The Australian Orthoptic Board (AOB) is the registration body for orthoptists within Australia, for both local and international orthoptists. The AOB is a separate entity to Orthoptics Australia (OA) which ensures professional standards are upheld by establishing regulations and standards for all orthoptists.
Number of orthoptists registetred in Australia
2021/2023 – 875
2019/2021 – 837
While registration with the AOB is not compulsory to practice, orthoptists are required to register with the AOB according to legislation regarding the practice of refraction, prescribing of optical lenses and ultrasonography. This also applies to legislation regarding the administration of drugs and poisons. Orthoptics Australia thereby encourages all orthoptists to register with the AOB and to participate in the Continuing Professional Development program (CPD). Many public and private health institutions employing orthoptists also now require that orthoptic staff members are registered with the AOB, as do Australian private health funds. Applications for registration must be updated every two years.
Registration with the AOB requires registrants to complete 50 points of CPD over the registration biennium. Registrants are required to maintain a record of CPD undertaken which can be audited at any time. Orthoptics Australia offers discounted rates to members for accredited continuing education and Upskill courses. For more information, visit the Australian Orthoptic Board website.
Orthoptics Australia prides itself on providing quality continuing education to members to maintain high standards of proficiency in the orthoptics profession.
OA offers a number of continuing education activities and Upskill courses, which are accredited by the Australian Orthoptic Board (AOB) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program.
To learn more about our continuing education opportunities visit our Calendar of Events.
To access Medicare benefits, you must meet the eligibility requirements as set out in the Health Insurance (Allied Health Services) Determination 2014.
The specific criteria for orthoptists are listed below. You must meet the requirements from the determination as well as specific criteria relevant to you.
Orthoptists
You must:
hold current registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board and have a Certificate of Currency
be a member of Orthoptics Australia.
More information on the Services Australia Website here.