Unleashing the potential of optometrists: Scope of practice review

In October 2023, Optometry Australia provided initial feedback on the Australian Government’s Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Review (Scope of Practice Review), which is of vital interest to the optometrist profession.

The Scope of Practice Review, a recommendation of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report, assesses the barriers that prevent Australia’s healthcare practitioners, including optometrists, from working to the full extent of their skills and training to deliver best practice primary care. The Australian Government has provided funding for the now under way Review through the 2023-24 Budget.

CEO Skye Cappuccio said Optometry Australia strongly supports the Scope of Practice Review, which is crucial for improving access to eye care across the country.

‘As the first port of call for 80 per cent of people in relation to ocular health and often identifying eye disease in asymptomatic patients, optometrists are an integral part of Australia’s primary healthcare system,’ she said.

‘However, optometrists in Australia currently face more limitations than their counterparts in countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

‘Differing scopes of practice means that Australian optometrists are unable to provide the same level of care, despite having equivalent qualifications.’

Ms Cappuccio adds that optometrists face various funding, regulatory, technological, cultural and inter-professional barriers to maximising the utilisation of their professional skills and qualifications. These barriers can prevent optometrists from providing comprehensive treatment and support to their patients and make it more difficult to work collaboratively with other health professionals managing chronic eye health conditions.

‘Despite these challenges, optometrists have demonstrated their willingness to embrace enhancements to their scope of practice.

‘More than two-thirds of registered optometrists are therapeutically endorsed to prescribe topical scheduled medicines for the treatment of eye conditions. Moreover, collaborative models of care involving optometrists, ophthalmologists and other health professionals have emerged across in Australia, in public and private hospital settings, and in some of the most remote and disadvantaged communities with the assistance of telehealth.’

Optometry Australia believes it is vital that the Scope of Practice Review recommends meaningful changes which will have an ongoing beneficial impact on patient outcomes and the overall productivity of the health system.

‘We encourage the Scope of Practice Review to focus on the structural and systemic impediments that are holding back the broader rollout of innovative models of multidisciplinary care where health professionals practise to their full scope,’ Ms Cappuccio said.

‘By addressing these challenges, the Review has the potential to unlock the full potential of optometrists, as well as other healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.

‘We welcome the opportunity to provide input and look forward to further contributing to the Government’s ‘Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review’ throughout 2024.’

View Optometry Australia’s full Submission here. Phase 2 of the Review is currently open, with submissions due in early March 2024. Members interested in further information are encouraged to contact policy@optometry.org.au.