Some pharmacists take 6-18 months. Some pharmacists may have to wait years to secure a visa and job in Australia.
Step 1
Timeframe: As required
A Skills Assessment does not guarantee employment. Before you pay for services with APC, familiarise yourself with the current job market and availability of visas.
Learn more about:
Step 2
Timeframe: As required
You will be required to provide different organisations with copies of official documents. You will need to make sure that you have these documents translated to English if needed.
Gather your documents early to ensure you have everything you need to get started.
See your documents checklist.
Step 3
Australian Pharmacy Council
Timeframe: 3 - 18 months
You will need a skills assessment outcome letter to support your visa application and registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
It is recommended that you explore job opportunities before you pay for a skills assessment.
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A Skills Assessment involves... |
Timeframes |
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Successfully completing an eligibility check application |
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Passing an exam |
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Requesting a skills assessment outcome |
The Department of Home Affairs sets the validity period for your Skills Assessment outcome for visa applications. APC is unable to change the validity period. |
Timeframes depend on how efficiently you organise your documents, and whether you need to re-sit exams.
Learn more about APC Skills Assessments.
Step 4
Various organisations
Timeframe: Anywhere from a few months to a few years. The timeframe is dependent on your personal circumstances, exam performance, and on availability of visas and jobs.
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This step includes... |
Who to speak with |
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Finding an approved preceptor and securing supervised practice/internship |
A pharmacist at a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy department |
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Obtaining your visa |
The Department of Home Affairs |
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Applying for provisional/limited registration with the Pharmacy Board |
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (The Pharmacy Board) |
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Enrolling in an Intern Training Program (Knowledge Stream only) |
Intern Training Providers |
Learn more about:
Step 5
Timeframe: Varies depending on your stream
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Stream |
Timeframes |
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Knowledge Stream internship and Intern Training Program |
Minimum supervised practice hours |
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Competency Stream supervised practice |
At least 152 hours (case by case decision by the Pharmacy Board of Australia) |
Step 6
For interns and knowledge stream candidates only
You must pass the Board registrations exams:
Timeframes:
Step 7
Timeframe: Varies depending on individual circumstances
In order to practise pharmacy in Australia, you need to be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Learn more about:
If you have any questions, reach out to our Candidate Relationship Team at info@pharmacycouncil.org.au.
Learn about different regions, cost of living, areas of work, and cultural safety in Australia.
More detailsLearn about the organisations within your journey, their roles, and when to speak with them.
More details