1:30min
Optometry Australia sat down with Advanced Practice Recognition (APR) Program graduate Inez Hsing to find out what motivated her to participate in the Program and to gather insights from her experience as one of the Program’s first graduates.
Inez said she was initially attracted to the Program because of her deep passion for advancing glaucoma care. With over ten years’ experience as both a clinician and educator in the field of glaucoma care, she saw the APR Program as an ideal opportunity to consolidate her knowledge and skills and to further enhance her post-graduate career.
Inez described the Program as a transformative experience: ‘It not only validated my decade-long dedication to glaucoma care, but also reinvigorated my passion for learning and teaching.’
The Advanced Practice Recognition Program: A new era for optometry
The APR Program, introduced by Optometry Australia, was developed to formally recognise optometrists with advanced expertise in specific clinical areas, starting with glaucoma management. Development of the APR Program began in 2022, in recognition of the growing need for formal recognition of optometrists providing highly advanced clinical care. Optometry Australia undertook extensive research and stakeholder consultations to ensure alignment with international best practices in advanced healthcare recognition, culminating in a comprehensive scoping report that examined both international and Australian models of advanced practice within optometry and other allied health professions.
To ensure the Program met the needs of both optometrists and the wider healthcare system, Optometry Australia engaged in extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including:
- Practising optometrists with advanced clinical expertise
- Hospital heads of departments
- Chief Executive Officers of Allied Health Professional Associations
- Universities and education providers
- Regulatory bodies
- International optometry Advanced Practice Program providers
Through these consultations, a clear pathway for advanced practice recognition was established, aligning with best-practice frameworks used in other healthcare professions while ensuring the Program was tailored to the unique landscape of Australian optometry. The Program not only supports individual career progression but also enhances interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthens the role of optometry within the wider healthcare system.
The value of recognising expertise
Inez was particularly drawn to the APR Program’s emphasis on recognising previous experience, while allowing participants to further consolidate the knowledge and skills they had accrued throughout their careers.
‘It’s been a very long time since I was an optometry student, so it was excellent to be able to go back and review some of the previous landmark studies and evidence-based studies that I’ve been previously exposed to,’ she said.
‘Perhaps even more importantly, it also allowed me to stay up-to-date with some of the more recent studies in the area of glaucoma care.’
Impact on daily practice
Inez said the deeper understanding she received through her participation in the Program would inevitably translate into improved patient care in her own practice. She said it would allow her to more confidently manage glaucoma cases with a renewed understanding of the theory behind her practice.
‘The Program has personally reinvigorated my desire to learn and to be a better optometrist,’ she said.
Why choose the APR Program?
When asked about her overall experience in the APR Program, Inez emphasised its practical focus, enabling participants to actively apply their skills and knowledge.
‘One thing I really liked about the APR Program was that it takes a real-life approach. Other post-graduate courses I’ve done were based more on watching and learning, which isn’t the same as putting it into practice.
‘What’s different about this Program is it is looking at what you currently do on a day-to-day basis. It recognises that you’re an advanced practitioner and then gives you an avenue to really consolidate and reinforce your skills and knowledge.’
Becoming credentialled
The APR Program requires optometrists to demonstrate their expertise through a structured application process. To qualify, optometrists must have 5+ years of experience and complete a multi-step assessment:
- Submit an Expression of Interest & CV
- Recognition of prior experience (case logs, lectures, publications, advanced certificates)
- Submit two case reports
- Demonstrate leadership competencies
- Participate in a Clinical Discussion Interview (VIVA)
This rigorous process is overseen by the Governance Committee, a group of carefully selected, experienced practitioners from diverse backgrounds including representatives from both corporate and independent practice. The process ensures that credentialled optometrists meet advanced practice competency standards, providing confidence to both patients and the broader healthcare system. Further details about these steps will be released in the coming weeks.
Professional and community benefits
Reflecting on her own experience, Inez said she believes the APR Program will foster stronger collaboration with ophthalmologists and medical practitioners, enabling better co-management of complex cases.
Ultimately, she said this will ensure timely care for patients, alleviating the burden on ophthalmologists and reducing treatment delays. As an educator, Inez said she believes the Program will inspire early-career optometrists by offering a clear pathway for professional growth and specialisation.
‘The APR Program is a great option for any optometrist out there who is truly passionate about glaucoma care and glaucoma collaborative care and who really wants to consolidate their knowledge and skills and build on their relationship with ophthalmologists and medical practitioner colleagues,’ she concluded.
Optometry Australia is on track to call for expressions of interest from Optometry Australia members interested in participating in the Program in March 2025. Stay up to date with the Advanced Practice Recognition Program, here to learn more, and if you would like to discuss the program further, please contact us at policy@optometry.org.au.