Doctor of Optometry

Students gain hands-on direct patient experience through extended clinical placements with industry partners including Lions Eye Institute and its Lions Outback Vision division, Specsavers, and Luxottica across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas of Western Australia. The Lions Eye Institute has clinics in up to four locations across WA — Nedlands, Murdoch, Midland, and soon Broome. In the third year, students benefit from extended clinical placements offering direct patient experience in metro, regional, and remote areas.

Yes, the Doctor of Optometry (91590) is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration to practice as an optometrist in Australia and New Zealand, provided they also register with the Optometry Board of Australia.

Eligible international students who successfully complete the Doctor of Optometry at UWA may apply for post-study work visas, including the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) under the Post-Study Work stream or the Graduate Work stream. Optometry graduates are well positioned on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL), the 2019/20 Graduate Occupation List (GOL), and the Western Australian Skill Migration Occupation List. Eligibility depends on factors such as course duration, age, English level, and previous work experience.

Up to 64 places will be offered across all quotas, including rural, Indigenous, and general academic merit categories. Places are allocated competitively based on sWAM and interview score (equally weighted). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available for eligible domestic applicants, including those from rural/remote areas (Modified Monash Model categories MM 2–7), Indigenous applicants, and those selected on academic merit.

Optometry students at UWA have access to world-class facilities including the UWA Health Campus, J Robin Warren Library, Barry J Marshall Library, Bayliss Building, Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites, and the Eye Health Clinic of Western Australia. Clinical training facilities emulate a real optometric practice, with appropriate equipment and tutors to guide students through clinical practicals.