The skills assessment procedure for pharmacists at the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) is
different from the skills assessment procedure for pharmacists at the Australian Pharmacy
Council (APC). The MBA is the national agency that regulates the registration and practice of
medical practitioners in Australia, while the APC is the national agency that accredits pharmacy
education and assesses the competence of pharmacists in Australia
https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/pharmacist/skills-assessment/
https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/resources/application-for-apc-updated-skills-assessment/.
The MBA does not directly assess the skills of pharmacists, but rather relies on the assessment
outcomes provided by the APC. The APC offers various pathways for pharmacists to obtain a
skills assessment outcome, depending on their qualifications, experience, and registration status.
These pathways include:
• Competency Stream: This pathway is for pharmacists who have completed a pharmacy degree
that is not accredited by the APC or recognized by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA), and
who have at least 12 months of work experience as a pharmacist in their country of training or
another country approved by the APC. This pathway requires candidates to pass two exams: the
Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacist (CAOP) exam and the Intern Written Exam
(IWE) https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates/
Standard-Pathway.aspx.
• Knowledge Stream: This pathway is for pharmacists who have completed a pharmacy degree
that is not accredited by the APC or recognized by the PBA, and who do not have any work
experience as a pharmacist or have less than 12 months of work experience as a pharmacist in
their country of training or another country approved by the APC. This pathway requires
candidates to pass two exams: the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS)
exam and the IWE https://academically.ai/steps-to-become-a-registered-pharmacist-in-australia/.
• International Student Stream: This pathway is for pharmacists who have completed a
pharmacy degree that is accredited by the APC or recognized by the PBA, and who have
obtained their degree within 12 months of applying for a skills assessment outcome. This
pathway does not require candidates to pass any exams, but they need to provide evidence of
their degree completion and registration status
https://www.psa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/National-Competency-Standards-
Framework-for-Pharmacists-in-Australia-2016-PDF-2mb.pdf.
• NZ Registered Pharmacist Stream: This pathway is for pharmacists who are currently
registered as pharmacists in New Zealand and have completed a pharmacy degree that is
accredited by the APC or recognized by the PBA. This pathway does not require candidates to
pass any exams, but they need to provide evidence of their registration status and work
experience as a pharmacist in New Zealand.
Once candidates obtain a skills assessment outcome from the APC, they can apply to the MBA
for provisional registration as a pharmacist. Provisional registration allows candidates to
undertake supervised practice in Australia and complete the remaining requirements for general
registration. These requirements include:
• Completing at least 1824 hours of supervised practice within 18 months
• Passing the Intern Oral Exam (IOE)
• Completing an approved intern training program
• Meeting the professional indemnity insurance requirements
• Meeting the English language skills requirements
• Meeting the recency of practice requirements
• Meeting the continuing professional development requirements
• Meeting any other conditions imposed by the PBA
After completing these requirements, candidates can apply to the MBA for general registration as
a pharmacist. General registration allows candidates to practise pharmacy independently and
without supervision in Australia.
I hope this helps you understand the skills assessment procedure for pharmacists at the Medical
Board of Australia. blush
