Guide helps public know what to expect when visiting an optometrist

30 Sep 2019

The Optometry Board of Australia (the Board) today released an information guide to help the public know what to expect when visiting a registered optometrist or optician.

Board Chair Mr Ian Bluntish said the guide provides plain language information about safe, effective and professional treatment and how to report complaints or concerns.

‘Registration by the Optometry Board shows an optometrist has met our high standard to practise in Australia. Anyone visiting an optometrist can expect good care that takes their individual needs into account. If optometrists fall short of that standard, the Board wants to know,’ Mr Bluntish said.

Just 1.2 per cent of more than 5,500 optometrists in Australia were the subject of a complaint or concern in the 2017–18 financial year, with the vast majority providing world-class optical care.

The Board works with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to regulate optometrists and opticians and its role is to protect the public. All optometrists and opticians must be registered with the Board to practise in Australia.

The guide is available on the Board’s website.

More information

• Access a copy of the guide. 
• Visit the Optometry Board website.
• For online enquiries visit www.ahpra.gov.au/enquiry.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 8708 9009 (overseas callers).
• For media enquiries: 03 8708 9200.