About the Examining Committee
Candidates should read this information carefully.
Overview |
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Recognition of skills for migration purposes |
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Determining competency to practise as a pharmacist in Australia, and |
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Development and administration of examinations. |
The skills recognition processes
The APC skills recognition process was devised to enable overseas trained pharmacists to demonstrate their competence to practise according to professional standards in Australia.
Following a review of its examination procedures in 2006, the Examining Committee introduced an alternative examination procedure for overseas-trained pharmacists from certain countries that are recognised by the APC as having educational processes, practice competencies and structures that are substantially comparable with those in Australia; such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States of America. These pharmacists may demonstrate their competence to practise according to Australian standards through a process known as Stream B. For all other pharmacists with overseas qualifications the examination procedure is known as Stream A.
Both pathways aim to ensure pharmacists are appropriately qualified and equipped with the necessary knowledge for Australian pharmacy practice. Most applicants will be required to undertake the Stream A process. Applicants should be aware that the APC will determine as part of its eligibility assessment process whether they are eligible to undertake either Stream A or Stream B process – they do not determine which path they take themselves.
Under Australian migration legislation the Australian Pharmacy Council also provides skills assessments for pharmacists who obtain their pharmacy qualifications in Australia and then seek to migrate to Australia. These Australian trained pharmacists are not required to complete either of the APC examination processes (Stream A or Stream B), but must be provided with a skills assessment to submit to Australian migration authorities as part of their migration application. The APC eligibility assessment serves this purpose for this category of applicant.
Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement pharmacists who are registered to practise pharmacy in New Zealand may apply for registration in Australia. Applicants who are not intending to migrate to Australia, may apply directly to the Australian pharmacy registering authorities for registration. Those applying for skilled migration to Australia must be provided with a skills assessment to submit to Australian migration authorities as part of their migration application. The APC eligibility assessment serves this purpose for this category of applicant.
The APC also provides assessment tools (ie examinations) for use by other jurisdictions as part of their recognition processes.
Click for a flowchart of the APC Process.
Candidates are encouraged to regularly check the APC Whats New page for any changes to the skills recognition process which may affect their application.
Applicants applying for migration to Australia
The APC recommends that applicants contact Australian migration authorities about the requirements for skilled migration to Australia, as the skills assessment provided by the APC is only one component of a migration application. The website for the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship will be a helpful first point of contact for enquiries about migration matters. The address is www.immi.gov.au.
For more information about the Australian Government's Skilled Migration programme click here.
Click on the links below for information about the skills recognition process which applies for each of these groups of applicant. Other relevant information can be found on the Whats New and FAQs pages on this website.
Australia and New Zealand Trained Applicants
Candidates sitting APC Examinations for other Jurisdictions
Candidates must hold an appropriate visa which allows them to work under supervision in a training position. Candidates should contact their nearest migration office for further information on visas.
APC Appeals Policy
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has developed an appeals policy for its assessments and examinations. The policy provides for appeals to be made against the initial assessment that establishes an applicant’s eligibility to undertake the APC examination process and as a result of the examination process. A counselling and review process for examination results is also available for candidates who are resident in Australia.
