To work as an optometrist in Australia you must be registered with the Optometry Board Australia.

As an International Medical Professional, your qualifications must be assessed to determine if they meet Australian standards. The Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) assesses overseas qualifications for International Medical Graduates. If you are registered to practice in New Zealand, or if you are applying for a Visa, please see information below.

Key Terms: Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ); Competency in Optometry Examination (COE);

You must first apply to undertake the Competency in Optometry Examination (COE) through OCANZ before registering with the Optometry Board of Australia. Your optometry degree and school must be eligible according to OCANZ to sit the COE. There are two streams for application;

  1. applicants with qualifications listed for direct application to the COE (this process takes up to 4 weeks once you have submitted the application).
  2. applicants with qualifications NOT listed for direct application to the COE . You must submit your qualifications and experience to be deemed eligible to complete the COE (this process takes up to 8 weeks once you have submitted the application).

COE Streams

Listed qualifications

If your qualifications have been assessed as eligible, you will need to complete the COE to practice in Australia.

The COE has 3 components;

  1. Written exam: multiple choice and short answer
  2. Cultural Safety Training
  3. Clinical Examination

You must pass the written exam and cultural safety training before completing the clinical examination. The clinical examination takes place in Melbourne, Australia over the period of 5 days. You must pass 12 optometric skills at 6 stations, and 3 out of 4 patient examinations. If you wish to/ are required to practice under supervision prior to completing the clinical component of the examination, you must gain limited registration with the Optometry Board once you have successfully passed the written component of the COE. You will require a high level of direct supervision as determined by the Board, until you pass the clinical examination.

COE Information

Optometry Board Registration

To be elegible for general registration in Australia, you must demonstrate competency in ocular theraputics. You can do this by either enrolling in an approved program of post-graduate study in ocular therapeutics in Australia or complete the ACOT if you have previously completed training in ocular therapeutics.

The ACOT includes 3 case reports of patients requiring therapeutic management, and an oral examination. All 3 case reports must be passed before you undertake the oral examination.

Once you have completed the training and assessment in Ocular Therapeutics, you may apply for general registration with the Optometry Board of Australia.

Post-graduate study

ACOT

New Zealand registered professionals

If you graduated from an accredited New Zealand program of study in optometry, you can apply for general registration with the Optometry Board of Australia. If you are a New Zealand citizen, you can work in Australia without a visa. If you are a New Zealand permanent resident, you will need to apply for a visa to work in Australia.

Visa applicants

If you are applying for a working visa to live and work in Australia, you will need to gain a skills assessment from OCANZ. You will apply for the skills assessment while applying for the COE.

Need to know

Estimated Costs (in AUD)
  • COE fees: between $11,600 and $12,000, depending on your cicumstances. Click here for more information.
  • ACOT fees: $4100 including application and examination. Click here for more information.
  • Registration fees: $750 including application and registration. Click here for more information.
Estimated time commitment
  • 4 - 8 weeks to process an COE application. The COE takes place twice a year.
  • Supervised practice as determined by the board prior to or in conjunction with completing the clinical examination.
  • The ACOT is completed as arranged and will take at minimum 3-4 months including submission of case reports and organisation of oral examination.
  • 1-year post-graduate study in Ocular Therapeutics if required.
  • Estimated time committment: 18-months to 2-years minimum to complete each step to achieve general registration.
Required documents
  • Current and valid passport.
  • Official certificate of your degree from the issuing institution.
  • Evidence of supervised clinical training (a minimum of one academic year full-time equivalent is required).
  • Certificates from all authorities in which you are registered as an Optometrist.
  • Course handbook outlining the units completed in your degree, subject matter, hours completed and a list of prescribed textbooks.
  • Please refer to "form 3" on the OCANZ website for further details on the documents required.
English language requirements
  • Registration with the Optometry Board requires English language proficiency. Please see the Ahpra website for English language skills standard and ways to assess your English language skills. Find the link under Useful Resources below.

Useful resources

Registration Standards

English Language Skills

OCANZ

Optometry Board

Other career options

If you are unable to gain recognition for your full qualifications, here are some other options for careers you may pursue in Australia;

  • Optometric Assistant

Download a summary of this guide

Optometrist Printable Guide
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