A robust future for optometry: Why our Federal Election campaign matters

With the 2025 Federal Election approaching, Optometry Australia is committed to ensuring that eye health, and optometry, is firmly on the policy agenda.  

Our ‘Eyes on Medicare’ campaign is the latest in our ongoing commitment to advocate for policies that support both optometrists and their patients. Right now, we’re pushing for a critical change: reinstating two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye examinations for Australians under 65.  

Optometry’s collective voice is powerful, and our campaign has momentum. Since asking you to join in our advocacy push in early February, over 375 members have written to their federal representatives, sending over 5200 emails and contacting over 90% of all federal parliamentarians. You have highlighted to key decision makers that this change is necessary, and will positively impact both patient care and the profession.  

Optometry Australia continues to call on both the Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Shadow Minister for Health, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, to formally respond to our campaign, committing to addressing this issue as a priority in the next term of government. We have also achieved significant public media attention, with pieces across both The Australian and ABC Radio. 

Why this matters 

Regular eye examinations are fundamental to preventing avoidable vision loss, and yet, fewer Australians under 65 are accessing them. We believe that reinstating two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye examinations for Australians under 65 will improve eye care outcomes across the country.  

We also know, in the context of sector concern about workforce oversupply and challenging workplace conditions, that community need for primary eye care remains unmet.  

Together with our forthcoming nationwide consumer awareness campaign about myopia, which will encourage children and their families to access comprehensive eye care to help stop the global myopia epidemic in its tracks, reinstating two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye examinations for Australians under 65 will encourage more Australians to access sight-saving primary eye care. As such, these campaigns are about more than improving patient outcomes – they’re about securing the future of our profession. 

Thank you for standing with us to ensure that Australians are accessing the eye care they need, and to create a robust future for our profession. 

Wondering how to get involved?  

With your support, 2025 could be a turning point for primary eye care in Australia. 

Take action today: 

• Use our online advocacy tool to send a pre-drafted email to your federal representatives. 
• Connect with our advocacy experts to build relationships with your local MPs. 
• Raise awareness about the importance of regular eye exams and our collective advocacy efforts. 

Every voice strengthens our message. Let’s stand together – Today, Tomorrow, Together.