National

Our student leadership program is designed to give students the skills they need to become a future leader within the optometry profession.

The program includes a variety of coaching sessions focusing on different models of leadership, understanding the purpose of leadership and clarifying guiding values. It is designed to ensure optometry’s emerging leaders have the skills to navigate the anticipated opportunities and challenges of a changing optometry landscape.

Participants are also provided opportunities to network formally and informally with established leaders in optometry.

The 2021 Student Leadership Program has been scheduled to run in Melbourne from Tuesday 15 June to Wednesday 16 June 2021 and has 14 places available. While participants will be supported to attend in person, we appreciate there are still travel/border closure concerns due to COVID and so virtual attendance will be available where necessary.

2021 Applications are open

Applications are due by Friday 16 April 2021. Interested students are invited to draft a brief one-page application, responding to the below questions:

1. What do you think being a leader means?
2. What leadership experience have you had?
3. Why do you think you would benefit from participating in the Optometry Australia Student Leadership Program?

Email your application, along with a brief (100-200 word) written referral from a lecturer or tutor at your university, to Sarah Davies, at policy@optometry.org.au.

Successful candidates will be notified shortly afterwards and Optometry Australia will provide funding support for meals, accommodation and travel to attend.

Students who have attended this program have called it “life-changing”, “invaluable” and the opportunity to be “future-ready”. We look forward to receiving your application!