Australia has emerged as the third largest educational destination for international students.

It offers 22,000 courses at

1,100 institutions with six universities currently ranked among the top 100 in the world.
The Lucky Country
It seems that affordable fees and cheaper living costs (compared with other Western nations such as the UK and USA),
without having to compromise the quality of education and living standards, could make up a significant part of the
appeal.
Many associate Australia as the lucky country, with 'G'day' to greet you, serene beaches, sunshine, rejuvenating fresh air
and tropical rainforests bordered by deep blue seas.
For many foreign students, the quality of life ones get while living in Australia provides the best of both worlds in terms
of higher living standard and affordable world class education.
Rates alongside the world's best
Despite the fact that both the UK and USA are home to the world's best and most prestige schools and colleges,
Australia remains a popular destination for international students with numbers rapidly increasing every year and
doubling in last decade.
Now, the question arises why Australia is still the preferred destination for Asians when competing with the world giants
like UK and USA.

In general, Australia provides a good quality medical education across the country. Combine that with a
relaxed and friendly “Aussie” lifestyle, sprawling beaches and good weather, and you know you’ve got a
winner! Read more from Asian Scientist Magazine at:
https://www.asianscientist.com/2011/04/academia/applying-australian-medical-school/
France vs. Australia: Everyone Covered
The list of services covered in France is more extensive than in Australia -- perhaps more than in any other
health care system. Australia has the advantage in expense.
Australia provides free inpatient care in public hospitals, access to most medical services and prescription
drugs. There is also voluntary private health insurance, giving access to private hospitals and to some services
the public system does not cover.
The government pays for at least 85 percent of outpatient services, and for 75 percent of the medical fee
schedule for private patients who use public hospitals. Patients must pay out of pocket for whatever isn’t
covered. Most doctors are self-employed, work in groups and are paid fee-for-service. More than half of
hospitals are public.
Everyone in France must buy health insurance, sold by a small number of nonprofit funds, which are largely
financed through taxes. Public insurance covers between 70 percent and 80 percent of costs. Voluntary health
insurance can cover the rest, leaving out-of-pocket payments relatively low. About 95 percent of the population
has voluntary coverage, through jobs or with the help of means-tested vouchers. The Ministry of Health sets
funds and budgets; it also regulates the number of hospital beds, what equipment is purchased and how many
medical students are trained. The ministry sets prices for procedures and drugs.
The French health system is relatively expensive at 11.8 percent of G.D.P., while Australia’s is at 9 percent.
Access and quality are excellent in both systems.

Australia’s healthcare system

5-minute read
The Australian healthcare system has many different types and tiers of services available to help you. This
article provides you with some information to help you understand the different types of healthcare available
and how you can access them.
Choosing the right health service
Watch these videos to learn which services are best for your health needs.
An overview of Australia's healthcare system
The Australian healthcare system provides a wide range of services, from population health and prevention
through to general practice and community health; emergency health services and hospital care; and
rehabilitation and palliative care.
General practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) act as the main gateways to other health
services, including diagnostic tests, specialist consultations, hospital admission and inpatient care.
General practice and primary healthcare
Primary health care is the first point of call for most people for most illnesses. It's delivered in a variety of
settings, including at general practices, community health centres and at home.
Primary care is provided by doctors, along with community nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other allied
health professionals.
Allied health
Allied health practitioners are trained health professionals who are not doctors, dentists or nurses.
They can help you manage your physical or mental health, through services including diagnosis, treatment or
rehabilitation. Learn more about allied health practitioners.
After-hours general practitioner services
Many general practices are only open during business hours. However, there are several after-hours options if
you can't find a general practice open.
The free government-funded after-hours GP helpline can help. You can speak to a registered nurse who will ask
you questions about your health. They will provide you with information and advice. If needed, a GP will call
you back within the hour.
After-hours doctor call-out services are available in major cities and centres. These are private services and a
doctor can come to your home. In some cases, this service may be covered by Medicare.
Emergency departments (EDs)
EDs are able to treat patients who need urgent medical or surgical care. Most EDs are located in, and
operated by, public hospitals throughout Australia.
EDs are designed to deal with acute, sometimes life-threatening medical emergencies. Non-acute, less serious
conditions are best dealt with by a general practice.
If you are not sure whether your medical condition is urgent, contact your doctor or call healthdirect on 1800
022 222 for advice.
If you think you have a medical emergency, immediately dial triple zero (000).
Specialist services
Medical specialists work in a specific area of medicine, such as cardiology or dermatology. They may work in
private practice, and within a private hospital, and/or in the public hospital system. For a specialist visit to be
covered by Medicare, either partly or completely, you will need a referral from your GP.
Public and private hospitals
Hospital services in Australia are provided by both the public and private sectors. Public hospitals are owned
and managed by state and territory governments.
Medicare provides access to free treatment and accommodation in a public hospital for Australian residents
and overseas visitors from countries with a reciprocal arrangement.
You can choose to have Medicare cover only, or a combination of Medicare and private health
insurance coverage.
If you have private health insurance, you get some funding to cover the costs of care in a private hospital. You
are also able to use a public hospital, although you will be charged for it. Your private health insurance will
cover some of the costs.
Medicines and prescriptions
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) ensures that Australians have access to affordable medicines. The
PBS subsidises the cost of prescription medicines so that Australians can access a wide range of medicines
without having to pay full price.
Medicines are also available over the counter, without a prescription, but these are generally not subsidised.
Medicines on the PBS must first be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which also
regulates vaccines, sunscreens, vitamins and minerals, medical devices, blood and blood products.
My Health Record
My Health Record is an online summary of your key health information. It allows you to share your health
information with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers if you want to. The information is secure and
you have control over who sees the information.

