Employing an Overseas Pharmacist

A turnkey solution for your Pharmacy

As Australia’s leading pharmacy Recruitment Agency, we are acutely aware of the shortage of Pharmacists in rural and remote Australia and the difficulties in convincing Australian Pharmacy Graduates to complete their internship in a rural location; when they have ample opportunities in metropolitan areas of Australia.

At the same time we have witnessed the large number of Overseas Pharmacists that have completed the KAPS (Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences) exam over the last year, and if given the opportunity, would add significant value to the communities and Pharmacies in Australia that need ever increasing healthcare support.

In conjunction with an Australian pharmacy specialist Migration Agent, we have decided to offer a “turnkey solution” for any Pharmacy Owner willing to employ a KAPS qualified Pharmacist.​

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How do I find the right Pharmacist?

Working with an extensive pool of International Pharmacy Graduates we will put forward a hand-selected number of appropriate Pharmacists who meet your Pharmacy’s specific requirements consistent with our high quality recruitment practices.

Once you have agreed on the candidate you would like to move forward with, the Migration Agent will be in contact to arrange for the appropriate visa.

What about the work rights?

We understand that the process of sponsoring can be quite daunting if you have not done this before. The Migration Agent - who is experienced in the Pharmacy Industry in Australia - will take the pressure off you in this regard and handle both the Sponsorship and Nomination process and all necessary government requirements.

The pathway that would be most cost effective is the Subclass 407 Training visa which will cover the Internship period and would enable the candidate to apply in time for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa.

How can I benefit from the simplified process?

If you thought the process of employing an International Pharmacy Graduate was too difficult, we want to help you make this as easy as possible.

The benefits of employing a KAPS qualified Pharmacist on a 407 Training visa are:

1. The Training visa covers the KAPS qualified Pharmacist during their Intern Training Program and supervised practice period.

2. Overseas Pharmacists can complete their internship under a 407 Training visa in any location in Australia, not necessarily rural or remote.

3. Overseas Pharmacists completing an internship who come under a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa have a requirement to be paid a minimum salary of $73,150, however under a 407 Training visa you are only required to pay the amount you would have offered an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident Intern.

4. International Pharmacy Graduates are hard working, determined and eager to build a career as a Pharmacist in Australia.

5. Most Overseas Pharmacists come to Australia with a view to gaining permanent residency and thus if the relationship works well with an owner, are generally keen to apply for a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa and stay for another two (2) years after their internship - so they can apply for permanent residency. There would be further costs for a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa for both the Overseas Pharmacist and Owner, however if both the employee and owner feel as though the internship has worked well, then it’s generally a win:win for both parties in continuing as a Registered Pharmacist.

6. Whilst its not possible to be definitive given you are dealing with the Department of Home Affairs, provided both the Owner and Intern lodge their paperwork promptly, a 407 Training visa can be obtained in approximately 3-4 months.

What are the costs involved?

The following are a summary of the principal cost considerations:

• The total costs of obtaining a 407 Training visa are quite reasonable for a Pharmacy Owner and would be in the vicinity of $4,000.

• Overseas Pharmacists are prepared to pay for the cost of their Intern Training Program with either the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) or the Australasian College of Pharmacy.

• A Raven’s Recruitment fee structure that looks to share any perceived risk of employing an Overseas Pharmacist is available.

How do I learn more?

Should you wish to move forward and explore the opportunity in more detail, please contact David Shaw on 1800 429 829 or david@ravensrecruitment.com.au. David is our Operations Manager and will be the primary contact for this solution.