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Considering optometry as a career?

Optometry is an extremely rewarding career choice that we encourage you to consider. We believe that a career in optometry and the vision sciences will provide you with immense satisfaction as you will play a key role in helping individuals and communities to protect and care for their eye health and vision.

Your patients will benefit from your ability to prevent, detect, manage and treat eye conditions that may lead to vision loss and even blindness.

What study do I need to do?

If you are considering a career in optometry you will be required to complete a university degree over a 3.5–7-year duration, depending on which university you enrol in. You can find out more on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website by searching for ‘Approved Programs of Study’.

Career pathways

Once you graduate there are many paths that you can take. You could:

  • work in clinical practice
  • work in a hospital or a community health centre such as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health service
  • deliver visiting outreach services to underserviced communities
  • try working, studying or volunteering overseas
  • participate in local and international eye outreach programs
  • follow your passion into vision research or academia
  • own your own optometry business
  • work as an industry representative for various optical companies
  • work as a clinical teacher at various universities

If you:

  • have a social and friendly personality
  • have a genuine desire to help others
  • can demonstrate strong communication and academic skills
  • possess the motivation to want to continually learn

you could make a wonderful optometrist and we would welcome you to our profession.

Resources

Considering optometry as a career (brochure)

What happens in an eye examination?

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Acknowledgement of Country

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.