International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation

Website

http://www.napsa.org.au

Total number of places per year? (approximately)

5

Area possibilites

It is possible for our SEO to organise a placement in any part of our expansive country. It primarily depends on your preference and what is available when you would like to visit. Would you prefer a big city, like Sydney or Melboure? Or somewhere tropical, like northern Queensland? Or perhaps a pharmacy in an outback farming community, or somewhere coastal where the surf is good.

Our placements are into community pharmacies. This being the case, the work would involve a lot of customer interaction. It is essential that you are fluent in English and can communicate warmly and well. This is the major drawback our pharmacists consider when thinking about taking an international student. Work in a community pharmacy involves a lot of minor health complaints, mostly skin complaints, head lice, eye complaints, mother and baby heath care, beauty and many other areas. It's really all about primary health care. There may also be work in the dispensary, depending on the pharmacy. This involves dispensing prescribed medication for customers.

Any more detailed questions should be forwarded to ipsf@napsa.org.au

Length of training periods?

This depends on the pharmacy and the student. Usually 4 to 6 weeks. Longer periods may be organised.

Available months and cities?

Anywhere, anytime. It depends on what is available when the student wants to arrive and where they would like to go.

The type of accommodation?

Student host families can be organised at the cost of $100 per week (paid to the host family). This will be endeavoured to be organised if required, however, it may not always be possible. When this is the case, the SEO will do what they can to help organise other accommodation.

Board, pocket money or other financial benefits/ remuneration?

It is not possible for pharmacies to pay the student (due to visa regulations) if the student comes in as a visitor to Australia. If the student is eligible for a visa where remuneration is possible (eg a Working Holiday Visa) remuneration may be a possibility, depending entirely on the pharmacist taking the student. As this is an experiential visit, it is unlikely that many pharmacists will be interested in paying a student to learn from them.

Social events?

Each state of Australia has at least one branch of NAPSA. Before your arrival in the country, the SEO will introduce you to the closest branch and you can join in with their many social events.

NAPSA holds an annual Congress each January. If you are in Australia at that time it is definitely a week to remember and worth attending.

Language requirements

Completely fluent English is essential

Other requirements

Information on Work Permits and Visa

If entering Australia for the experiential visit, no visa should be required as the SEP is unpaid. This should of course be verified and may depend on your country of origin.

More information can be found at www.immi.gov.au

Selection Procedures?

Exchanges can be organised at any time of the year, so there is no deadline per se. The number of placements made depends on finding host pharmacies. This will obviously vary every year.

Evidence of excellent English and good communication skills will always favour an applicant.

The initial choice of applicant will be done by the SEO. Finding a place for the student depends on their preferences and how fussy they are about their final location.