QUT supports optometry graduates to embrace regional and rural placements

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In healthcare, ensuring timely access to services is crucial, especially in regional and rural areas where resources and care pathways can be scarce. Optometry faces its own set of challenges in reaching communities outside major cities.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is actively working to change this narrative by supporting and encouraging its own optometry graduates to embrace opportunities in regional and rural areas.

According to Associate Professor Katrina Schmid, Optometry and Vision Science at QUT, students in their final year undertake clinical placements right across Australia, including in regional areas.

‘There is a strong misconception that optometrists don’t seek work in regional areas, when often the reason why there is lack of care in these communities is that there actually isn’t an optometry practice or eye health service located in the area for an optometrist to work in.

‘There needs to be positions available for optometrists to enable them to work in areas that have a lack of eye care. New graduates moving for work also need to know that there will be housing available and social support structures; positions need to be funded at a liveable wage and there needs to be clearer pathways.’

Recent data from QUT not only paints a compelling picture, but also underlines a shifting trend: a remarkable 80 per cent of the university’s 2023 optometry graduate cohort took up  positions outside capital cities.

A/Prof Schmid said this statistic dispels the notion that optometrists shy away from regional opportunities.

‘The 2023 cohort is poised to address the eye health needs of these under-resourced communities. Working in these communities also affords new graduates the opportunity to treat and manage a variety of pathology, allowing them to practise to their full scope and making their careers both rewarding and valued.’

Attracting regional and rural students to optometry

Recognising that regional, rural and remote areas of Australia often have restricted or limited access to educational opportunities, resources and services compared with those available in cities or larger towns, QUT has established a Regional, Rural and Remote Adjustment Scheme to attract students from outside metropolitan areas to optometry and other health courses. There are also pathways and support programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Additionally, information sessions organised by the Queensland Optometry Student Society enable Master of Optometry students to find out about work opportunities across Australia.

Student placement and work opportunities 

For practices with a new final year student placement opportunity or seeking to advertise positions for new QUT optometry graduates, A/Prof Schmid is contactable at k.schmid@qut.edu.au.

A/Prof Schmid said is important to consider how to make your position attractive to new graduates:

• Can students do a regional placement in your practice during final year?
• Can you or others in the practice act as a professional mentor?
• Can you showcase the great things about your practice location?
• Can you assist with finding housing options?
• Are their social and community groups for young professionals?
• Also consider how you will retain your new optometrist?

‘The best timing to advertise positions is during semester 1, around March to April, when the final year students are considering where they might work and looking for job opportunities.’