Orthoptics Australia offers a number of Grants and Scholarships aimed at fostering and promoting research and assisting OA members to undertake professional development in the field of orthoptics. These grants are offered to members of the association, and aim to foster and promote clinicians to engage in research and professional development. Follow the links below for more information and application forms.
This grant is aimed for researchers conducting pilot studies in order to promote research in areas related to the vision sciences. More than one award may be given if funds are available.
The principal researcher seeking the funds must be a financial member of the Orthoptics Australia, registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board and the study is to be conducted within Australia or New Zealand.
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000 of funding is available each year.
Submissions Due: 30 September 2026
Download: OA Research Grant Guidelines
OA Research Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
The OA NSW Committee has established an annual student grant to assist its members to attend Continuing Education events which provide valuable additional learning opportunities. The applicant must be an OA student member. The student grant covers the cost of continuing education attendance registration. It may be used for the Continuing Education Weekend or the Annual Scientific Meeting. Each applicant may only be awarded the grant once.
Download: OA NSW Branch Student Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
Funding Amount: Up to $200 of funding is available each year.
The Orthoptics Australia NSW Branch has established an annual rural grant to assist its members to attend Continuing Education events. The applicant must be an OA member and be living outside the Sydney CBD/Wollongong/Central Coast/Blue Mountains areas.
The annual grant is intended to cover Continuing Education attendance and travelling expenses up to $500. It may be used for the Continuing Education Weekend or the Annual Scientific Meeting. Each applicant may only be awarded the grant once each three year period (ie the same person is not eligible for the grant in consecutive years).
Download: OA NSW Branch Rural Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
The OA VIC Committee has established an annual student grant to assist its members to attend Continuing Education events which provide valuable additional learning opportunities. The applicant must be an OA student member. The student grant covers the cost of continuing education attendance registration. It may be used for the Continuing Education Weekend or the Annual Scientific Meeting. Each applicant may only be awarded the grant once. Applications close March 20, 2026.
Download: OA VIC Branch Student Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
Funding Amount: Up to $200 of funding is available each year.
The Orthoptics Australia VIC Branch has established an annual rural grant to assist its members to attend Continuing Education events. The applicant must be an OA member and be living outside the Greater Melbourne area.
The annual grant is intended to cover Continuing Education attendance and travelling expenses up to $500. It may be used for the Continuing Education Weekend or the Annual Scientific Meeting. Each applicant may only be awarded the grant once each three year period (ie the same person is not eligible for the grant in consecutive years). Applications close March 20, 2026.
Download: OA VIC Branch Rural Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
The Orthoptics Australia QLD Branch has established an annual rural grant to assist its members to attend Continuing Education events. The applicant must be an OA member and reside outside Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas.
The annual grant is intended to cover Continuing Education attendance and travelling expenses up to $500. Each applicant may only be awarded the grant once each three year period (ie the same person is not eligible for the grant in consecutive years).
Download: OA QLD Branch Travel Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
This travel grant, awarded by Orthoptics Australia, is in memory of Associate Professor Zoran Georgievski. Associate Professor Georgievski was a Victorian orthoptist who dedicated his career to the education of orthoptists and to the progressive development of the profession. He inspired colleagues and students alike to make a difference in the orthoptics profession, and encouraged the active participation in professional development programs.
The grant is intended to support an early career orthoptist to attend and present at the International Orthoptic Congress (IOC), held every four years. The value of the International Travel Grant is AUD $2,000.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have had an Abstract accepted and be presenting at the IOC.
Must also be members of Orthoptics Australia and have been a member (any member category) for at least the last two consecutive years.
Must be up to 8 years post conferral or currently enrolled in a research degree.
The grant recipient is required to provide OA with a presentation and/or written article reflecting on their experience at the IOC and an overview or research they presented (not research findings)
Funding Amount: One grant of $2,000 (AUD) will be awarded to support one OA Member to present at the IOC.
Submissions Due: TBC
Download: OA Zoran Georgievski International Travel Grant Application Form
Submissions: Please email your application to office@orthoptics.org.au.
The Zoran Georgievski Memorial Research Scholarship is offered conjointly by La Trobe University and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. The successful candidate will be required to enrol in a Masters or PhD within the Discipline of Orthoptics at La Trobe University. The Scholarship includes a tax-free stipend and there is potential for the applicants to earn an additional income through assistance in undergraduate teaching. Applications for this grant are currently closed. They will open again in 2023.
The Frank Martin Orthoptics Scholarship has been established to support students commencing in the Master of Orthoptics (C04299) program. Professor Frank Martin is an internationally eminent paediatric ophthalmologist who has long history of encouraging the growth of orthoptics in Australia. He is the Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for UTS: Orthoptics and this scholarship is awarded in recognition of his regard for excellence in the education of orthoptic students.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Scholarship, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
An Australian or New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident visa or permanent humanitarian visa; and
Be commencing the Master of Orthoptics (C04299).
Selection process: Academic merit - highest GPA based on most recently completed tertiary qualification.
Sponsor: University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Contact:
Graduate School of Health
T: 02 9514 1448
E: GSHAdmin@uts.edu.au
The late Dr Con Moshegov's legacy is extraordinary. He was an Honorary Associate in the UTS Discipline of Orthoptics and had a profound passion for mentorship, contributing significantly to teaching and nurturing of orthoptists in the workplace. He mentored UTS Orthoptics students as a clinical placement partner and through lectures in Ocular Pathology subjects, particularly in his area of expertise related to corneal disease and anterior segment conditions, cataract and laser eye surgery.
