Taking action on workforce pressures

Earlier this year, we released the Optometry Workforce Projections Study showing that, based on current demand for eye care, Australia currently has an oversupply of optometrists.  

We are deeply concerned by reports that another regional university is considering establishing a new optometry program. Last year, Optometry Queensland Northern Territory took action regarding a similar proposal in Northern Queensland. We strongly oppose further expansion of optometry programs in Australia and have strongly expressed these concerns to both universities in question. We will continue to advocate against these, and any other new programs being considered.

Localised issues in accessing optometric care are not due to a shortage of optometry graduates nationally. Simply increasing overall graduate numbers will not fix workforce maldistribution; this requires smarter solutions.

While evidence shows that training students from high-need regions and closer to home can help improve local retention, this must be achieved without increasing the overall number of optometry graduates. We call on universities to act responsibly and explore innovative pathways that support local students while ensuring no net expansion of the annual cohort.

We’re also responding to shared concerns about workforce conditions.

There is no doubt that rapidly increasing workforce supply is taking a toll on the profession. Earlier this year, Flinders University research confirmed that many employed optometrists are experiencing moral distress driven by workplace conditions that undermine clinical autonomy, job satisfaction and wellbeing.

Based on this research, our Position Statement on Workforce Conditions set out clear standards for safe, sustainable and rewarding workplaces. We have met with senior leaders from most large employers advocating alignment with this statement. Many expressed support and a genuine commitment to meaningful change.

Unacceptably, this commitment is not yet universal. We continue to hear regularly from members about workforce conditions that put at risk practitioner and patient wellbeing. OA calls on all employers of optometrists to ensure workplace practices that protect the integrity of clinical decision making, safeguard patient and practitioner wellbeing and enable fulfilling professional experiences. Workplaces that fall short of this standard – or worse, encourage optometrists to practise in ways that contravene their regulatory responsibilities under the Ahpra shared Code of Conduct – fail the profession, and their patients.

We’ve raised these concerns directly with the Ahpra CEO and strongly encourage any optometrists pressured to work in contravention of the Code to seek support and advice from our Optometry Advisor Help Desk.

Finally, we also recognise our responsibility to ensure increased community awareness of optometry, optometrists and eye health. Targeted strategies to address barriers for underserved populations are required to drive increased utilisation of optometry services and ensure community demand aligns with population eye health needs. We will share more information on these issues in the coming weeks and will invite you to get involved in identifying solutions and advocating for their implementation.

We look forward to working together for a robust future for optometry.