PSA to sponsor overseas students

Oct , 01  2013

Reference :http://www.psa.org.au/media-releases/psa-to-sponsor-overseas-students

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia today announced it will in future nominate and sponsor international pharmacy students who are PSA members and who are seeking to continue and complete their studies in Australia in 2014 and 2015.

Under the scheme, the PSA will seek to nominate and sponsor students under the occupational trainee stream (Subclass 402 Visa).

It will mean that current international students now have options to complete their training and register as pharmacists.

The National President of the PSA, Grant Kardachi, said the decision highlighted PSA’s leadership role in helping to further the careers of PSA member pharmacy students.

“PSA introduced free membership for students and the decision to sponsor foreign students is a further example of our commitment to our members and to the profession,” Mr Kardachi said.

Mr Kardachi said that with the removal of pharmacists from the Skilled Occupation List from 1 July 2013, a number of international pharmacy students were no longer able to access a Subclass 485 Visa which enabled them to complete their studies and register as pharmacists in Australia.

“There are more than 600 international pharmacy students affected by this change,” Mr Kardachi said.

“As the peak professional body for pharmacists, the PSA will provide support to affected students to enable them to remain and complete their pharmacy internship and gain registration as a pharmacist in Australia.

“They can then to return to their country of origin to use these skills to pursue their careers.”

PSA has been approved as a Training and Research sponsor with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Waterman 0487 922 176