HMO105 - The Business of Optometry
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 3: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Nick Hockley |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is only available to students enrolled in D302 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry. Up to 10 places may be offered to students not enrolled in D302. Please note a 75% WAM will need to be achieved in order to be considered - please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | MMM132 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 3 x 1 hour on-campus and online lectures |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit will provide students with an introduction to the skills and knowledge required to establish and operate an optometry business. Students will undertake study of different models of optometry business, business planning and practice set-up, finance and accounting (including key sources of revenue and expense), business law, practice operations and management, human resources and staff management, and the retail and supply chain. Students will also undertake the first stage of their Transition to Clinical Practice training, which prepares them both to engage with the learning activities used in Year 2 of the course, and to choose and then undertake a successful Clinical Residential Placement.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe the relative strengths and weaknesses of various models of optometry business, including traditional and online business. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Explain basic management accounts (income, balance sheet and cash flow statements) in the context of an optometry business. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Perform individual or group research in order to identify and communicate concepts of retail standards, customer service and customer satisfaction in the context of an optometry business. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Apply knowledge of human resource functions such as appointing new staff, staff rostering, staff motivation and performance management, staff training and exit of staff in the context of an optometry business. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Describe the key performance indicators used by optometry business owners. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Demonstrate an understanding of key ethical concepts and/or challenges facing Optometrists in a clinical setting | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO7 | Perform professionally and effectively as part of a team to develop a business plan | GLO7: Teamwork |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Weekly Individual Readiness Assurance Tests (iRATs), prior to Team-Based Activity | 9 sessions with 10 MCQs each | 30% |
|
| Assessment 2: Business Plan | 1500 words | 40% |
|
| Assessment 3: Ethical reflection research paper | 1000 words | 20% |
|
| Assessment 4: Peer review of team | Ranking of peers in study group | 10% |
|
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
Successful completion of Professionalism and Placement (P & P) requirements, as defined in the Optometry P & P guide is a hurdle requirement. Students are responsible for reading and understanding the P & P Guide document, which will be posted separately on the unit's online site. Failure to read the Guide will not be considered as a valid reason for not meeting professionalism and placement expectations.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HMO105 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
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, and 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.