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For overseas-trained pharmacists intending to migrate to Australia and practice as a pharmacist, passing the relevant APharmC Skills Assessment pathway may play a significant role in their career. Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) carries out assessments of internationally qualified pharmacists through a number of assessment pathways.
Prior to making an application, it is important for pharmacists obtained their qualification overseas to understand the assessment requirements, eligibility criteria, documentation, examinations and registration process.
The APharmC Skills Assessment is the assessment process of the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) for internationally qualified pharmacists who want to demonstrate that their skills and qualifications are sufficient for Australian requirements.
The pathway to assessment selected will vary based on your qualifications, country of education, registration, and professional situation.
Achievement does not equate with registration as a pharmacist in Australia. Skills assessment, immigration and professional registration are distinct processes which could have different requirements.
Applicants must therefore know the full process before submitting documents and/or making an application.
If internationally trained pharmacists are considering migrating to Australia and working in the profession, they could be required to conduct an APC assessment.
You may need an assessment if you:
Specific requirements will vary from person to person and will depend on the pathway for the qualification you are following.
Depending on the applicant, an assessment pathway may differ. There can be multiple steps in a typical process.
The first thing to do is to find out what path you’re on.
The following may affect your eligibility:
Becoming familiar with the process beforehand can help avoid delays in the application process.
Applicants are typically required to submit supporting documents that establish their identity, education, qualifications, and professional experience.
Documents can contain the following elements:
Documents should be in line with the necessary standards. Delays can stem from incorrect, incomplete, and inconsistent documentation.
The applicant shall be able to submit the relevant application upon preparation of the required document(s) in the applicable APC procedure.
Please review your information before applying. Consistency of names, dates, qualification information, registration details and supporting evidence should be maintained throughout documents.
The information and supporting materials are reviewed by the relevant authority.
This may include assessment of educational qualifications and comparisons with the requirements for internationally qualified pharmacists.
If further information and documentation is required, applicants should submit it promptly.
International Pharmacists may be required to complete examinations on one or more of the pathways.
The assessment requirements depend on the pathway and existing Australian assessment rules for the pathway.
It should be the candidate’s duty to always refer to the present requirement before preparing for an examination, as assessment procedures can change.
Eligible applicants can then move on to the next phase of the Australian pharmacist registration pathway once they have fulfilled the necessary assessment criteria.
This might include requirements carried out via the Pharmacy Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
It is important to keep in mind that an APC assessment is not the end of the process, but rather a part of the process.
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The Australian profession has a set of standards for pharmacists. The assessment of overseas qualifications is thus required to be carried out against the requirements of internationally qualified pharmacists.
Assessment is part of the process to ascertain whether an applicant is competent to meet the requirements for progression through the Australian pathway to a specific pharmacy profession.
It can also assist in providing information to the applicant about any further tests, training, or professional qualifications that may be required.
But it is important to note that an APC assessment is not the same as final registration as a pharmacist. There are two roles played by the Australian Pharmacy Council and the Pharmacy Board of Australia within the process.
Internationally qualified pharmacists may be able to use more than one pathway to the Australian pharmacy assessment system.
The pathway could be dependent on such things as whether the applicant’s pharmacy qualification is recognised under a pathway, and the country in which it was obtained.
International pharmacists may need to demonstrate the knowledge via the appropriate assessment pathway and examination.
This can be particularly important for pharmacists whose qualifications do not fall under a streamlined pathway.
Some pharmacists may have access to pathways that require competency assessment and other requirements based on the applicant’s current needs and circumstances.
Pathway eligibility is subject to change so applicants are advised to check the current APC conditions before making their application.
Migration and Registration are two distinct goals.
A pharmacist might have to meet the following requirements:
The needs of individual applicants will vary.
Document preparation is an essential component in the international assessment of pharmacists.
Typical documents might include:
Applicants will require evidence of qualification in pharmacy, such as:
Identity evidence can consist of:
Applicants should bring, if applicable:
Requirements for English language may apply according to pathway and registration stage.
