Optometrist – ANZSCO 251411

Optometrists perform 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.
Skill Level
1
Skills Assessment Requirement

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Optometrist is Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand Limited (OCANZ). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • There are two requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment:
    • Applicants must demonstrate their eligibility to sit the Competence in Optometry Examination; and
    • Applicants must pass all components of the Competence in Optometry Examination (COE)
  • Eligibility
    • Qualification
      • Applicant must demonstrate their successful completion of a course equivalent to 4 years full time study or 3 years full time study followed by one year supervised clinical practice and the passing of a professional examination
        • Note: there is a list of Overseas Optometry Qualifications that allow direct admission into the COE. Please see the Assessment of Optometrists with Overseas Qualifications document located on the OCANZ website
      • If the applicant does not hold this type of qualification, OCANZ will assess the eligibility of the applicant’s qualification by assessing:
        • Educational prerequisites for course entry
        • Length of course
        • Standard of the institution providing course
        • Standard of the qualification
        • Course content – minimum 2000 hours of formal instruction that comprises one third in biomedical, visual and optical sciences
        • The extent of supervised clinical training – minimum 400 hours of clinical experience
        • Whether the qualification entitles registration to practice independently of the country of origin
      • English Language Skills
        • OCANZ does not require an applicant to provide evidence of their English language competency. However, they advise that a comprehensive knowledge of English is essential to practicing optometry in Australia and New Zealand. This level of skill is also required to sit the COE.
  • Competency in Optometry Examination (COE)
    • Four parts
      • Written examination – 2 parts
        • Diagnosis and Management examination – 1 x 3-hour written paper covering biomedical, vision and optical science and clinical science, comprising 132 multiple choice questions
        • Clinical Science examination – 1x 3-hour short answer question examining the applicant’s skill in patient diagnosis and management
      • Clinical examination – 2 parts
        • Skills Station examination – assessing clinical skills
        • Patient examination – four patient examinations in a clinical setting
Potential Visa Pathways for Optometrist
ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium
Term)
251411OptometristOCANZ

Group: 2514 Optometrists and Orthoptists

Description
Perform eye examinations and vision tests, prescribe lenses, other optical aids and therapy, and diagnose and manage eye movement disorders and associated sensory problems.
Tasks
  • 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
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 may be required.

Occupations in this Group
  • 251411 Optometrist
  • 251412 Orthoptist
How to calculate your points (skilled visas)

To apply for a skilled visa, you need to know how many points you can score. The minimum score to be eligible for application is 65 points. However, depending on your occupation, the competitiveness, and the states you are applying to, you might need to score more points to get an invite.

Points will be given to you based on the following:

Click here to calculate your points.

189 visa – Skilled Independent Visa

This 189 visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. It is a points-tested visa. The minimum score to apply is 65 points. However, based on previous invitation rounds, you would need to achieve a higher score to have a better chance of obtaining an invitation.

In short, to be eligible for visa 189, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points. Due to the competitive nature of this visa, a pool mark does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age. There is however no age limit for the 189 NZ stream.

be invited

Must lodge the EOI and be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 190 visa– Skilled Nominated Visa & Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

To apply for visa subclass 190 and visa subclass 491, you need to have a nomination from the state/territory government where you want to live and work. Each State and Territory have individual requirements that must be met in order to receive nomination. (See below)

While the 190 visa is a permanent visa, subclass 491 visa gives you right to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.

Another difference between the 190 and 491 visa is that you can only apply for visa subclass 491 if you are living and working in regional areas in Australia, while it is not a requirement if you are applying for the 190 visa.

In summary, to be eligible for 190 visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

Immigration Points

Must score at least 65 points, or higher points if the state or territory requires.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, or higher if the state or territory requires.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by the state or territory and then apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.


To check if the state/ territory government requirements for your occupation, refer to the following links

State/ Territory
Links to requirements
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Tasmania
Queensland

485 Visa – Graduate Temporary Visa (Graduate Work Stream)

The 485 visa is a work visa available to international students who have completed two years of study in Australia. It is an 18-month visa that has full work rights and full study rights. It also allows you to travel freely to and from Australia throughout the validity of the visa.

To be eligible for visa 485, you need to meet the following criteria:

Age

You must be under 50 years of age.

Education

Must have completed a two-year CRISCOS registered course(s).

Subclass 491 Family Sponsored visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

This 491 Family sponsored visa requires you to have a family member who is living in regional area to sponsor you. This visa offers pathway to permanent residency through visa subclass 191.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age.

be invited

Must lodge an EOI and be invited by DHA to apply for the visa.

Skills assessment

Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme

If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you, you may be eligible for a Subclass 186 visa. This visa is permanent and will allow you to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. To be eligible for this visa, you need to have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and a positive skills assessment. Alternatively, if you are a holder of a Subclass 457 or TSS visa, you can apply for Subclass 186 after working for your employer for at least 3 years under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Experience

At least 3-year fulltime work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.

Skills assessment

Must have a positive skills assessment. Exemptions apply for the 186TRT.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Must meet health and character requirements.

407  Training Visa

The 407 visa a short stay visa for individuals to participate in occupational training or professional development in Australia. This visa is generally valid to stay in Australia for 2 years. Please note this visa is subject to condition 8102 which forbids work apart from the training that is specified in the visa application. You are also required to maintain health insurance whilst in Australia.

To be eligible for visa 407, you need to meet the following criteria:

GTE

You must prove that you genuinely stay in Australia for training and will depart when you complete the training.

English Level

Must have Functional English, i.e. IELTS overall 4.5 with no band less than 4, or equivalent.

Age

Must be over 18 years old.

Be Sponsored

You must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor – Can be an employer or a commonwealth agency

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

You can apply for subclass 494 if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and have a relevant skills assessment. With this visa, there is a requirement that you must work for the employer who is sponsoring you.

This visa provides pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.

Experience

At least 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.

English

Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.

Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Medium Term) visa

The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. This visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. You may apply for as many 482 visas as you want, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you.

English Level

Must have IELTS overall of atleast 5.0 with no band less than 5.0.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Job Outlook

  • Unavailable

    Weekly Earnings

  • 66%

    Work full time hours

  • Very Strong

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 53% female

    Gender share

  • 42 hours

    Average full-time

  • Very High skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathway to Optometrist

To become an Optometrist you need a bachelor degree in vision science or clinical optometry or alternatively, a bachelor degree in medical science followed by a masters degree in vision science. Postgraduate studies may also be useful. It should be noted that registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry

  • Duration: 3.5 years
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $205,758 AUD
  • Completion of Australian secondary education or equivalent
  • English proficiency requirement – IELTS 7.0 with no band less than 7 or equivalent
  • Master of Optometry
  • Bachelor of Biomedicine

Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options and your path to Australian permanent residency or applying for citizenship.