Optometry Australia statement on workplace pressures and clinical autonomy

 

Recent media coverage has raised serious concerns about workplace pressures, commercial expectations and patient care in parts of the optometry sector. Optometry Australia takes these concerns seriously.

We recognise the genuine pressures some optometrists have reported experiencing, including inadequate consultation times, excessive workloads, reduced professional autonomy and inappropriate commercial expectations. These conditions are unacceptable where they compromise practitioner wellbeing, ethical practice or the quality of patient care.

The coverage draws selectively on comments and information provided by Optometry Australia and does not reflect the full context or position we shared.

Our position is clear: optometrists are healthcare professionals first, and their clinical judgement must never be compromised by sales targets, financial incentives or other commercial pressures.

KPIs, quotas or incentives must not encourage over-servicing, influence clinical recommendations or conflict with an optometrist’s ethical and professional responsibilities. This is consistent with the Ahpra Shared Code of Conduct, which makes clear that financial incentives, performance targets and business practices must not compromise professional judgement or patient safety.

An image circulated with the media coverage appears to outline sales and treatment-related targets for an individual corporate practice. Optometry Australia has not independently verified the source or authenticity of this document. However, targets of this nature are inappropriate if they create pressure to recommend products, services or treatments that are not based solely on the clinical needs and best interests of the individual patient.

Practices must be financially sustainable, and Optometry Australia recognises that inadequate Medicare rebates and an over-reliance on bulk billing are contributing pressures that also need to be addressed. However, these challenges do not justify financial objectives overriding clinical judgement, professional obligations or patient need. Safe, patient-centred care depends on appropriate consultation times, manageable workloads, protected clinical and administrative time, supportive leadership and the ability to raise concerns without fear of negative consequences. Optometrists must have the time, autonomy and workplace support to make decisions based on their professional expertise and the needs of each patient.

Routine double-booking and inflexible appointment schedules are inconsistent with those conditions. Appointment structures should also allow sufficient flexibility to respond to urgent and emergency cases.

While these workplace concerns require action, Australians should continue to have confidence in their optometrists who provide safe, accessible and high-quality care.

Australian workforce research shows that, despite the pressures some employed optometrists experience, a strong majority remain confident in their ability to respond to individual patient needs, practise in line with accepted standards and provide high-quality care.

This reflects the professionalism, resilience and commitment of Australia’s optometrists. Even in challenging workplace environments, optometrists continue to put patients first and uphold high standards of care.

That professionalism should be recognised, but it must not be taken for granted. Optometrists should not have to rely on personal resilience to overcome workplace conditions that undermine their wellbeing, duty or professional autonomy as clinicians.

Optometrists are highly trained, registered health practitioners who take their ethical and professional responsibilities seriously. The experiences reported in the media highlight workplace issues that require attention.

The available evidence shows that optometrists remain strongly committed to safe, responsive and high-quality care, often while navigating significant workplace pressures.

Optometry Australia will soon launch a workforce strategy consultation with members and stakeholders that will examine these challenges in greater depth and work together on practical solutions. Our positions, advocacy priorities and future initiatives will be shaped by the experiences and views of optometrists across the profession. OA’s investment in the Working Conditions of Employee Optometrists in Australia research survey was an important first step in building a clearer picture of workplace conditions. The next step is to engage directly with members on a broader strategy to strengthen the optometry workforce and address the pressures affecting practitioners across different workplaces and practice models.

Optometry Australia will continue to advocate for workplace conditions that protect clinical independence, support practitioner wellbeing and enable high-quality patient care. We will work constructively with optometrists, employers and other stakeholders across all ownership and practice models, while continuing to call out practices that place commercial pressure ahead of professional judgement or patient need.