Recency of practice

Recency of practice means that an optometrist has maintained an adequate connection with, and recent practice in optometry since qualifying for, or obtaining registration.

Registration standard

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

Further information

The following additional document has been developed to supplement the registration standard by providing further information to optometrists regarding the Optometry Board’s expectations and requirements. This document should be read in conjunction with the standard.

Return to practice guidance for optometrists

For more information on supervision and to access supervision documents, please visit the Codes, Guidelines and Policies, page.

Consultation process for the recency of practice standard

The current Registration standard: Recency of practice was developed after a review of the retired standard, which included public consultation. The public consultation paper provides an overview of the consultation process, rationale for any changes and sets out the proposed way forward, including areas where further work is planned. This is found on the Past consultations page.

The Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council approval letter for the registration standard is found on the Ministerial Council Directions and Approval page.

Retired version

The retired version of the registration standard is no longer in effect.

Note: If a practitioner is selected for audit, they 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.