Optometrist (NSW) | Job Guide

Optometrist (NSW/ACT)

Education and Training:

To become an optometrist you usually have to study optometry at university. To get into the course below you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in English advanced, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. You must also sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT) with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). See www.acer.edu.au for more details. Contact the university for more information as requirements may change.

Degree Courses:

University of New South Wales - Kensington Campus:

Bachelor of Optometry/Bachelor of Science, 5 years full time

Additional Information:

To practise as an optometrist, it is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the Optometrists Registration Board of the state or territory in which they intend to work.

In March 2008 the Commonwealth, state and territory governments agreed to introduce a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for a number of health occupations, including optometrists. This new national system will replace the existing state-based registration requirements and is due to be implemented in July 2010. For full details see the National Health Workforce Taskforce website (www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp).

Related Courses:

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Bachelor of Optometry / Bachelor of Science

Employment Opportunities:

Most graduates enter private practice on completion of their course. Some graduates choose to embark on non-clinical careers that make use of their skills as visual scientists. Most non-clinical positions are in universities and research organisations or with companies involved in the manufacture of optical instruments and lenses.

As optometry becomes more diversified, opportunities for specialisation in areas such as sports vision, children's vision and industrial vision practices are increasing.