1:30min
Optometry Australia (OA) has submitted its response to the Australian Government’s consultation on the Draft National Allied Health Workforce Strategy, reinforcing the urgent need for strategic workforce planning, improved data collection and sustainable career pathways to support optometrists and the broader allied health sector.
In its submission, OA welcomes the Draft Strategy’s vision for a well-supported and diverse workforce. In particular OA acknowledged the critical inclusion of a focus on workforce data collection and planning in of the Draft Strategy. In its submission, OA argued that this is fundamental to addressing issues of workforce maldistribution and ensuring the future sustainability of optometry services.
‘Without robust, coordinated workforce data and planning, we risk further exacerbating the existing workforce imbalances, particularly in urban centres where oversupply pressures impact career progression, remuneration and retention,’ said Optometry Australia CEO, Skye Cappuccio. ‘Strategic workforce distribution must be prioritised to protect the viability of optometric services in all communities.’
Ms Cappuccio also stressed the importance of addressing the barriers preventing optometrists from working to their full scope of practice. ‘The current regulatory processes for scope expansion are overly complex and lengthy, limiting the ability of highly skilled professionals to provide the care they are trained for. Streamlining these processes would improve patient access to care and reduce attrition from the profession.’
Another key focus of OA’s submission is ensuring stronger alignment between workforce data and education pathways. OA recommends that optometry course availability be closely linked to workforce demand, helping to prevent oversupply in some areas while ensuring sufficient services in others.
In addition, we strongly support efforts to grow and retain both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and regional, rural and remote allied health workforces, and we call for more tangible implementation strategies that go beyond policy statements to deliver real, on-the-ground outcomes.
‘Optometry Australia supports the intent of the Draft Strategy but urges the Government to ensure that the final plan is closely followed with clear, practical steps to implement these recommendations,’ Ms Cappuccio stated. ‘A workforce strategy without an actionable implementation plan risks failing to deliver the changes necessary to support optometrists and the communities they serve.’
Our advice and advocacy on this issue is being informed by recent evidence of concerning workplace conditions and reports from members indicating increasing job competition, fewer permanent full-time opportunities and a stagnation or decline in salaries.
To further strengthen our response, OA has commissioned an updated workforce supply and demand projections study, which is due to complete in early 2025. This study will provide a clearer understanding of the expected short- and medium-term workforce supply and demand balance, drawing on known data and trend analysis. It will also consider the supply-need balance, looking at areas of identified unmet eye care needs and opportunities for these to be addressed.
As the Draft Strategy moves toward being finalised, we remain committed to working with the Australian Government, the Chief Allied Health Office and sector stakeholders to ensure that optometry’s voice is heard.