EMPLOYED

5,200

PART-TIME SHARE

50%

FEMALE SHARE

57%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

N/A

MEDIAN AGE

38

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

N/A

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 prescribe lenses, other optical aids, therapy and medication to correct and manage vision problems and eye diseases.

  • Examines patients' eyes and sets tests to determine the nature and extent of vision abnormalities
  • Assesses ocular health and visual function by measuring visual acuity and refractive error, as well as testing the function of visual pathways and fields, eye movements, freedom of vision and intraocular pressure, and performs other tests
  • Detects, diagnoses and manages eye disease
  • Refers patients to, and receives referrals from other health providers, and prescribes medications for the treatment of eye disease
  • Diagnoses eye movement disorders and defects of binocular function
  • Prescribes lenses, contact lenses and low vision aids, and checks suitability
  • Prescribes exercises to co-ordinate eye movement and focusing
  • Manages programmes for eye movement disorders, and instructs patients in the use of corrective techniques and eye exercises
  • Advises on visual health matters such as contact lens care, vision care for the elderly, optics, visual ergonomics, and occupational and industrial eye safety
  • Conducts preventative screening programs
  • Conducts rehabilitation programs for the visually impaired
On this page

    Hours worked

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: those who were classified as "Employed, away from work" at the time of the 2021 Census (accounting for approx. 8% of total employment), have been excluded from the "Average full-time hours worked per week" denominator.
    Hours worked Optometrists All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 50% 64%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 40 hours 44 hours

    Industries

    Optometrists work in industries like:

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    32.4%

    Victoria

    26.3%

    Queensland

    21.5%

    South Australia

    6.8%

    Tasmania

    2.0%

    Northern Territory

    0.7%

    Australian Capital Territory

    1.8%

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age and Gender Optometrists All Occupations
    Median age 38 years 40 years
    Female share of employment 57% 49%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Optometrists
    15–19 5.2 0.1
    20–24 9.1 6.9
    25–34 22.7 35.1
    35–44 22.3 20.8
    45–54 20.4 18.9
    55–59 8.8 6.9
    60–64 6.5 7.4
    65 and Over 4.9 4.0

    Education

    Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is required.

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    • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
    • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study).
    Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
    Note: the sum of the educational attainment categories may not add up to 100% due to the exclusion of non-descriptive categories such as not stated responses.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Optometrists
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 38.7
    Bachelor degree 23.2 55.3
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 2.3
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 0.5
    Year 12 15.9 1.2
    Year 11 4.0 0.0
    Year 10 and below 9.7 0.2

    This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

    Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

    Occupation profiles data - November 2024.xlsx

    occupation_profiles_data_-_november_2024.xlsx946664

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    Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.