How to become an Optometrist

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.

Main tasks

• Performs eye examinations and vision tests to assess visual acuity, detect abnormalities and diagnose refractive errors
• Evaluates and manages ocular diseases and conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration
• Prescribes and fits contact lenses and other optical aids to improve vision
• Provides education to patients on eye health and proper eye care
• Collaborates with other health care professionals to manage systemic diseases with ocular manifestations
• Administers and prescribes therapeutic treatments and medications to treat eye diseases, superficial injuries and conditions
• Performs minor surgical procedures such as removing foreign bodies from the eye

Ways in

• University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 10,000 people work in this job group now, and about 13,400 are projected by 2035. (+32.9%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Optometrist?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees.

Is an Optometrist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 10,000 to about 13,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Optometrist?

Usually. 94% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Optometrist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04