The National Transport Commission has recently launched a review of the 2022 Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines, aiming to ensure the Standards reflect current clinical and road safety evidence and contemporary practice. Member feedback is invited.
Two University of Melbourne optometry students spent their clinical placement at Congress in Alice Springs, gaining hands-on experience with complex ocular pathology and a deeper understanding of Aboriginal health.
OA invites expressions of interest to support up to three Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander optometrists and/or optometry students to attend the Optometry Clinical Conference from 9 – 10 August, on the lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera Peoples, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Jayden Vu has been awarded the 2026 OV/SA Student Academic Award for Flinders University, Adelaide. Recipients of these awards are selected by the three Australian university optometry faculties and conferred upon students who demonstrate academic excellence, and a strong commitment to patient care and professionalism.
The National Boards and Ahpra have released an advance copy of the revised Criminal history registration standard, which will officially come into effect on 15 July 2026.
In late 2025, the Optometry Board of Australia consulted on proposed changes to the Registration Standard: Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines and associated guidelines that would enable endorsed optometrists to prescribe oral medicines for eye conditions, in addition to topical medicines. The proposal reflects many years of sustained advocacy by Optometry Australia.
Optometry Australia warmly congratulates Harrison Pike, who took home the Emerging Leadership Award at the NATSIEHC26 Awards in May. Presented by FNEHA, the accolades were announced at the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference.
The 2026–27 Tasmanian Budget delivers a strong focus on fiscal restraint, preventive health and community-based care, but contains no direct investment in eye health, optometry or blindness prevention. While eye health was not specifically referenced in the Budget Papers, several priorities align closely with Optometry Australia advocacy agenda.
Registrations are now open for the Optometry Clinical Conference (OCC) 2026 held in Brisbane this August, with a powerhouse program featuring international and Australian clinical experts. Presented by Optometry Australia, OCC has quickly established itself as one of the profession’s most significant national clinical education events.
Earlier this year, Optometry Australia submitted its 2026–27 Federal Budget Submission to the Australian Government, outlining a series of practical, evidence-based reforms aimed at improving access to eye care and better utilising the skills and expertise of Australia’s optometry workforce. While the Budget did not include direct funding commitments relating to Optometry Australia’s proposals, several measures are relevant to the profession and broader eye care sector.
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.
