New interim guidance from Ahpra reinforces the importance of independent clinical judgement and warns employers about commercial pressures that may compromise patient care. The guidance is particularly relevant to optometrists working in environments where commercial or financial incentives may intersect with clinical decision-making.
Getting billing right is critical to professional practice. Whether you’re an employee, contractor, locum or practice owner, you need to understand your responsibilities when claiming from Medicare, DVA or private health insurers.
Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) took effect from 1 September, including updates to PBS listings, restrictions and authority requirements. For optometrists prescribing medicines under the PBS, it’s important to check the current PBS listings, restrictions and item code before prescribing or submitting an authority application.
Ahpra and the Optometry Board of Australia have released an advance copy of the revised Supervised practice framework, designed to make it simpler, quicker, and cheaper for internationally qualified health practitioners to work in Australia.
Recent media coverage has raised serious concerns about workplace pressures, commercial expectations and patient care in parts of the optometry sector. Optometry Australia takes these concerns seriously.
As Members will no doubt have seen, we are in full swing of informing Members about the upcoming vote to unify into one national organisation. We need a fit-for-purpose new structure that will kick goals for Members. That is what optometrists deserve.
From 1 July 2026, the Australian superannuation system will change substantially. Known as Payday Super, all employers will be required to pay their staff’s superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time they pay their salary and wages.
Optometry practices across Queensland that provide services to children must now comply with the Child Safe Standards introduced under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, which came into effect on 1st January 2026. Most optometry practices will be captured by the new requirements if they see children as patients, even occasionally.
Optometry Australia and the five State Divisions are exploring a move to a unified structure: a single organisation which will strengthen member engagement and support, advocate more effectively and reduce duplication to help lower member fees.
With patient expectations shifting and technology evolving at lightning speed. Adrian Vecchio, Optometry Australia member and Owner at The Eye Collective Optometry, has been tracking these shifts for over a decade and is confident the next wave of innovation will transform practice life as we know it.
In the spirit of reconciliation Optometry Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
