Regulating Australia’s optometrists​

The Optometry Board of Australia works to ensure that Australia's optometrists are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practise. Public safety is our priority.

Want to register as an optometrist?

How to apply

Concerned about an optometrist?

How to report

Want to register as an optometrist?

How to apply

Concerned about an optometrist?

How to report
Smiling optometrist Photo of an optometrist

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Information for

  • All

  • Public

  • Optometrists

  • Students

  • International applicants

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The Optometry Board of Australia supports safe practice by publishing regulatory standards, codes and guidelines, updates and other resources for optometrists, employers, students and the public.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are warned this site may contain images, names and voices of deceased persons.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Resources supporting the public
Ahpra and the National Boards have published information for the public to help make safer healthcare choices.
What we’re doing

Need to know

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Requirements for registration

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Current policies

BOARD NEWS

Our latest newsletter

NOTIFICATIONS

How we manage concerns about practitioners

Latest news

DATA AND STATISTICS

Quarterly registration data released

BOARD NEWS

Call for applications for appointment to the Optometry Board of Australia

CONSULTATION

Have your say on draft guidelines for practitioners who perform and who advertise non-surgical cosmetic procedures

Ahpra_Card_nationallaw_20230518

LEGAL REFORMS

Changes to the law governing health practitioners

Wide-ranging reforms of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law focused on public safety.

NOTIFICATIONS

Have a concern about a practitioner?

I have a concern. Am I in the right place?

What happens when someone reports a concern?

Who is required to make a mandatory notification?

CPD

Continuing professional development

CPD documents for practitioners

CPD questions answered

CPD registration standard (PDF 75KB)

Photo of two people talking at a table

PUBLIC SAFETY

Practitioner search

Look up your optometrist to check their registration status, qualifications and suitability to care for you.

Graphic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork

PUBLIC SAFETY

Eliminating racism from healthcare

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy

PUBLIC SAFETY

What to expect when you see an optometrist

A guide to help the public know what to expect (PDF 46KB)

Optometrists have a code of conduct that sets out the standards expected of them

The code of conduct is translated into Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Greek, Italian and Vietnamese

RESOURCES

Resources for optometrists

Registration standards

Codes, guidelines and policies

Fact sheets and FAQs

Resources supporting your professional practice

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

What to expect if a concern is raised about you

Students in lecture theater

EDUCATION

Search approved programs of study

Find the education and training programs that can lead to registration as an optometrist.

Graphic of greetings in different languages

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Translations available

Read about safe healthcare practice and COVID-19 in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Greek, Italian or Vietnamese.

Newborn Baby Healthcare

PODCAST

Conversations about safe healthcare

On our Taking care podcast we talk with the community about the safe delivery of healthcare in Australia.

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce webinar series

Through listening to the experiences of Indigenous practitioners, we aim to increase and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

EMPLOYER SERVICES

Check the credentials of your health employees and sign up for alerts

Practitioner information exchange (PIE)

Check employee registration status

Check multiple registrations

Photo of committee meeting

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Join a board, committee or panel

Would you like to help protect the safety of the public and contribute to health practitioner regulation?

TRIBUNAL SUMMARY

Court and tribunal decisions

We publish summaries of court and tribunal outcomes to help practitioners and the public understand safe practice and acceptable and unacceptable levels of care and behaviour.

Ahpra health practitioner shared code of conduct

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Shared code of conduct

Learn about the behaviour that is expected of practitioners in 12 regulated health professions.

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Endorsement for scheduled medicines

Read the registration standard and guidelines for optometrists who are granted an endorsement for scheduled medicines. 

Ahpra registration checklist

REGISTRATION

Audit requirements

Audits ensure optometrists are meeting their mandatory registration standards.

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice

This standard sets out the requirements of limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice.

DATA AND STATISTICS

Optometry demographic and registration data

Statistics

Demographic snapshot

Annual report

Health profession agreement

carousel image
PUBLIC SAFETY

Resources supporting the public
Ahpra and the National Boards have published information for the public to help make safer healthcare choices.
What we’re doing
carousel image
GET INVOLVED

Apply to join a Board committee

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to join the Board’s Policy Education Committee and Registration and Notifications committee.

