To work as an Orthoptist in Australia you are advised to apply for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board (AOB). There is no legislation requiring orthoptists to be registered to work in Australia but many employers and most public hospitals will ask for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board (AOB) as a condition of employment.

As part of the registration process overseas trained applicants will be required to submit their qualifications, a full description of the course and subjects undertaken (in English) including the number of hours for each subject, so that the AOB can determine equivalence to Australian training standards. As a guide, the Australian Orthoptic Board considers that Australian trained graduates should meet the competencies outlined in Clinical competencies expected of a beginning Orthoptic practitioner.

TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION complete an application for registration. The Regulations of the AOB and the Constitution of the Australian Orthoptists Registration Body Pty Ltd are available to view and download on this site. If you have difficulty accessing the documents, please contact us and they can be emailed or posted to you.

If you hold an orthoptic qualification from a country other than Australia, your application will consist of:
1. the completed and signed international application for AOB registration
2. payment of AU$60 (Note: The 2009-2011 registration fee of AU$165 will be due if the application is successful.)
3. a legally certified copy of your orthoptic qualification certificate
4. a legally certified copy of your academic transcript
5. a brief explanation of each orthoptic subject listed on your academic record
6. the number of teaching hours for each of those subjects
7. a CV detailing your employment with as much information as possible about your areas of expertise and practical experience
8. a legally certified copy of your Registration or Certificate to Practice.

All certificates and documents must be:
1. legally certified as true and accurate copies of the original or by legally sworn Statutory Declaration;
2. accompanied by a certified English translation by an accredited translator if the original is not in English.

Training schools in Australia

There are two orthoptic training schools in Australia, Latrobe University (Melbourne, Victoria) and The University of Sydney (Sydney, NSW). The La Trobe University undergraduate handbook will show the content covered by Australian orthoptic students and therefore the equivalence the Board is trying to determine from your information.

The application and supporting information will be submitted to the Board for assessment. Please note that applicants with qualifications gained outside Australia may be asked to provide further information, to attend for examination in Australia, or to undertake further study.

Useful links:
Orthoptic Association of Australia - professional association for Australian orthoptists
International Orthoptic Association
The University of Sydney
La Trobe University

Downloads

• AOB Registration International application (pdf) | (Word doc)
• Regulations of the AOB
• Constitution of the Australian Orthoptists Registration Body Pty Ltd