In recent online lectures, Dr Moshegov stated that he preferred to teach in person to provide students face-to-face interaction, but regardless of the mode of delivery, he allowed us all to experience his zeal for teaching. Those who met him were always taken by his charismatic, genuine, caring nature coupled with a brilliant mind and his skill as an Ophthalmologist. Dr Moshegov was also instrumental in providing web-based experiences in clinical practice for future UTS Orthoptics students, showcasing how an orthoptist is an integral part of the ophthalmic workplace. Dr Moshegov was himself a philanthropist, having established the George Street Eye Centre Scholarship at UTS in Orthoptics, supporting students from remote, rural or interstate Australia.
The Dr Con Moshegov Memorial Award in Orthoptics – UTS Fund contributions will ensure that the incredible impact Dr Moshegov had during his lifetime, continues for many years to come in the way of supporting UTS Orthoptics students commencing from 2022 who reside outside Sydney, rural, remote, interstate or with refugee background to succeed in this rewarding and vital field. Additionally, the Ellex & Quantel Medical by Lumibird Compact Touch Ocular Ultrasound A-Scan and B-Scan Biometer has been donated from the Fund, which will significantly contribute to the teaching and research in the Discipline.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Scholarship, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident visa or permanent humanitarian visa;
Be from a rural, regional or interstate area greater than 100kms from Sydney CBD and be able to show documentary evidence that the Recipient resided in that location for a minimum for 12 months consecutively prior to commencement of the course. Note that the rural, regional or interstate residence must have been the Recipient’s primary residence; and
Be commencing the Master of Orthoptics (C04299).
Selection process: Academic merit - highest GPA based on most recently completed tertiary qualification.
Sponsor: University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Contact:
Graduate School of Health
T: 02 9514 1448
E: GSHAdmin@uts.edu.au
A number of external organisations or institutions offer grants and scholarships to orthoptists or orthoptic students. Below is a list of the related allied health grants /scholarships available. Follow the links below for more information.
The Dora Lush (Biomedical) Postgraduate Research Scholarships
The Dora Lush (Biomedical) Postgraduate Research Scholarships are designed to encourage science or health-related honours graduates of outstanding ability to gain full-time medical research experience in Australia. All candidates must enrol for a higher degree.
The scholarships are awarded initially for one year full-time, however, subject to suitable progress reports being received, may be renewed for one year full-time with the possibility of an additional one and one-half years part-time. Normally, the maximum period of the award will be three years.
Eligibility:
Third year combined MBBS/Ph.D. students; or
Australian citizens who have already completed a science or health-related honours degree, or equivalent, at the time of submission of application; or
Science or health-related honours graduates and unregistered medical/dental graduates from overseas who have permanent resident status and are currently residing in Australia.
Sponsors:
Australia Department of Health and Ageing;
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia; Training Scholarships
Contact:
Centre for Research Management & Policy, NHMRC
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
+1 (800) 500-983
+61 (0) 2-6289-9132
E: research@nhmrc.gov.au
W: www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/scholarships.htm
Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships
The Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Program supports students with the costs of studying at university or at a vocational education and training institution. The scholarships are valued at up to $18,000 each and are available to support students studying for six months full-time or up to 8 years part-time, on campus, or through online and distance education.
Scholarships are for qualifications from Certificate IV; Diploma; Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; Bachelor Degree; Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma; Master Degree or a Doctoral Degree.
Eligibility:
You must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, or a New Zealand citizen living in Australia.
You must have commenced or be commencing your Eligible Course of Study in 2020.
Your permanent home address must be in a regional or remote area as defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
Sponsor: Department of Education
Contact:
QTAC
T: 1800 290 979
W: https://www.qtac.edu.au/rres-program/contact-us
NSW Rural Allied Health Clinical Placement Grants provide financial assistance to both rural and urban allied health students with the travel and accommodation costs of rural clinical placements.
Placement grants of up to $750 (or $1,000 for placements at Broken Hill) are offered each semester. Grants are awarded on the basis of the duration of the placement and the cost of travel associated with accessing the placement.
Eligible Area:
The term “rural” refers to areas covered by rural Local Health Districts:
Far West
Western NSW
Northern NSW
Mid North Coast
Murrumbidgee
Southern NSW
Hunter New England (excluding: Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie LGA)
Illawarra Shoalhaven (excluding: Kiama, Wollongong and Shellharbour LGA)
Nepean Blue Mountains (Lithgow LGA only)
Application Status: Open from 27 January 2020 to 3 April 2020
Sponsor: NSW Health Department
Contact:
Scholarship Coordinator
T: 02 9844 6570
E: HETI-scholarships@health.nsw.gov.au or MOH-AlliedSchol@health.nsw.gov.au
Rural Allied Health Undergraduate Scholarships are offered to students from a rural background undertaking "entry level" studies in allied health leading to a degree that qualifies the student to practice. Up to 50 NSW Rural Allied Health Scholarships, valued up to $10,000, are offered each year.
Eligible Area:
The term “rural” refers to areas covered by rural Local Health Districts:
Far West
Western NSW
Northern NSW
Mid North Coast
Murrumbidgee
Southern NSW
Hunter New England (excluding: Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie LGA)
Illawarra Shoalhaven (excluding: Kiama, Wollongong and Shellharbour LGA)
Nepean Blue Mountains (Lithgow LGA only)
Application Status: Open from 27 January 2020 to 3 April 2020
Sponsor: NSW Health Department
Contact:
Scholarship Coordinator
T: 02 9844 6570
E: HETI-scholarships@health.nsw.gov.au or MOH-AlliedSchol@health.nsw.gov.au