Primary health networks (PHNs)

Primary health networks (PHNs) are independent, government-funded organisations. They aim to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of health services, particularly for disadvantaged groups, and improve the
coordination of medical care across the healthcare system.
There are 31 PHNs across Australia. Learn more about PHNs.
Local hospital networks (LHNs)
Local hospital networks (LHNs) are responsible for a group of local hospitals, or an individual hospital, linking
services within a region.
LHNs are known by different names in different states. For example, they are known as ‘local health districts'
(LHDs) in NSW and ‘hospital and health services' in Queensland. The National Health Reform Public Hospital
Funding website has a LHN directory.
Differences across Australia
While some aspects of the Australian healthcare system are the same nationwide — for example, Medicare is
the same wherever you are — others vary depending on where you live. There are differences between states,
and there are differences between the city and rural and remote areas.
For example, both city and country people have good access to nurses but doctors, and especially specialists,
are concentrated in the cities.
Overview of the Australian health system
Australia is a federation of 6 states and 2 territories governed by 3 tiers of government:
Australian government (also referred to as Federal or Commonwealth government)
State/Territory government
local government.
The Australian health system comprises a mix of public and private service providers. Funding is provided by
all levels of government, health insurers, non-government organisations and by individuals.
The Australian Government mainly contributes funding via 2 national health subsidy schemes:
Medicare Benefits Scheme (known as Medicare) (external site) subsidises payments for services provided by
doctors, optometrists, and some allied health professionals
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (external site) subsidises payments for a large proportion of prescription
medicines bought from community pharmacies.
Additional services provided by the Australian Government include:
social welfare arrangements
regional and remote healthcare programs
funding programs for chronic and complex conditions
healthcare arrangements for Australian Defence Force personnel and their families through the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs (external site)
support of clinical education and training through the National Medical Training Advisory Network (external site)

What is Medicare?
Australia's primary health care funder explained.

Since 1984, a universal health system has been provided in Australia by the Commonwealth Government,
known as Medicare.

Medicare is the primary funder of health care in the country. It has three distinct parts: hospital, medical and
pharmaceutical.

Medicare provides the following for citizens and most permanent residents in Australia:

Hospital: free treatment in all public hospitals

Medical: refunds for those professional health services which are listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule
Pharmaceutical: subsidies for all prescription medicines which fall under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Quality of care
In an international comparative study of the health care systems in six countries (Australia, Canada, Germany,
New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States), found that "Australia ranks highest on healthy lives,
scoring first or second on all of the indicators", although its overall ranking in the study was below the UK and
Germany systems, tied with New Zealand's and above those of Canada and far above the U.S.[26][27]

A global study of end of life care, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, part of the group which
publishes The Economist magazine, published the compared end of life care, gave the highest ratings to
Australia and the UK out of the 40 countries studied, the two country's systems receiving a rating of 7.9 out of
10 in an analysis of access to services, quality of care and public awareness.[28]
Pharmacists: Australian Pharmacy Examining Council (APEC)
If you intend to apply for migration to Australia under one of the General Skilled Migration categories, you must
have a nominated occupation which is on the Skilled Occupations List at the time you apply. In order to make a
valid application, you must have obtained a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your
nominated occupation.

