You are here: Home > Practice & professional support > Students > Getting registered & preparing for practice

Getting registered and preparing for practise

This information is for optometry students in their final year of university study and outlines the steps required to become a registered optometrist in Australia. As a student enrolled in a health practitioner training program, you are already registered with the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Your university automatically completes this student registration on your behalf. Once you are ready to graduate from university, you must then apply for graduate registration as a registered health practitioner via AHPRA.

Login now to access this content

This content is restricted to Optometry Australia members. If you are not a member, and would like to access our site’s wealth of information supporting members in their practice, clinical care and professional development, join our organisation today.

Login now

or  register for membership with Optometry Australia

You might be interested in

Australians sweep top awards at American Academy of Optometry

Australian optometry has earned international recognition, with three Australian researchers receiving major awards at the American Academy of Optometry’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, on 2 October. This recognition highlights the significant contribution Australian optometrists are making to eye health research and innovation on the global stage. 
Australians sweep top awards at American Academy of Optometry View

Ahpra issues new guidance on financial and commercial conflicts of interest

New interim guidance from Ahpra reinforces the importance of independent clinical judgement and warns employers about commercial pressures that may compromise patient care. The guidance is particularly relevant to optometrists working in environments where commercial or financial incentives may intersect with clinical decision-making. 
Ahpra issues new guidance on financial and commercial conflicts of interest View

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.