Human resources & workplace relations

Position statements

• Workplace Conditions for Clinical Optometrists. Learn more
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Optometry. Learn more

Optometry Australia provides free advice and tailored support for members on all matters related to human resources, employment, and workplace law. Whether you’re an employee, employer or locum, we’re here to help you navigate workplace challenges with confidence, understand your rights and responsibilities, and act.

How we support you

Our Optometry Advisor Help Desk or State Offices provide HR guidance for members. For more complex issues, we offer free initial legal advice through our trusted partner, Industry Legal Group (ILG)—a specialist legal service with deep experience in the optometry profession. In addition to advice, you can access complimentary drafting support to assist with your enquiries, including suggested wording for letters, emails, or contract clauses. If ILG is engaged on a complex matter beyond initial advice, a fee-estimate is provided at a discounted member rate.

Optometry Australia free HR helpline
📞 Tel: (03) 9668 8500
📩 Email: OAhelpdesk@optometry.org.au
Industry Legal Group (ILG) OA Member Assist
📞 Tel: 1300 101 391
📩 Email: oa@industrylegalgroup.com.au

Or submit an enquiry form.

Employee members

Download FAQ: Workplace rights and HR for employee optometrists

Whether you need help understanding your contract before signing, facing workplace issues, or need support during an HR meeting, we can help. We provide advice and help you take action on:

• Employment contracts
• Workplace disputes
• Parental leave entitlements
• Bullying or discrimination
• Performance and disciplinary processes
• Termination and redundancy
• General workplace rights and responsibilities

An optometrist advisor can act as your HR support person in meetings. This is a free service and is not time-limited.

Employer members

In partnership with ILG, we help practice owners and managers with practical, optometry-specific HR support: 

• Template employment contracts for optometrists and ancillary staff at member-discount rates  
• Conflict mediation and resolution strategies 
• Guidance on recruitment, performance management, disciplinary actions, termination, redundancy and unfair dismissal 
• Policy development, tailored to your workplace 

We uphold strict confidentiality procedures. If both an employer and employee seek assistance on the same issue, each will be supported independently, with complete confidentiality. Independent legal support for each party can be provided.  

Locum members

We provide advice on:

• Whether you’re a casual employee or independent contractor, based on Fair Work’s Closing Loopholes laws
• Key differences between contractors and employees
• Changes to casual employment laws

Free Contractor Locum Agreement Template
As part of your membership, locums who operate as independent contractors can access an optometrist-specific Locum Agreement Template—designed to set expectations, ideal for when the employer engaging you does not provide one. While not intended for businesses hiring contractors, it saves members hundreds in legal costs.

Contact us for your free copy.

Public Liability Insurance

Locums may require public liability insurance because the business engaging them requires their locums to hold individual insurance before commencing work as a contractor. As part of OA membership, locums who are contractors have public liability insurance covered at no-cost.

Learn more here.