Click Here to Complete Assessment and Request a Call Do You Qualify To Emigrate As A Pharmacist?
APEC is the assessing authority for the following occupation:

Pharmacists
VETASSESS is the assessing authority for:

Industrial Pharmacists
Most Pharmacists in Australia practise in the community (i.e. retail businesses) or in hospitals. Some work in
the pharmaceutical industry, academic and government institutions, the public service or the armed services.

Community pharmacists have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

Processing prescriptions;
Maintenance of patient medication records;
Health promotion, patient medication;
Counselling;
Primary health care;
Specialised medication;
Administration systems;
Services to patients with particular needs (eg. diabetics, asthmatics and the elderly);
Domiciliary care, nursing home and private hospital services;
Therapeutic device supply and fitting; and
Providing expert advice to medical practitioners and other health professionals.
Hospital pharmacists, in addition to the supply and control of medication within hospitals, also provide a wide
range of special services, such as drug information, sterile medicines, radio-pharmacy, oncological, ward
pharmacy and clinical services. They work closely with other health professionals to optimise drug therapy and
patient care management.

The industrial pharmacist's work involves the manufacture and distribution of drugs and medicinal products.
This includes quality control, product development, formulation, production, management, research and
technical sales including medical detailing. Industrial pharmacists need to be registered only if they distribute
drugs and medicines to the public, although some organisations may only employ those who are eligible for
registration.

Recognition Procedures in Australia

Each Australian State and Territory has separate legislation covering the recognition of pharmacy
qualifications. To practise pharmacy you must be registered with the local State or Territory pharmacy
registration authority. The unregistered practice of pharmacy is punishable by law.

Qualifications Gained in Australia

If you obtained your pharmacy qualifications in Australia and are intending to migrate to Australia you will need
a formal skills assessment of your qualifications completed by APEC.

Qualifications Immediately Acceptable to Pharmacy Registration Authorities

If you obtained your pharmacy degree and licence to practise in the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand
you will be accepted for registration by all State and Territory pharmacy registering authorities. Conditions for
registration will vary between the registering authorities, and you may need a short period of practical
experience supervised by a pharmacist in Australia before you can be registered.

If you are intending to migrate to Australia you will need a skills assessment completed by APEC but will not be
required to complete the APEC examination process.

Qualifications Not Immediately Acceptable to Registration Authorities

If your qualifications do not immediately meet the Australian requirements, there are 2 options:

Complete an Australian pharmacy degree course at a recognised Australian university. The qualifications
awarded by these institutions satisfy the formal academic requirements for registration by all State and
Territory pharmacy registering authorities. If you enrol in an award course, you may gain credit for your
overseas studies. Universities are self-governing and determine their own entry requirements for credit
transfers. You will then need to complete a period of supervised practical training - conditions vary from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Undertake the examination process conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Examining Council (APEC).
Applicants need to formally apply for an assessment to determine their eligibility to undertake the examination
process.
Applicants must have completed an approved pharmacy course which included a minimum component of the
equivalent of 3 years of full time academic study. The applicant must also be registered or be eligible for
registration as a pharmacist in the country in which the qualification was obtained.

After successful completion of the Stage I Examination candidates must reside in Australia and have
permission to work at least 25 hours per week (30 hours in New South Wales) to complete the remainder of
the examination process.

The process is as follows:

Eligibility Assessment is an assessment of qualifications and associated documents to determine the

applicant's eligibility to undertake the APEC examination procedure;
Meet English Language requirements - a pass in the Occupational English Test (OET) or an overall score of
Band 7 at the academic level of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a prerequisite;
Stage I Examination - a written multiple-choice-question examination covering basic pharmaceutical sciences;
Interview and counselling;
A period of supervised practice in an Australian pharmacy; and
Stage II Examination - a practical and oral examination covering the practice of pharmacy.
Counselling is mandatory throughout the procedure and is provided for candidates living in Australia by
members of APEC.

A skills assessment letter is issued upon successful completion of an Eligibility Assessment, English Language
test and Stage I examination for migration purposes.