Learn More

Need to know

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Requirements for registration

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Current policies

BOARD NEWS

Our latest newsletter

NOTIFICATIONS

How we manage concerns about practitioners

Latest news

DATA AND STATISTICS

Quarterly registration data released

BOARD NEWS

Call for applications for appointment to the Optometry Board of Australia

CONSULTATION

Have your say on draft guidelines for practitioners who perform and who advertise non-surgical cosmetic procedures

Photo of two people talking at a table

PUBLIC SAFETY

Practitioner search

Look up your optometrist to check their registration status, qualifications and suitability to care for you.

NOTIFICATIONS

Have a concern about a practitioner?

I have a concern. Am I in the right place?

What happens when someone reports a concern?

Who is required to make a mandatory notification?

PUBLIC SAFETY

What to expect when you see an optometrist

A guide to help the public know what to expect (PDF 46KB)

Optometrists have a code of conduct that sets out the standards expected of them

The code of conduct is translated into Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Greek, Italian and Vietnamese

Graphic of greetings in different languages

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Translations available

Read about safe healthcare practice and COVID-19 in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Greek, Italian or Vietnamese.

2022/23 annual report out now

BOARD NEWS

2022/23 annual report out now

Read about the work of the Optometry Board of Australia in 2022/23.

Graphic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork

PUBLIC SAFETY

Eliminating racism from healthcare

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy

Students in lecture theater

EDUCATION

Search approved programs of study

Find the education and training programs that can lead to registration as an optometrist.

Newborn Baby Healthcare

PODCAST

Conversations about safe healthcare

On our Taking care podcast we talk with the community about the safe delivery of healthcare in Australia.

Ahpra_Card_nationallaw_20230518

LEGAL REFORMS

Changes to the law governing health practitioners

Wide-ranging reforms of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law focused on public safety.

Photo of committee meeting

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Join a board, committee or panel

Would you like to help protect the safety of the public and contribute to health practitioner regulation?

TRIBUNAL SUMMARY

Court and tribunal decisions

We publish summaries of court and tribunal outcomes to help practitioners and the public understand safe practice and acceptable and unacceptable levels of care and behaviour.

DATA AND STATISTICS

Optometry demographic and registration data

Statistics

Demographic snapshot

Annual report

Health profession agreement

carousel image
PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

Supporting safe healthcare
Check out the resource hub that supports professional practice and safe healthcare by all regulated health professionals, including optometrists.
Access resources
carousel image
GET INVOLVED

Apply to join a Board committee

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to join the Board’s Policy Education Committee and Registration and Notifications committee.

Learn More

Need to know

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Requirements for registration

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Current policies

BOARD NEWS

Our latest newsletter

NOTIFICATIONS

How we manage concerns about practitioners

Latest news

DATA AND STATISTICS

Quarterly registration data released

BOARD NEWS

Call for applications for appointment to the Optometry Board of Australia

CONSULTATION

Have your say on draft guidelines for practitioners who perform and who advertise non-surgical cosmetic procedures

RESOURCES

Resources for optometrists

Registration standards

Codes, guidelines and policies

Fact sheets and FAQs

Resources supporting your professional practice

Ahpra health practitioner shared code of conduct

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Shared code of conduct

Learn about the behaviour that is expected of practitioners in 12 regulated health professions.

CPD

Continuing professional development

CPD documents for practitioners

CPD questions answered

CPD registration standard (PDF 75KB)

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Endorsement for scheduled medicines

Read the registration standard and guidelines for optometrists who are granted an endorsement for scheduled medicines. 

Ahpra registration checklist

REGISTRATION

Audit requirements

Audits ensure optometrists are meeting their mandatory registration standards.

Ahpra_Card_nationallaw_20230518

LEGAL REFORMS

Changes to the law governing health practitioners

Wide-ranging reforms of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law focused on public safety.

