Master of Optometry
Course summary for local students
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Optometry |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Length | 1.5 years accelerated full-time program delivered over four consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1 |
| Full fee paying annual fee - commencing 2025 | $46,600 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place |
| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
| Faculty contacts | Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
|
| Deakin course code | H710 |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Admission criteria
- Academic requirements
- English language proficiency requirements
- Non-academic requirements
- Admissions information
- Pathways
- Credit for prior learning - general
- Workload
- Work experience
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
Course overview
Develop the knowledge and attributes required to practise as an optometrist within Australia and New Zealand.
This course lets you build upon the knowledge and applied skills acquired throughout the Bachelor of Vision Science (or equivalent). Throughout this course, you will continue to develop an understanding of optometric clinical assessment and procedures; ethical, legal and professional standards of practice; and acquire high levels of inter-personal and inter-professional communication and commercial awareness.
You will develop and refine skills in patient-centred care and evidence-based practice, enabling you to practise as a professional in this field.
Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin’s optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings.
These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your skills under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.
As a Deakin optometry student, you have access to cutting-edge facilities within the new, purpose-built Regional Community Health Hub (REACH).
Work-Integrated Learning
Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin’s optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.
Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.
Professional recognition
Students who successfully complete H710 Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Completion of the Bachelor of Vision Science alone does not meet the registration requirements for professional practice as an optometrist and must be completed in combination with Deakin’s Master of Optometry (or equivalent program).
Students who successfully complete the Master of Optometry can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Deakin Optometry has been awarded ‘accreditation with conditions’ by the Optometry Board of Australia, following assessment by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). Graduates of the Master of Optometry will therefore be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and to Medicare as service providers, making them able to pursue employment opportunities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Note: This course is currently accredited with conditions as at the date of publishing.
Fees and charges
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Career opportunities
Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners who are involved in assessing the health and function of the eyes and visual system and the diagnosis and management of a wide range of ocular conditions, Optometrists work in a variety of health care settings, with the great majority working in a private practice environment – which itself can be very diverse. On a given day, an Australian optometrist may perform a primary visual assessment, manage a newly identified eye disease, prescribe a prescription medicine, or prescribe, fit and dispense optical aids. At the same time, many optometrists are business owners and retailers.
Some optometrists use their qualification to engage in other employment opportunities, such as research, other para-medical practice and work within vision-related non-government organisations.
Following successful completion of the Deakin Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, Deakin graduates are well prepared for employment in a diverse range of work settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, health services, state and local governments, non-government organisations, research institutes, tertiary education institutions, private practice, and corporate and community settings. Career and employment opportunities for qualified optometrists include private and public eye care, practice ownership, research and teaching, other ophthalmic practices, and recognised specialties within optometry such as low vision, paediatric vision, and behavioural optometry.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced integrated optometric knowledge to evaluate clinical information, utilising expert skills and judgement to independently perform optometric examinations, establish diagnoses and design appropriate management plans within a robust practice management system. |
| Communication | Employs a range of communication strategies to interpret theoretical positions, methodologies and conclusions, and explain and justify professional and clinical decisions to other health professionals, peers and colleagues (specialist and non-specialist audiences). Employs a range of communication strategies that take into account individual diversity to effectively communicate information regarding informed consent, diagnoses and management plans to patients, carers and other health-care professionals. |
| Digital literacy | Choose appropriate technologies to effectively find, use and disseminate clinical and research findings; demonstrate skills in applying new technologies in clinical settings to implement examination plans and manage patient records. |
| Critical thinking | Apply an advanced body of knowledge in order to solve optometric problems and address research questions and new situations in professional practice in a flexible, analytical and independent manner. Apply business and practice management skills to develop and maintain a safe and efficient/compliant optometric practice |
| Problem solving | Apply an advanced body of knowledge in order to define and frame clinical optometric problems and apply evidence based strategies to solve such problems. Apply business and practice management skills to identify areas of optometric business in need of improvement and strategies to improved and maintain a safe and efficient/compliant optometric practice. |
| Self-management | Operate in a professional, reflective and ethical manner, being cognisant of the accountability and responsibilities that come with professional optometric practice, thereby employing a structured and efficient approach to professional practice. |
| Teamwork | Operate as an independent optometric professional, capable of demonstrating leadership in practice management and collaboration with other health professionals in providing high quality optometric care for patients. |
| Global citizenship | Model behaviour consistent with professional and ethical standards of the profession, being sensitive to cultural and social diversity and the issues impacting on eye and vision care in regional and rural communities, adopting a global perspective to evidence-based practice and advocacy. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Optometry students must attain 16 credit points completed over four consecutive trimesters. All the units in the course are core (these are compulsory) and each unit is worth 4 credit points. Graduates of H310 Bachelor of Vision Science are eligible to articulate directly into this course.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Course structure
Core units
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HMO701 | Advanced Optometric Studies 1 |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HMO702 | Advanced Optometric Studies 2 |
Year 1 - Trimester 3
| HMO703 | Community Optometry 1 |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HMO704 | Community Optometry 2 |
Additional costs associated with the course
Students will be expected to purchase some specialist equipment during their course, and there may be some additional costs associated with your clinical placements. Further details will be provided during your enrolment. Students should expect to spend around $5,000 ($1,500 and $4,000) on equipment. Life expectancy of the equipment is around 15 years.
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a Bachelor of Vision Science degree
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
Inherent requirements
Applications are accepted from students who possess the skills and prerequisites required to complete the course, gain professional certification and practise safely. The inherent requirements of the course are listed in the document, BVisSci and MOptom Inherent Requirements (pdf 103k).
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Credit for prior learning - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Income support
Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.
Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.
Course duration
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. There are significant placement and campus requirements.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning
Clinical placements are an integral part of Deakin's optometry program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements during the Master of Optometry and spend the final six months of the course as a 'student resident' in a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive clinical rotations will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists. Clinical rotations will include time in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings.
Participation requirements
The course has been developed to provide students with opportunities to practice optometry (under supervision) in a variety of contexts. In keeping the Deakin Optometry’s commitment to improving rural eyecare delivery, students will spend at least 1.2 of their extended residential placement in a regional, rural or remote location to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these communities when attempting to access eye care.
Mandatory student checks
Requirements for Clinical Placements and Registration
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
Several clinical placement agencies require that students are vaccinated/blood tested before undertaking clinical placement and/or graduate employment. Deakin University Medical Centres provides detailed advice, blood testing and administer all necessary vaccinations prior to commencement of clinical placements and/or employment.