The satisfactory completion of the entire examination process is required before a candidate may apply for
registration as a pharmacist with a relevant registering authority in Australia. The APEC examination procedure
is only part of the total assessment by pharmacy registering authorities and you may have to meet other
requirements to be able to practise as a pharmacist in Australia. All pharmacy registering authorities reserve
the right to impose additional requirements to those stipulated by APEC.

Professional Organisations
Most pharmacists in Australia are members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia which operates through
State and Territory branches. The Society and its branches are concerned with educational, ethical and
professional aspects of pharmacy. Membership of the Society is open to any registered pharmacist. Student
membership may be allowed which may give you access to continuing education seminars.
Specialised organisations concentrate on particular aspects of the profession in Australia - the Society of
Hospital Pharmacists, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (the pharmacy owners' organisation) and the Salaried
Pharmacists Association which looks after salaried pharmacists. Membership of these bodies is open to
registered pharmacists working in these specific areas.

How To Become A Pharmacist in Australia

Article by: HealthTimes | Last Updated: 10-03-2017
How To Become A Pharmacist in Australia Photo: How To Become A Pharmacist in Australia
To become a pharmacist in Australia, you must complete a tertiary degree in Pharmacy such as a Bachelor or
Master of Pharmacy. Graduates will then need to register with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and compelte
an internship of approximately 1 year with a registered pharmacist.
How can I study pharmacy?
Pharmacy can be taken as an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Pharmacy) at various universities across Australia –
check the pre-requisites for each university. This degree is
normally 4 years full-time.

To be admitted to this degree course, high school students are usually required to have taken certain subjects such as
mathematics and chemistry. It is desirable that students will
also have taken biology, human biology, or physics. Competency in the English language must also be demonstrated.
Additionally, each university will have a minimum ATAR score
requirement for admission to a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree program.

Pharmacy can also be taken as a post-graduate degree (Master of Pharmacy). This is normally 2 years full-time.
Applicants will need to have completed a bachelor degree, attained above average grades, and have completed certain
tertiary level units such as physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, human biology, pharmacology, and mathematics.

You may also need to pass one of these examinations to a certain level:
• Graduate Australia Medical Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Again, check the pre-requisites for each individual university.

Where can I study pharmacy?

Australian universities that offer pharmacy degrees include but are not limited to:
• The University of Western Australia
• Curtin University
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Queensland
• Griffith University
• The University of Tasmania
• Monash University
• The University of Canberra
• The University of South Australia

What happens next?

Once you have attained a pharmacy degree, you will have to meet the requirements to be registered with the Pharmacy
Board of Australia. Initially, when nearing the end of the
degree, pharmacy students will need to apply for “provisional” registration. This enables them to obtain an internship
under the guidance of a registered pharmacist, in order to gain
more experience. Applicants will need to undergo a criminal history check at this time. During internship (normally a 1
year period), interns, with supervision, gain knowledge and
practical experience in areas such as:
• Conducting medication reviews
• Providing advice on prescription medications, “over-the-counter” products and
complimentary medicines
• Dispensing medications
• Evidence-based practice
• Legal practice
• Problem solving
• Harm minimisation and health promotion

After the period of internship is completed, pharmacy interns must sit and pass the Pharmacy Board’s registration
examination. This comprises two components: a written
section and an oral section. Following the successful completion of this examination, interns are then eligible to apply for
general registration and become qualified to practice as a
pharmacist in Australia.

Only then will pharmacists be able to seek employment in hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies.

I am already a pharmacist – from overseas. How can I work as a pharmacist in Australia?

You will require registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and need to sit an examination with the Australian
Pharmacy Council (pharmacists from New Zealand are
exempt). Visit the Overseas Practitioner Registration section of the official Pharmacy Board of Australia website [link] for
more details.

What kind of salary can I expect?

At the intern level, a pharmacist can earn upwards of $52,000 a year. Each state has a grading system that takes into
account years of working experience and specialisation. The
highest grades command salaries upwards of $140,000 a year, but it is important to know that salary packaging may be
available, as well as overtime rates for any public holiday/
weekend work.

Indemnity Insurance
It is important for pharmacists to obtain professional indemnity cover for legal or negligence claims that may be made
against you in the course of your career. Although many employers offer some kind of indemnity insurance, this may not
protect you from certain types of claims.

You can purchase indemnity insurance in Australia from organisations such as Professional Pharmacists Australia or
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL). These companies often
also provide counselling and guidance to members.