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

What to expect if a concern is raised about you

Graphic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork

PUBLIC SAFETY

Eliminating racism from healthcare

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce webinar series

Through listening to the experiences of Indigenous practitioners, we aim to increase and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

EMPLOYER SERVICES

Check the credentials of your health employees and sign up for alerts

Practitioner information exchange (PIE)

Check employee registration status

Check multiple registrations

Students in lecture theater

EDUCATION

Search approved programs of study

Find the education and training programs that can lead to registration as an optometrist.

TRIBUNAL SUMMARY

Court and tribunal decisions

We publish summaries of court and tribunal outcomes to help practitioners and the public understand safe practice and acceptable and unacceptable levels of care and behaviour.

Photo of committee meeting

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Join a board, committee or panel

Would you like to help protect the safety of the public and contribute to health practitioner regulation?

NOTIFICATIONS

Have a concern about a practitioner?

I have a concern. Am I in the right place?

What happens when someone reports a concern?

Who is required to make a mandatory notification?

Photo of two people talking at a table

PUBLIC SAFETY

Practitioner search

Look up your optometrist to check their registration status, qualifications and suitability to care for you.

DATA AND STATISTICS

Optometry demographic and registration data

Statistics

Demographic snapshot

Annual report

Health profession agreement

2022/23 annual report out now

BOARD NEWS

2022/23 annual report out now

Read about the work of the Optometry Board of Australia in 2022/23.

carousel image
PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

'Ready to work' webinar now available
This webinar for new graduates can help them understand what is required of them as they prepare to start work.
Watch it now
carousel image
PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

Supporting safe healthcare
Check out the resource hub that supports professional practice and safe healthcare by all regulated health professionals, including optometrists.
Access resources

Need to know

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Requirements for registration

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Current policies

BOARD NEWS

Our latest newsletter

NOTIFICATIONS

How we manage concerns about practitioners

Latest news

DATA AND STATISTICS

Quarterly registration data released

BOARD NEWS

Call for applications for appointment to the Optometry Board of Australia

CONSULTATION

Have your say on draft guidelines for practitioners who perform and who advertise non-surgical cosmetic procedures

RESOURCES

Resources for optometrists

Registration standards

Codes, guidelines and policies

Fact sheets and FAQs

Resources supporting your professional practice

Ahpra health practitioner shared code of conduct

CODES AND GUIDELINES

Shared code of conduct

Learn about the behaviour that is expected of practitioners in 12 regulated health professions.

Students in lecture theater

EDUCATION

Search approved programs of study

Find the education and training programs that can lead to registration as an optometrist.

Photo of two people talking at a table

PUBLIC SAFETY

Practitioner search

Look up your optometrist to check their registration status, qualifications and suitability to care for you.

Ahpra registration checklist

REGISTRATION

Audit requirements

Audits ensure optometrists are meeting their mandatory registration standards.

Ahpra_Card_nationallaw_20230518

LEGAL REFORMS

Changes to the law governing health practitioners

Wide-ranging reforms of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law focused on public safety.

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

What to expect if a concern is raised about you

Graphic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork

PUBLIC SAFETY

Eliminating racism from healthcare

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy

PRACTITIONER SUPPORT

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce webinar series

Through listening to the experiences of Indigenous practitioners, we aim to increase and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

NOTIFICATIONS

Have a concern about a practitioner?

I have a concern. Am I in the right place?

What happens when someone reports a concern?

Who is required to make a mandatory notification?

Photo of committee meeting

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Join a board, committee or panel

Would you like to help protect the safety of the public and contribute to health practitioner regulation?

DATA AND STATISTICS

Optometry demographic and registration data

Statistics

Demographic snapshot

Annual report

Health profession agreement

carousel image
REGISTRATION

International optometrists
To work as an optometrist in Australia you must be registered with the Optometry Board of Australia. Some overseas-trained optometrists may need to meet specific requirements before being registered.
Check the requirements
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REGISTRATION

Want to work in Australia?
General information about applying to work as a health practitioner in Australia is available for international applicants. Find out about the process and what you must include in your application.
Access resources

Need to know

BOARD NEWS

Our latest newsletter

REGISTRATION

Standards for optometrists

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice

REGISTRATION STANDARDS

Limited registration for teaching or research