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.

Information for

  • All

  • Public

  • Optometrists

  • Students

  • International applicants

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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REGISTRATION

Online registration renewal is open

Optometrists are invited to renew their registration online before 30 November.
Renew now
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REGISTRATION

Graduate registration now open

If you’re completing an approved course in the next three months, you can apply for registration now.
Learn more
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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
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BOARD NEWS

Apply now to join the Board

There are multiple practitioner member and community member vacancies arising on the Board.

Learn more
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 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

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.

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.

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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
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
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 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.

carousel image
REGISTRATION

Online registration renewal is open

Optometrists are invited to renew their registration online before 30 November.
Renew 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
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
carousel image
BOARD NEWS

Apply now to join the Board

There are multiple practitioner member and community member vacancies arising on the Board.

Learn more
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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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
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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
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.

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.

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?

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