Optometry Board of Australia - Codes, Guidelines and Policies
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Codes, Guidelines and Policies

The Optometry Board of Australia has developed codes, guidelines and policies to provide guidance to the profession.

Codes and guidelines

Document PDF Accessible format Date of effect
Guideline - Informing a National Board about where you practise  PDF 
(152 KB) 		 Word version 
(590 KB,DOCX)		 1 August 2018
Code of conduct

For more information see Code of conduct page 		 PDF (323KB) Web page  29 June 2022
Guidelines on the prescription of optical appliances PDF
(82.8 KB)		 Word version
(369 KB,DOCX)		 1 June 2016 
Optometry guidelines for use of scheduled medicines PDF
(120KB)		 Word version
(216 KB,DOCX)		 10 December 2021
Appendix B of the Guidelines for use of scheduled medicines:  Board-approved list of topical schedule 2, 3 and 4 medicines that optometrists with a scheduled medicines endorsement are qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, supply or use for the purposes of the practice of optometry PDF 
(24.8KB)		 Web page 10 December 2021
Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered health practitioners* PDF 
(250 KB)		 Web page 1 March 2020
Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered students** PDF 
(150 KB)		 Web page 1 March 2020
Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service PDF
(192 KB)		 Web page 14 December 2020
Guidelines: Continuing professional development  

For further information, see Continuing Professional Development		 PDF 
(193 KB)		 Word version 
(441 KB,DOCX)		 1 December 2020

Return to practice guidance for optometrists

Document PDF Accessible format Date of effect
Guide - Tips for taking a break from practice
 PDF
(193KB)
 Word version
(156 KB,DOCX)
 25 May 2020 
Frequently asked questions - Return to practice
 PDF
(214KB)
 Word version
(186 KB,DOCX)
 25 May 2020
Information sheet - Returning to practice or significantly changing scope of practice
 PDF
(245 KB)
Word version
(170 KB,DOCX)
25 May 2020 
Template - Professional development - return to practice
 PDF
(93.9KB)
Word version
(267 KB,DOC) 
25 May 2020
Supervised practice plan template  PDF
(1.11MB)		   29 March 2023
After 1 June 2023: Attachment to the supervised practice plan at Section G: Supervised practice goals and activities – Optometry Australia Entry level competency standards for optometry 2022

This form should be used for all new applications and for applications for a change of circumstance.
  Word version
(173 KB,DOCX)		 1 June 2023
Checklist - Return to practice
PDF
(154KB)
Word version
(156 KB,DOCX)
 25 May 2020

Supervised practice

Document PDF Accessible format Date of effect
Supervised practice framework†  

For more information see Supervised practice framework page		 PDF 
(202KB) 		 Web page 1 February 2022 
Supervision guidelines

For more information see Supervised practice framework page		 PDF 
(76.0KB) 		 Web page 1 February 2022 

† The Supervised practice framework was updated in April 2023 to reflect the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia adopting the framework from 1 April 2023 and in November 2024 to reflect the Pharmacy Board of Australia adopting the framework for restrictions relating to supervised practice for health, conduct or performance concerns for pharmacists holding general registration only from 29 November 2024.

Entry-level Competency standards

Document PDF Date of effect
Optometry Australia's Entry-level competency standards for optometry 2022 PDF
(999KB)		 February 2023

Position statements

Document PDF Accessible format Document date 
No place for sexism, sexual harassment or violence in healthcare PDF 
(205KB)
 Word version 
(120 KB,DOCX) 		30 June 2021

Policies

Document PDF Accessible format Date of effect
Optometry policy considering invitations to attend events PDF 
(36.9 KB)		   27 February 2025

Policy directions

Under Section 11 of the National Law, as in force in each state and territory, the Ministerial Council may issue a National Board with policy directions. For more information on policy directions please go to Policy directions and guidance. 

Fact Sheets and FAQ

For more information, please go to Fact Sheets and FAQ.

Additional information

Document PDF Accessible format  Date of effect
Common Protocol - Informing notifiers about the reasons for National Board decisions  PDF 
(91.8KB)		 Word version 
(58.6 KB,DOCX) 		 1 August 2018
Summary of research to inform registration standards review PDF 
(117KB)		 Word version
(30.1 KB,DOCX) 		23 October 2019 
Managing health records – Self-reflective tool    Web page  20 April 2023 
Managing health records – Summary of obligations  PDF
(64KB) 		 Web page  20 April 2023 

Retired versions

Document PDF Accessible format Date of effect
Retired version: Optometry policy considering invitations to attend events PDF
(36.9 KB)
   to 26 February 2025
Retired version: Supervision report template PDF 
(85.1KB)		 Word version 
(114 KB,DOC)		 June 2014 to 1 April 2023
Retired version: Entry-level competency standards for optometry 2014 PDF
(999KB) 		   April 2014 to February 2023
Retired version: Code of conduct PDF
(334 KB)		   17 March 2014 to 28 June 2022
Retired version: Optometry supervision guidelines for optometrists PDF 
(383KB)		   April 2012 to 31 January 2022
Retired version: Optometry guidelines for use of scheduled medicines PDF 
(140KB)		 Word version
(472 KB,DOCX)		 18 October 2019 to 9 December 2021
Retired version: Guidelines for advertising regulated health services  PDF
(155KB) 		 To 13 December 2020
Retired version: Optometry guidelines on continuing professional development for endorsed and non-endorsed optometrists
 PDF 
(315KB)		   To 30 November 2020 
Retired version: Guidelines for mandatory notifications  PDF
(149KB) 		   To 29 February 2020 
Retired version: Optometry guidelines for use of scheduled medicines PDF
(84.8KB)		 Word version
(391 KB,DOCX)		 To 9 September 2018
Retired version: Optometry guidelines on the prescription of ocular appliances PDF
(289KB)		   To 31 May 2016
Retired version: Optometry policy health records  PDF
(81.5KB) 		   To 27 August 2015 
Retired version: Optometry policy infection control  PDF (80.0KB)    To 30 July 2015 
Retired version: Optometry guidelines for use of scheduled medicines PDF
(322KB)		 Word version
(434 KB,DOC)		 To 7 December 2014
» Optometry guidelines for use of scheduled medicines with 2014 changes highlighted PDF
(304KB)		 Word version
(390 KB,DOCX)		  
Retired version: Guidelines for mandatory notifications PDF
(420KB)		   To 16 March 2014
Retired version: Guidelines for advertising of regulated health services PDF
(456KB)		   To 16 March 2014

*The Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered health practitioners have been updated on 29 June 2020 to include minor formatting and word changes and changes to the flowcharts on pages 20, 22 and 26 of the guidelines.

**The Guidelines: Mandatory notifications about registered students have been updated on 29 June 2020 to include minor formatting and word changes and sections 39 and 40 of the National Law in Appendix A.

 
 
Page reviewed 8/04/2025
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