QUT offers the only optometry training in Queensland. The optometry program includes a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science followed by a two-year Master of Optometry.

Our course is embedded with clinical experience and prepares you to treat patients from a variety of social and cultural groups, ages and conditions. You will work with a range of complex instruments and learn to use clinical judgement to treat patients.

At our on-campus optometry clinic you will practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists. You will treat patients and provide specialist services in ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, children’s vision, dry eye, glaucoma, and other eye diseases and chronic conditions with ocular effects, such as diabetes. This experience is extended with opportunities to participate in off-campus activities that focus on prevention and treatment within the wider community, and clinical placements in optometric practices, ophthalmology practices and other healthcare settings. You may also choose to travel and complete clinical training in rural and remote Australia, or overseas. In recent years our students have travelled to the UK, Mexico, India, Japan, Vanuatu, and Singapore.

You will receive individual attention from experienced lecturers and clinicians. All of our staff conduct vision research and our clinical supervisors are experienced optometrists. Our staff maintain relationships with the profession, and our guest lecturers are optometrists from private practice and other health disciplines such as the medical and pharmacy professions.

Graduates may work in clinical practice in a range of optometric settings, or in teaching and research positions in Australia and internationally. Many graduates enter private practice with a view to future partnership or the establishment of their own practice. An increasing number of graduates are working alongside other health professionals in medical ophthalmology clinics.

Graduates of the dual award program (Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry) are employed in areas that include contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational/public health vision or low vision.

Students may choose not to complete the Master of Optometry, exiting with a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science, to pursue a research career (following completion of an honours year) or find employment in the ophthalmic industry.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry are accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand and you must complete both programs to be eligible for registration as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia.

Student registration

QUT automatically registers students enrolled in this course with the Optometry Board of Australia in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. Details about student registration are available from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Possible careers

• Optometrist