Optometrist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Optometrist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Not Defined

ANZSCO Code: 251411 | Unit Code: 2514

Skill Level: Level 1 | Work Experience: 5 Years

Assessing Bodies: Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): MLTSSL

Specialization: Not Defined

Profile Description: Performs eye examinations and vision tests to determine the presence of visual, ocular and other abnormalities, ocular diseases and systemic diseases with ocular manifestations, and prescribes lenses, other optical aids, therapy and medication to correct and manage vision problems and eye diseases. Registration or licensing is required.

Job Duties:

• examining patients eyes and setting tests to determine the nature and extent of vision problems and abnormalities
• assessing ocular health and visual function by measuring visual acuity and refractive error, and testing the function of visual pathways, visual fields, eye movements, freedom of vision and intraocular pressure, and performing other tests using special eye test equipment
• detecting, diagnosing and managing eye disease, referring patients to, and receiving referrals from other health providers, and prescribing medications for the treatment of eye disease
• diagnosing eye movement disorders and defects of binocular function
• prescribing lenses, contact lenses and low vision aids, and checking suitability and comfort
• prescribing exercises to coordinate movement and focusing of eyes
• managing programs for eye movement disorders, and instructing and counselling patients in the use of corrective techniques and eye exercises
• advising on visual health matters such as contact lens care, vision care for the elderly, optics, visual ergonomics, and occupational and industrial eye safety
• conducting preventative screening programs
• conducting rehabilitation programs for the visually impaired

Skill Level Description: In Australia and New Zealand: Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a Bachelor Degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing is required.

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) - Graduate Work
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - Family sponsored
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored

Registration or Licensing: required

Industries: Optometrists and Orthoptists are nearly all employed in Health Care and Social Assistance

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Optometrists and Orthoptists is Post Graduate/ Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (70.7 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Optometrists and Orthoptists is expected to be low (equal to or less than 5,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 25-34 years (47.5 per cent) and the median age is 36 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Optometrists and Orthoptists is 49.2 per cent and 78.0 per cent of Optometrists and Orthoptists work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 35.4 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $1,532 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation rose very strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose very strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Optometrists and Orthoptists to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly.