Optometry Australia

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Optometry Australia is the peak professional body for optometrists. Optometry Australia is the national peak body for optometry in Australia.

We represent and support optometrists at every stage of their careers and work to advance the profession and the community’s eye health. All Australians deserve the best in primary eye health and vision care. Our purpose is to promote the prevention and control of eye conditions, and to lead, promote and engage in community eye health and the practice of optometry. Around 12 million Australians have reported long-term eye conditions, yet 90% of all vision impairment is preventable or treatable. We encourage all Australians to see their optometrist for regular eye examinations. We are a not-for-profit organisation and a registered health promotion charity, which means all of our profits are reinvested into services for our members and into our work to improve community eye health. Following the unification of our former state divisions, we are now one national peak body, supporting optometrists in every state and territory under a single organisation and one consistent national voice. Guided by our purpose, we:

- provide clinical education and professional support to optometrists, including a dedicated clinical help desk
- set professional standards and produce codes, guidelines and policies for the profession
- publish leading optometry and vision science journals and clinical resources
- run public campaigns to raise awareness of eye health and the importance of regular eye examinations
- hold clinical education conferences and training
- advocate on the issues that matter to optometrists and the role of optometry in the health system

We do this in a way that reflects our values: forward thinking, integrity, respect, responsiveness, accountability, strategic vision, teamwork and collegiality.

29/10/2026

📣 Registrations are NOW OPEN for Canberra Interactive Conference 2027!

Join us at the National Gallery of Australia for a day of practical learning, fresh clinical insights and valuable professional connections.

Designed with your everyday clinical practice in mind, Canberra Interactive is an opportunity to build your knowledge, strengthen your clinical confidence and connect with colleagues from across the profession.

📅 Sunday 28 February 2027
📍 Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
🎓 Up to 6.5 CPD hours

The full program and speaker announcements are coming soon. Additional CPD hours may be available if the proposed breakfast and dinner sessions proceed.

Secure your place today: https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/cpd-events/canberra-interactive-conference-2027/

26/10/2026

November is here, and it’s your final chance to earn CPD hours before the 30 November deadline! 📅
Make the most of the month with our final CPD opportunities of 2026, including Adelaide Interactive, plus a special end-of-year celebration for our future optometrists! 🎉

What’s coming up:
✅ 2 November: CPD Evening, WA – Neuro-Optometry in Clinical Practice: Learnings from Collaboration (1Ti)
✅ 13–14 November: Adelaide Interactive, Glenelg SA – Two days of interactive learning, valuable connections and Interactive CPD opportunities.
✅ 17 November: Webinar – Glaucoma Update: What’s Old, What’s Changed and What’s Next? (1T)
🎉 23 November: ECO End of Year O.D. Celebration, Subiaco WA (Non-CPD) – Celebrate the OD3 graduates and the end of the academic year with UWA staff and the graduating optometry class!

Whether you're completing your remaining CPD hours or connecting with colleagues before the year wraps up, there's something to look forward to this November.

Save • Plan • Register
Find CPD events near you and view the full program via our website:
https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/cpd-events/

For the ECO celebration, scan the QR code on the event slide to RSVP.

23/10/2026

Give your practice a spring refresh! 🌼

Boost your visibility and encourage patient bookings with 15% off patient recall cards and window decals through our partner, VistaPrint.

Simply use code OASPRING at checkout to enjoy the discount until 31 October 2026.

Refresh your practice and make the most of this limited-time offer! 💙

🔗 Shop now: https://vistaprintanzvcsprogram.sjv.io/9V3jBY

20/10/2026

AHPRA Renewal Reminder – Due 30 November
Optometrists must declare that they meet AHPRA and Optometry Board of Australia (OptomBA) regulatory requirements as part of their annual renewal.

Every year, around AHPRA renewal time, optometrists call Optometry Australia (OA) for confidential support with questions about recency of practice (worked hours), professional indemnity insurance (PII), health impairment and CPD requirements.

