Working in the Optical sector in Australia or New Zealand

Open Recruitment offers specialist recruitment services in the optical sector. We have superb opportunities across the entire sector throughout Australia and New Zealand. We currently have a number of positions for:

Some of our vacancies are listed online, however please contact us for further details on these and other opportunities.

Open Recruitment also handles similar positions in the UK and Ireland through our well established UK branch. For information on working in the UK and current vacancies please visit: www.opticalrecruitment.com

Working as an Optometrist in Australia

Optometry in Australia is a respected and rewarding profession. Due to Skills shortages, there are numerous opportunities open to both Australian and externally qualified applicants.

To work as an optometrist in Australia you firstly need to register with the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). OCANZ are the professional body who asses optometry qualifications and accredits the Australian and New Zealand optometry courses and educational providers.

If you are an Australian or New Zealand qualified Optometrist this is not required, providing that you received your qualification from an approved educational institution. Overseas qualified Optometrists will need to apply to OCANZ to have their qualifications assessed and will then need to sit a skills assessment examination. An Occupational English Exam will also be required for nationals of non-English speaking countries.

You will then need to register with the Optometry Registration Board in the State/s or Territory/s in which you live and work. It is illegal to practice Optometry in Australia without these registrations.

Please visit www.ocanz.org and the relevant State registration authority (see LINKS page) for further details on registration, examination process and fees.

Qualified Dispensing Opticians and Contact lens fitters are also required to register with OCANZ and the Optometry board in their state where appropriate.

Please note that non permanent residents/citizens are only entitled to work in Australia if they possess a visa or permit issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. There are many visa and permit types with differing eligibility criteria and time frames. As optometry is on the Skilled Occupations List, overseas optometrists may be able to get a Skilled Migration Visa, providing they fulfil eligibility criteria. Please visit www.immi.gov.au for full information on the various visa/permit types available and how to apply. Alternatively, phone our office and we will assist you where we can.

Working as an Optometrist in New Zealand

The Optical industry in New Zealand is very similar to that in Australia.

To work as an Optometrist, Qualified Dispensing Optician or Contact Lens Optician in New Zealand you will need to register with the OCANZ, as above.

You will then need to register with the New Zealand Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Board. Please visit www.optometristsboard.org.nz for further details.

New Zealand also has immigration laws governing entitlement to work and foreign nationals (excluding Australians) will need to obtain the relevant visa/permit. Please visit www.immigration.govt.nz  for full information on visa/permit types, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

                                                                                    
Professional Associations and Industry Support

There are a number of professional associations that offer Optometry related advice, support, links and tools. As a professional working in optometry you can join these associations to make use of the services they offer.

For the Optometrists Association Australia please visit www.optometrists.asn.au

For the New Zealand Association of Optometrists please visit www.nzao.co.nz/