As the 2025 Federal Election looms, OA’S ‘Eyes on Medicare’ campaign is gaining traction, thanks to passionate members like Nancy Atkinson, President of OQNT, who recently met with her local MP, Elizabeth Watson-Brown to champion the sector’s call for the reinstatement of two-yearly Medicare-subsidised eye exams for Australians under 65.
Optometry Australia (OA) is pleased to announce that it is again offering a bursary to support members to attend the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC25) on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people in Perth on 27-29 May 2025. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander optometrists and optometry students are strongly encouraged to apply.
With the 2025 Federal Election approaching, Optometry Australia is committed to ensuring that eye health, and optometry, is firmly on the policy agenda.
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.
Optometry Australia takes the increasing concern about workforce oversupply in optometry very seriously. With new optometry graduates facing challenges in securing employment and growing evidence of an expanding workforce, we have again made a formal submission to the Federal Government’s Occupation Shortage List (OSL) survey.
Late last year, Optometry Australia commissioned a comprehensive national survey examining the working conditions of employed optometrists. Led by Professor Nicola Anstice from Flinders University, with support from a dedicated team of co-investigators, the survey gathered responses from over 500 optometrists.
Last year, we informed members that as part of the Federal Budget 2024-25, the Commonwealth Government would implement recommendations made by the MBS Review Taskforce relating to optometry items. These changes have been confirmed and come into effect from 1 March 2025.
Optometry Tasmania (OTas) is pleased to welcome Karen Garner-Hamilton, who has replaced Jonathan Jones as the Tasmanian State Lead. Karen brings a wealth of experience and genuine passion for supporting optometrists across the state.
Optometry Australia is delighted to announce the establishment of the Northern Territory Advisory Committee (NTAC).
Optometry Australia proudly marks a major milestone in the Advanced Practice Recognition (APR) Program with the completion of its pilot phase. This initiative empowers optometrists to achieve formal credentials in advanced clinical areas, starting with glaucoma management.
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.