Information presented may change as test, score and acceptability of tests and scores change, so applicants should check the current requirements, not their previous ones.
Unnecessary delays for applicants can be experienced when their applications are not prepared well.
Common problems are:
Choosing the Wrong Pathway
Not all overseas pharmacists will go through the same pathway of assessment.
Decide which pathway is most suited to your qualification and situation before applying.
Incomplete Documentation
Applications may be delayed due to missing academic records, registration evidence, identity documents or other required information.
Inconsistent Information
The personal details of your name, date of birth, qualification details and professional history should be consistent throughout the documents submitted.
Ignoring Document Verification
A specified procedure may be required for some qualifications and/or documents to be verified.
The applicants are required to know the verification process before they submit their applications.
Using Outdated Information
Requirements for pharmacies to be assessed and registered can change.
Please see the current requirements from the relevant Australian authorities before applying.
For those who apply for an Australian skilled migration pathway, an overseas pharmacist could be required to undergo a suitable skills assessment.
The assessment shows that the applicant’s qualifications and skills are assessed by the relevant profession.
But being assessed positively does not mean that you will be granted a visa invitation or an Australian permanent visa.
The outcome of migration may also be influenced by:
Therefore, the skills assessment should be considered as part of an overall migration plan.
It is important to note that there is a difference between skills assessment and professional registration when it comes to overseas pharmacists.
Skills Assessment | Pharmacy Registration |
Primarily relevant to migration and professional assessment pathways | Required to legally practise as a pharmacist |
Evaluates qualifications and skills for the applicable pathway | Determines eligibility for professional practice |
Associated with the Australian Pharmacy Council pathway | Involves the Pharmacy Board of Australia/Ahpra |
Does not itself grant pharmacist registration | Allows eligible applicants to practise subject to registration conditions |
It is essential for a pharmacist who wishes to practice in Australia to have an awareness of both processes and their interconnections.
Making an application for an international pharmacy is a complex process, especially if the applicant does not know the Australian requirements.
When applying for this course, applicants will be helped to understand:
But applicants will always be asked to give true information and authentic documents. Even the best consultant or writing service can’t guarantee a positive assessment or migration.
CDR reports, resumes, VETASSESS, and RPL applications can be challenging to prepare. Our team of professionals has effectively helped clients obtain approval with professional services that address all of these needs.
CDR Writers offers a structured approach to assisting those applicants who require assistance to comprehend the Australian skills assessment processes.
We work on the following points:
Before we give guidance, we take a look at your qualifications, professional background and intended pathway.
We assist you in understanding the documentation in general that is required for your assessment.
We communicate it in a clear and organised way, letting you know what to expect.
Can assist with checking for inconsistencies or missing information prior to submission.
If applicable, we assist applicants in understanding the role of the skills assessment in their overall migration to Australia.
The first step to a professional career in Australia is to understand which assessment pathway is right for you as an overseas qualified pharmacist. All stages of qualification documentation, assessment requirements and subsequent registration should be taken seriously.
If you are not sure about your APharmC Skills Assessment, we can assist you with the process, documentation and application in an organised way.
Start your Australian Pharmacy journey with APharmC assessment advice from the professionals now!
APharmC will often be used in the context of the Australian Pharmacy assessment pathway (APC) with the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). The APC is an important assessment tool for internationally qualified pharmacists.
No, Skills assessment and Pharmacist registration are two different processes. It is not a condition of an assessment that you necessarily be granted a licence to practise as a pharmacist in Australia.
Yes, internationally qualified pharmacists can apply via an appropriate APC pathway provided that the eligibility criteria listed below are met at the time of application.
English language requirements may apply as per pathway and circumstances of enrolment. Be sure to review current requirements for your situation.
Depending on the type of application, document verification, the completeness of the application, and other reasons, the processing time varies. Applicants are requested to please ensure that they have the latest information of the APC processing before applying.
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