Criminal history

Registration standard

Registration standards define the requirements that applicants or registrants need to meet to be registered.

Further information

When an optometrist first applies for registration, the Optometry Board of Australia (the Board) requires the applicant to declare their criminal history in all countries, including Australia.

AHPRA on behalf of the Board must check an applicant’s criminal history during the registration process to ensure only those optometrists who are suitable and safe to practise are granted registration in Australia.

All optometrists must inform the Board if they are:

• charged with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more, or
• convicted or found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment in Australia and/or overseas.

When optometrists renew their registration they must disclose any changes to their criminal history.

You can read more about how criminal history checks are conducted on the criminal history checks page, and about what checks are required from countries other than Australia for some applicants and registrants on the international criminal history checks page.

Retired version

The previous version of the registration standard is no longer in effect.

Note: If you are selected for audit, you will be audited against the registration standard that was in effect during the audit period, or as otherwise specified. For more information on audits refer to the audit page.