Pharmacy Jobs in Australia: Your 2025 Career Guide to Work, Earn & Settle Abroad

Looking for pharmacist jobs in Australia? You're in the right place. Did you know, the Australian Department of Health Workforce has reported that the country has hired over 3,000 licensed pharmacists in early 2025? 

Australia needs skilled pharmacists. Why? The population is ageing. Healthcare options are growing. The pharmaceutical industry is seeing huge rise in the country. So, there are potential job opportunities for pharmacists in Sydney, Melbourne,and in other regional and rural areas.

Common job titles in demand include:

• Clinical Pharmacist

• Pharmacy Technician

• Intern Pharmacist

• Pharmacist Assistant

• Industrial Pharmacist
  

Australia offers multiple career paths for pharmacists, each with unique rewards and growth opportunities.

1. Community Pharmacy

Community pharmacists dispense medications, advise patients, and work closely with local GP.

Relevant designation:

• Pharmacy Assistant

• Dispensary Technician

• Pharmacist-in-charge

If you are looking for pharmacy technician jobs in Australia, you can try searching under the domain of community medicine or pharmacy.

2. Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy

With a greater focus on patient outcomes, hospital settings demand clinical knowledge and collaborative skills.

These roles include:

• Clinical Pharmacist

• Oncology or Emergency Pharmacists

• Medication Safety Officers

You'll often find pharmacist jobs in Melbourne and Sydney at public and private hospitals.

3. Industrial & Research Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical companies are hiring for industrial pharmacist jobs in Australia, especially in drug research and regulatory affairs.

Perfect for those with:

• A background in pharmaceutics or manufacturing

• A desire to work in corporate or lab settings

• A Pharm. D. or master’s in pharmacology

Did You Know?

In 2024, Australia's pharmaceutical manufacturing market was worth AU$ 13 billion. Experts see a projection of growth by 7% annually (IBISWorld, 2024).

Step 1: Qualify for the OPRA Exam

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) is your official gateway. Previously known as KAPS, the OPRA exam is now more streamlined and focuses on practical knowledge application.

To be eligible, you must:

• Hold a pharmacy degree recognised by your country’s registration board

• Submit verified documents to the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

• Register online for the OPRA exam held in March, July, or November

Exam Focus: "Therapeutics and Patient Care" has the highest weightage, testing your clinical decision-making through real-world case scenarios.

Expert Tip: Enroll in the best OPRA exam coaching classes that provide AI-based mock tests using the Rasch Model and expert-led coaching.

Step 2: English Proficiency Test

You’ll need to prove your English language skills through:

• IELTS Academic: 7 in each band

• PTE Academic: 65+ in all sections

• OET: B grade or 350+ in each component

  
  

Step 3: Apply for a Visa

Popular visa options include:

• 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

• 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional

• 482 Temporary Skill Shortage

Ensure you go through the norms on the Department of Home Affairs official website clearly for latest updates on Visa requirements.

Step 4: Start Your Internship (Pharmacy Intern Australia)

Before you can register as a pharmacist, you must qualify your OPRA exam and sit for a complete 1575-hour supervised internship.

Internship placements are typically offered at:

• Community pharmacies

• Public/private hospitals

• Corporate pharmacy chains

Intern pharmacist jobs in Australia are highly structured, offering hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world interaction. Your internship also helps you qualify for permanent residency (PR) under the skilled occupation lists.

After you have completed your internship, you need to pass the Intern Written Exam and its oral part as well.

Step 5: Final Registration and Licensing

Once you complete your internship and meet all the OPRA + English requirements, you can apply through the AHPRA portal (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) for official registration as a pharmacist.

Congratulations! You’re now officially a licensed pharmacist in Australia.

With your license in hand, it’s time to explore the best platforms to apply for jobs.

Popular Job Portals:

• SEEK: for general roles and regional opportunities

• LinkedIn: for clinical, research, and corporate jobs

• Indeed Australia regularly posts intern pharmacist jobs and assistant roles

• Workforce Australia: run by the government, ideal for PR pathways

In 2025, these are the top regions hiring pharmacists:

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Regional areas in Queensland and Western Australia

Absolutely! Pharmacist jobs in Australia for Indian and other foreign nationals are among the most sought-after, given the high standard of living, healthcare benefits, and permanent residency potential.

What makes Australia attractive for foreign pharmacists?

• Transparent licensing via OPRA

• Easy integration into the workforce

• Friendly immigration policies

• High respect for healthcare workers
  

If you’ve been feeling stuck in your home country, maybe overworked, underpaid, or unsure about your future, this is your sign. We know from the fact how toxic and political sometimes certain work environment can be. Do not compromise on your mental health.

Australia is actively seeking qualified pharmacy professionals. With a structured pathway, generous salaries, and a high standard of living, there’s no better time to explore your options. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for pharmacy intern Australia roles or someone aiming to crack into pharmacist jobs in Australia for foreigners, the journey starts with a single step: preparing for the OPRA exam.