Optometry Australia takes the increasing concern about workforce oversupply in optometry very seriously. With new optometry graduates facing challenges in securing employment and growing evidence of an expanding workforce, we have again made a formal submission to the Federal Government’s Occupation Shortage List (OSL) survey.
Late last year, Optometry Australia commissioned a comprehensive national survey examining the working conditions of employed optometrists. Led by Professor Nicola Anstice from Flinders University, with support from a dedicated team of co-investigators, the survey gathered responses from over 500 optometrists.
Last year, we informed members that as part of the Federal Budget 2024-25, the Commonwealth Government would implement recommendations made by the MBS Review Taskforce relating to optometry items. These changes have been confirmed and come into effect from 1 March 2025.
A new report, The Value of Expanding Optometrists’ Prescribing Rights in Australia prepared by HTANALYSTS and commissioned by Optometry Australia has highlighted the key potential financial and health benefits of expanding optometrists’ scope to prescribe oral medicines for ocular conditions in Australia.
Optometry Australia’s 2025 Federal Election campaign, Eyes on Medicare, officially launched today, with coverage featured in The Australian.
From 1 September 2024, optometrists can offer patients a 60-day prescription for certain medications listed on the PBS, provided they are assessed to be stable on their current treatment and meet other eligibility criteria specific to each medicine. These include topical dry eye drops and glaucoma medications.
Two Australian optometrists, Dr Kate Gifford and Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton, have brought their expertise to the forefront of the international optometry community at the 2025 Global Speciality Lens Symposium (GSLS).
Nominations are now open for Optometry Australia’s 2025 H Barry Collin Research Medal.
Optometry Australia is convening a second Rural and Outreach COPE Group for optometrists who provide eye health care services to rural and remote communities. COPE groups provide an excellent way to meet your CPD requirements providing (independent) interactive clinical case-based discussions up to eight times a year.
Lisa Lombardi and Pauline Xu have each been awarded a travel scholarship as part of Optometry Australia’s 2025 Looking Outward on Optometric Knowledge (LOOK) International program.
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.
