What is Australian Pharmacy Council?
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APharmC) is the national professional body responsible for regulating pharmacists and assessing overseas pharmacy qualifications for skilled migration. Established to ensure that overseas-trained pharmacists meet Australian professional standards, APharmC plays a critical role in the skilled migration pathway for pharmacists seeking to work in Australia.
As a designated skills assessment authority under the Department of Home Affairs framework, APharmC evaluates whether overseas pharmacy qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian pharmacy degrees. This assessment is a mandatory requirement for overseas-trained pharmacists applying for skilled visas, including the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), and Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482).
APharmC assesses qualifications for two primary pharmacy occupations: Hospital Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251511) and Retail Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251513). The assessment process evaluates academic qualifications, professional registration status, and relevant work experience to determine whether the applicant meets the professional standards required to practice pharmacy in Australia.
Which visas require a APharmC skills assessment?
APharmC assessments are required for most skilled visa pathways for pharmacists. A positive assessment confirms your qualifications meet Australian standards and is essential for visa applications.
A positive APharmC assessment is a prerequisite for most skilled pharmacy visas in Australia. Your assessment result demonstrates that your qualifications and registration are equivalent to Australian standards, which is necessary for visa eligibility and professional registration with AHPRA.
How APharmC assessment works
The APharmC assessment process typically takes 10 weeks from submission to final decision. The process involves document verification, qualifications evaluation, and assessment of your professional registration status.
- Complete the online application form on the APharmC portal and create your account
- Submit certified copies of your pharmacy degree certificate(s) and official university transcripts
- Provide evidence of current professional registration and licensing in your home country
- Submit employment reference letters and detailed information about your pharmacy work experience
- APharmC reviews your qualifications against Australian pharmacy standards and competency requirements
- Receive your formal assessment outcome letter outlining whether your qualifications are substantially equivalent
- If assessed as equivalent, you receive a formal APharmC assessment report valid for skilled visa applications
Assessment pathways
APharmC offers two main assessment pathways depending on your qualifications and experience. Each pathway is designed to evaluate different aspects of your pharmacy background.
For applicants with an overseas pharmacy degree from a recognized institution. This pathway assesses whether your degree is substantially equivalent to an Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy degree. Typically applies to recent graduates or those early in their pharmacy career.
For pharmacists already registered and practicing in their home country. This pathway considers both your academic qualifications and your professional registration, work experience, and demonstrated competency in pharmacy practice. Required for most skilled visa applications.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Original or certified copies of your pharmacy degree certificate(s)
- Official university transcripts for all pharmacy studies
- Current pharmacy registration or licensing certificate from your home country regulatory body
- Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) with complete pharmacy work history and dates
- Employment reference letters from pharmacy supervisors on official company letterhead (at least two)
- Statutory declaration outlining your pharmacy experience, roles, and professional responsibilities
- Character documents (police clearance or certificate of good standing from your professional body)
- English language test results (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) if English is not your first language
- Proof of membership in professional pharmacy organizations if applicable
- Details of any continuing professional development or postgraduate pharmacy qualifications
All documents must be certified copies authenticated by an authorized person such as a notary public, lawyer, or embassy official. Non-English documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Do not send original documents as APharmC will not return them.
APharmC assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Skills Assessment Outcome — to apply to the Department of Home Affairs to support a visa application | AUD $300 |
| Eligibility Check — you want to work as a pharmacist in Australia or migrate here | AUD $810 |
| Updated skills assessment request — you've updated your skills since your last assessment | AUD $610 |
Assessment outcomes
APharmC issues one of three outcomes:
A positive APharmC assessment confirms your pharmacy qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian standards. The assessment is valid indefinitely for visa purposes and demonstrates to AHPRA and employers that you meet Australian professional competency requirements. This is a critical document for your skilled visa application and professional registration pathway.
If your assessment is unsuccessful, APharmC will provide detailed feedback on areas of non-equivalence. You may be eligible to reapply after completing additional study, qualifications, or relevant work experience. An unsuccessful assessment does not permanently prevent you from working in Australia but may require alternative pathways or further professional development.
If you disagree with your assessment outcome, you may request a formal review. The review process involves resubmission of your application with additional documentation or clarification addressing APharmC's concerns. Review requests must be lodged within 12 months of the original decision.
Occupations assessed by APharmC
APharmC is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 251511 | Hospital Pharmacist | MLTSSL |
| 251513 | Retail Pharmacist | MLTSSL |