Media release

02 Oct 2013

New registration type now available: Limited registration for teaching or research

Overseas-trained optometrists can now apply for limited registration for teaching or research when offered a position in Australia.

At its meeting on 26 July 2013, the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council approved the new registration type. Coming into effect on 2 October 2013, it offers optometrists who meet the Optometry Board of Australia’s standard limited registration for a specific job or position.

Optometrists who are granted this type of registration will be published on the publicly available Register of Optometrists, including details of their registration.

The requirements of the new registration type are outlined in the Optometry Board of Australia’s Registration standard: Limited registration for teaching or research available on the Registration standards section of the Board’s website.

Further guidance is available in the accompanying FAQ: Limited registration for teaching or research.

Optometry Board of Australia Chair Mr Colin Waldron said this was another important step in the regulation of optometry in Australia.

‘Maintaining public safety is the key focus for the Board. Ensuring that optometrists, including overseas trained practitioners, meet the Board’s national standards is vital’, Mr Waldron said.

‘This new registration type will facilitate Australian optometrists’ access to teaching and research by overseas practitioners, while ensuring that the Board’s standards are still met’, he said.

Like all types of limited registration under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (National Law), limited registration can only be held for up to 12 months, and can only be renewed up to three times.

For more information 

• Visit the Optometry Board website
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 8708 9001 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

Download a PDF copy of this Media release - 2 October 2013 (125 KB,PDF).