Coursework

Doctor of Optometry

  • CRICOS code: 072811B
Ready to apply?

Overview

View the Domestic Admissions Guide

Standard Pathway

2025 intake applications open on 1 May 2024 and close on 31 July 2024 (5.00pm AEST)

Domestic Standard Pathway applicants APPLY VIA GEMSAS

Guaranteed Entry Pathway

2025 intake Applications are open and close on 31 July 2024 (11:59PM AEST)

Guaranteed Entry Pathway applicants APPLY DIRECT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

This pathway is only available to current eligible University of Melbourne students including:

  • Chancellor's Scholars 
    Find out more the Chancellor’s Scholarship here

  • Guaranteed Full Fee students Find out more about Guaranteed Full Fee pathway here.

    Guaranteed Full Fee students who also wish to be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) should apply via the Standard Pathway via GEMSAS.

Indigenous Pathway

2025 intake Indigenous Pathway Applications are now open and close on 31 July 2024 (11:59PM AEST)

Guaranteed Entry Pathway applicants APPLY DIRECT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to the Doctor of Optometry at the University of Melbourne under the Indigenous Pathway.

All eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to make contact with the Faculty Indigenous Support Office regarding their application.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

If your personal circumstances have had a sustained adverse effect on your academic achievement at undergraduate level or you are member of a specified group known to be under-represented in higher education, you may be eligible for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). For more information please visit the Graduate Access Melbourne webpage.

You will be invited to complete a GAM application as part of the course application process.

Additional Information

  • Within the course, students will attend placements at clinical sites both within Melbourne, rural Victoria, interstate and overseas. Students are expected to bear the costs involved in these placements.
  • Students are required to conform to prescribed dress and conduct requirements when assigned to all clinical duties with patients.
  • Students will be required to attend and participate in the OD student conference. The student conference will be delivered in a traditional conference format over 2-3 days in the Semester 2 mid-semester break.
  • Doctor of Optometry students will be required to have a current CPR certificate prior to entering clinic in third year.

Additional Costs

Please note that the purchase of some equipment will be necessary for various compulsory subjects within this course. Students will continue to use the equipment during the remainder of the course and after graduation.

All students undertaking a placement in a hospital, clinic or other health or community environment are required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:

  • Undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
  • Holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
  • Being satisfactorily protected against infectious disease transmission.

Please refer to the Student Placements webpage for detailed information regarding compliance requirements.

Please note that the purchase of some equipment will be necessary for various compulsory subjects within this course. Students will continue to use the equipment during the remainder of the course and after graduation.

Frequently asked questions

After completing the Doctor of Optometry, can I practise as a therapeutically endorsed Optometrist in Australia?

You can apply for accreditation from the Optometry Board of Australia. Graduates from the Doctor of Optometry are also eligible for accreditation in many other countries around the world.
Note: the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requires that all Optometry graduates demonstrate English language skills at IELTS 7 or equivalent before being considered for professional registration by the Optometry Board of Australia. You will need to have valid test results from IELTS (Academic) examinations prior to applying for registration.

Can I defer my place in the course?

No. You should apply for the year you would like to begin study. If you decline your offer you are welcome to apply again the following year but as the pool of applicants changes from year to year there is no guarantee you will be offered a place again.

Ready to apply?