Graduates of Australian programs

Graduates of approved programs of study delivered in Australia are qualified for registration as a pharmacist in Australia. To be eligible for registration as a pharmacist, an individual who is qualified must also:

• be a suitable person to hold registration in the pharmacy profession, and
• meet the requirements for registration set out in approved registration standards for the pharmacy profession.

The type of registration that a graduate of an approved program must apply for depends on whether the Board has approved the program for:

• provisional registration, to complete an internship before applying for general registration, or
• general registration.

See the approved programs of study lists for programs approved by the Board.

Registration standards

After graduating from an approved program of study approved by the Board for provisional or general registration, you must meet the registration standards as set out below.

Graduates of pharmacy programs approved for provisional registration to complete an internship

After graduation, you must demonstrate whether you meet the following registration standards when applying for provisional registration to undertake an internship:

• Criminal history
• English language skills
• Professional indemnity insurance arrangements.

After completing your internship, you must demonstrate whether you meet the following registration standards in place at the time when applying for general registration:

• Criminal history
• Supervised practice arrangements
• Examinations for eligibility for general registration
• Professional indemnity insurance arrangements
• Recency of practice
• Continuing professional development.

Graduates of pharmacy programs approved for general registration

After graduation, you must demonstrate whether you meet the following registration standards in place at the time of graduation and when applying for general registration:

• Criminal history
• English language skills
• Examinations for eligibility for general registration (you must have passed the Board's registration examination
• Professional indemnity insurance arrangements
• Recency of practice.

(Note: Graduates of programs approved for general registration become qualified for general registration at graduation without needing to meet the requirements set out in the Registration standard: Supervised practice arrangements. Graduates of these programs are not required to apply for provisional registration or complete an internship however they must pass the Board's registration examination).

Pathways to general registration

The different pathways that lead to general registration after graduating from one of the approved programs of study in Australia are set out below.

Applying for registration

Graduates of approved programs of study need to be registered with the Board before they can start working as pharmacists.

The first step is to set up your Ahpra portal and link multifactor authentication.

How to apply in your portal

1. Set up your Ahpra portal, log in and click ‘Apply for registration’.
2. Complete your application which includes uploading your certified documents, completing a proof of identity check and paying the required fees.
3. Wait for your education provider to give your graduate results and enrolment listing to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Once you've submitted your application, you can track its assessment in your portal.

Need help with registration?

For registration enquiries or difficulties with the online application form, contact us by making a web enquiry or by calling 1300 419 495 (within Australia).

We also have an online portal help centre with step-by-step instructions and videos on how to set up your portal and securely link your multifactor authentication app.

Engagement and Support team

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get culturally safe, one-on-one support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement and Support team. Yarn with us at [email protected]

Renewing provisional or general registration

If renewing provisional registration or when applying to renew general registration, applicants are required to declare whether they meet the Board’s registration standards for criminal history, professional indemnity insurance arrangements, recency of practice and continuing professional development.