Career opportunities
If you're after a work-life balance in the health field, optometry could be for you. Why? Work is very flexible if you go into private practice (around 75% of graduates do).
However you're also perfectly placed to explore other employment opportunities, such as:
- para-medical practice
- research
- work within vision-related non-government organisations.
Always wondered what an optometrist does?
As such, optometrists share traits with general practitioners, ophthalmologists and pharmacists. At the same time, most optometrists are business owners providing clinical care and dispensing optical appliances.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate (your first degree)
An undergraduate degree is generally completed between two to four years, depending on the pattern of study and any recognition of prior learning you may have. Associate degrees, bachelor and bachelor with honours are all undergraduate degrees.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate (further study)
A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master’s and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.
With an endemic spread of Myopia across the world, I wanted to learn about and practice the skill of a profession that dealt first hand with combating this disease.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master in Optometry
Graduate sooner
Unlike any other optometry course in Australia, you can complete your Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry in just three-and-a-half years of full-time study. Other optometry courses in Australia take seven years.
Regional and Remote Entry Scheme
Aspiring for a career in optometry and living in a regional area?
You might be eligible for special entry pathways that give you a better chance of finding a spot in your dream course.
Indigenous Entry Stream
We also offer an Indigenous Entry Stream for our optometry course, which provides a direct entry pathway for Indigenous Australian applicants.
If you're excited about making a breakthrough and curious about the future of optometry, a higher degree by research could be for you.
Accreditations
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Medicare Service Providers.
Optometry staff
Being an Optometry student at Deakin means that you'll be exposed to a team of industry-leading experts, ensuring you'll graduate with the confidence and experience needed to thrive in the workplace.
Medicine and optometry at Deakin
Deakin's innovative Doctor of Medicine is a unique four-year graduate-entry program. The course aims to improve the health and wellbeing of rural and regional Australians by training doctors to pursue a career in medicine in rural and regional areas either as specialists or general practitioners.
Study Optometry at Deakin
Change the way people see the world. Gain practical experience through placements and graduate work-ready.
Browse other disciplines within medicine
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.
