Meeting Australia’s Unmet Need for Optometry

Earlier this year, Optometry Australia released the Optometry Workforce Projections Study, revealing two critical truths about our profession: 

1. On paper, Australia has an oversupply of optometrists when measured against current demand. 
2. In reality, a significant proportion of Australians are missing out on essential eye care – meaning true population need is not being met. 

This mismatch represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the workforce is strong, many Australians are not accessing the services they need. Optometry Australia is committed to bridging that gap – ensuring our profession thrives while every community receives the care it deserves. 

Where Australians Need Us Most 

The evidence is clear: 

• Rural and remote communities face some of the highest rates of eye disease yet often struggle with limited access to optometry and ophthalmology. Outreach services and innovative hub-and-spoke models are essential here. 
• Children and young people underutilise optometry services, despite rising rates of myopia. Our Off screens. Outside. Optometrist campaign and work to advance universal childhood screening are designed to change this. 
• People with diabetes – over 1.5 million Australians – remain underserved. Less than half receive recommended eye exams, leaving many at risk of avoidable vision loss. 
• Acute eye conditions drive nearly 150,000 emergency department visits and millions of GP encounters each year, despite being conditions that could be managed more effectively in community optometry. 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples continue to experience significant barriers to eye care despite carrying a higher burden of disease. OA is committed to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and communities to build strengths-based, culturally safe solutions. 

These realities highlight the untapped demand for optometry – and the essential role we play in meeting it. 

Together, We Can Meet Community Need 

Optometry Australia has a responsibility to both the profession and the community. By identifying barriers across funding, access and awareness, we can grow demand for optometry services while improving outcomes for patients who need us most. 

But this work cannot be done alone. Every OA member has a role to play – through joining Advisory Groups, contributing insights to our Advocacy and Research teams, or by engaging in the important conversations shaping our profession’s future. Contact our team at policy@optometry.org.au for more information on how to get involved. 

Join the Conversation – Virtual ‘Drop In’ Sessions 

In November, OA is hosting a series of virtual ‘drop in’ sessions with our senior leadership team. These are an opportunity to hear more about how we are tackling workforce challenges and unmet community need – and to share your perspective. 

• Monday 10 November, 7–8pm AEST: Optometry Workforce Supply and Demand – Register here 
• Tuesday 11 November, 7–8pm AEST: Children’s Vision – Register here 
• Wednesday 12 November, 7–8pm AEST: Regional, Rural and Remote Optometry – Register here 

We invite you to be part of these important discussions. Together, we can protect the profession, strengthen clinical practice, and ensure every Australian has access to the eye care they deserve.