Master of Optometry

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Master of Optometry
Deakin course code	H710
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	No
Duration	1.5 years accelerated full-time program delivered over four consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Develop the knowledge and attributes required to practise as an optometrist within Australia and New Zealand.

This course lets you build upon the knowledge and applied skills acquired throughout the Bachelor of Vision Science (or equivalent). Throughout this course, you will continue to develop an understanding of optometric clinical assessment and procedures; ethical, legal and professional standards of practice; and acquire high levels of inter-personal and inter-professional communication and commercial awareness.

You will develop and refine skills in patient-centred care and evidence-based practice, enabling you to practise as a professional in this field.

These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your skills under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.

As a Deakin optometry student, you have access to cutting-edge facilities within the new, purpose-built Regional Community Health Hub (REACH).

Work-Integrated Learning

Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin’s optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.

Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. There are significant placement and campus requirements.

Professional recognition

Students who successfully complete H710 Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Completion of the Bachelor of Vision Science alone does not meet the registration requirements for professional practice as an optometrist and must be completed in combination with Deakin’s Master of Optometry (or equivalent program).

Students who successfully complete the Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Deakin Optometry has been awarded ‘accreditation with conditions’ by the Optometry Board of Australia, following assessment by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Graduates of the Master of Optometry will therefore be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and to Medicare as service providers, making them able to pursue employment opportunities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Note: This course is currently accredited with conditions as at the date of publishing.

Career opportunities

Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners who are involved in assessing the health and function of the eyes and visual system and the diagnosis and management of a wide range of ocular conditions, Optometrists work in a variety of health care settings, with the great majority working in a private practice environment – which itself can be very diverse. On a given day, an Australian optometrist may perform a primary visual assessment, manage a newly identified eye disease, prescribe a prescription medicine, or prescribe, fit and dispense optical aids. At the same time, many optometrists are business owners and retailers.

Some optometrists use their qualification to engage in other employment opportunities, such as research, other para-medical practice and work within vision-related non-government organisations.

Following successful completion of the Deakin Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, Deakin graduates are well prepared for employment in a diverse range of work settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, health services, state and local governments, non-government organisations, research institutes, tertiary education institutions, private practice, and corporate and community settings. Career and employment opportunities for qualified optometrists include private and public eye care, practice ownership, research and teaching, other ophthalmic practices, and recognised specialties within optometry such as low vision, paediatric vision, and behavioural optometry.

Participation requirements

The course has been developed to provide students with opportunities to practice optometry (under supervision) in a variety of contexts. In keeping the Deakin Optometry’s commitment to improving rural eyecare delivery, students will spend at least 1.2 of their extended residential placement in a regional, rural or remote location to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these communities when attempting to access eye care.

Mandatory student checks

Requirements for Clinical Placements and Registration

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.

In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.

Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.

Several clinical placement agencies require that students are vaccinated/blood tested before undertaking clinical placement and/or graduate employment. Deakin University Medical Centres provides detailed advice, blood testing and administer all necessary vaccinations prior to commencement of clinical placements and/or employment.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Additional costs associated with the course

Students will be expected to purchase some specialist equipment during their course, and there may be some additional costs associated with your clinical placements. Further details will be provided during your enrolment. Students should expect to spend around $5,000 ($1,500 and $4,000) on equipment. Life expectancy of the equipment is around 15 years.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply advanced integrated optometric knowledge to evaluate clinical information, utilising expert skills and judgement to independently perform optometric examinations, establish diagnoses and design appropriate management plans within a robust practice management system.
Communication	Employs a range of communication strategies to interpret theoretical positions, methodologies and conclusions, and explain and justify professional and clinical decisions to other health professionals, peers and colleagues (specialist and non-specialist audiences). Employs a range of communication strategies that take into account individual diversity to effectively communicate information regarding informed consent, diagnoses and management plans to patients, carers and other health-care professionals.
Digital literacy	Choose appropriate technologies to effectively find, use and disseminate clinical and research findings; demonstrate skills in applying new technologies in clinical settings to implement examination plans and manage patient records.
Critical thinking	Apply an advanced body of knowledge in order to solve optometric problems and address research questions and new situations in professional practice in a flexible, analytical and independent manner. Apply business and practice management skills to develop and maintain a safe and efficient/compliant optometric practice
Problem solving	Apply an advanced body of knowledge in order to define and frame clinical optometric problems and apply evidence based strategies to solve such problems. Apply business and practice management skills to identify areas of optometric business in need of improvement and strategies to improved and maintain a safe and efficient/compliant optometric practice.
Self-management	Operate in a professional, reflective and ethical manner, being cognisant of the accountability and responsibilities that come with professional optometric practice, thereby employing a structured and efficient approach to professional practice.
Teamwork	Operate as an independent optometric professional, capable of demonstrating leadership in practice management and collaboration with other health professionals in providing high quality optometric care for patients.
Global citizenship	Model behaviour consistent with professional and ethical standards of the profession, being sensitive to cultural and social diversity and the issues impacting on eye and vision care in regional and rural communities, adopting a global perspective to evidence-based practice and advocacy.

Course rules

To complete the Master of Optometry students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
16 credit points of core units

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Note:

Graduates of H310 Bachelor of Vision Science are eligible to articulate directly into this course.

Course structure

Core units

Year 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HMO701

Advanced Optometric Studies 1

Year 1 - Trimester 2

HMO702

Advanced Optometric Studies 2

Year 1 - Trimester 3

HMO703

Community Optometry 1

Year 2 - Trimester 1

HMO704

Community Optometry 2

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning

Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin's optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a 'student resident' in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Income support

Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.

Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.