To meet AHPRA's standards, your Professional Indemnity policy MUST:

- have appropriate retroactive cover for otherwise uncovered matters arising from prior practice; and
- provide cover for all aspects of your practice. E.g. if you work for multiple employers, clinically or non-clinically.

Policies differ in their inclusions, exclusions and limits, so be sure to review the policy documentation.

Optometry Australia's premium PII policy meets (and exceeds) AHPRA registration requirements for PII. Your OA policy also has $0 excess, and also includes up to $2 million in legal fees and up to $50,000 for court appearances. Learn more: Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance - Optometry Australia https://www.optometry.org.au/practice-professional-support/professional-indemnity-insurance-risk-management/

16/10/2026

Today, Optometry Australia CEO Mark Nevin and Head of Policy and Advocacy Shellye Hanson met with executives from the Health Services Union NSW/ACT/QLD (HSU) for a productive discussion about shared workforce challenges and opportunities to work together to strengthen the future of optometry.

A key focus was exploring opportunities to increase the number of optometrists working in hospitals, strengthen their roles within multidisciplinary healthcare teams and create more diverse and rewarding career pathways across the profession.

As the peak professional body for optometry, we're committed to bringing stakeholders together, building on shared priorities and turning opportunities into meaningful progress. By working constructively across the health sector, we can strengthen our profession, create new opportunities for optometrists and deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve.

Thank you to the HSU executives Lauren Hutchins and Prue I. and HSU delegates Matt Trinh and Shereen Kassir for sharing their insights and exploring opportunities to work together on these important workforce issues.

Pictured L-R: Matt Trinh, Shereen Kassir, Shellye Hanson and Mark Nevin.

16/10/2026

Optometry Australia (OA) was proud to join colleagues from across the allied health profession at Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) Member Policy Symposium in Melbourne yesterday. OA CEO Mark Nevin, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Shellye Hanson and Marketing and Communications Manager, Naomi Cox attended this highly informative day featuring insightful speakers, thoughtful discussions and valuable opportunities to connect, all focused on strengthening our collective policy and advocacy impact. Thank you to Allied Health Professions Australia for bringing the sector together to share expertise and advance our shared priorities.

Pictured left: OA CEO Mark Nevin
Pictured right: Marketing & Communications Manager, Naomi Cox

14/10/2026

Championing the value of optometry and exploring new ways optometrists can contribute across the health system were central to OA’s involvement at Parliament House in Canberra over the past two days. Proudly supporting Vision 2020 and the broader eye health and vision care sector, OA CEO Mark Nevin, Head of Policy and Advocacy Shellye Hanson and OA President Theo Charalambous joined eye health stakeholders, parliamentarians and department officials to advance this shared focus.

From discussions on diabetes-related eye care, prevention and digital health to the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health and Vision Care reception, the two days highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and accessible eye care.

Thank you to Vision 2020 for bringing the sector together to advance better eye health outcomes and support greater participation for all Australians.

13/10/2026

Today is Allied Health Professions Day, recognising the contribution allied health professionals make to healthier communities across Australia.

This year’s theme, “Allied health: For everyone, everywhere,” reflects the role allied health professionals play in supporting accessible care across diverse communities and settings.

As part of Australia’s allied health workforce, optometrists play an important role in protecting vision, supporting eye health and connecting patients with the care they need throughout their lives.

Optometry Australia is proud to celebrate our profession alongside the broader allied health community.

12/10/2026

Your OA membership comes with peace of mind.

With premium Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) provided by Avant, OA members benefit from up to $20 million in individual cover, $0 excess and access to expert medico-legal support, including 24/7 emergency assistance.

Plus, eligible members can access Public Liability Insurance at no additional cost.

Want to learn more about your coverage or download your PII policy or certificate of currency?
Explore your member benefits here: https://www.optometry.org.au/member-benefits/relax-weve-got-you-covered/

Coverage is subject to policy terms and eligibility.

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Website

http://www.optometry.org.au/

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