Examination
Frequently Asked Questions
General
My optometry training was not at a university in Australia or New Zealand. Can I work as an optometrist in Australia or New Zealand without further training?
If you trained overseas, you must pass the OCANZ Competency in Optometry Examination or complete an accredited optometry course in Australia or New Zealand in order to seek registration with either the Australian or New Zealand registration board.
Am I required to provide evidence of English language competency when applying to OCANZ?
No, OCANZ does not require a candidate to provide any evidence of English Language competency in order to sit the COE, but advises that the registration requirements in Australia and New Zealand are indicative of the standard of English Language competency necessary to attempt the COE. For more information, please refer to the Overseas Optometrists page.
Once I have received approval from OCANZ to sit the examination, how long do I have before I need to sit the examinations?
There is no time limit.
If I apply to sit the written or clinical examination, can I postpone it to another time of the year?
Please refer to the examination fees refund policy on website.
If I fail one of the examinations, do I need to resubmit my Form 2 or Form 3 to resit the examination?
No, you only need to submit Form 2 or 3 (application form) once.
How many people pass the OCANZ examinations?
OCANZ publish examination results every year in its annual report.
The information in the report includes, but is not limited to:
- The number of applicants who applied for assessment
- The outcomes of assessment applications
- The number of applicants who undertook the COE and ACOT examinations including country of qualification.
I am an overseas trained optometrist and I want to migrate to Australia. Can you provide me with information on how I can arrange the migration?
OCANZ does not provide any information about immigration.
What bridging courses are available for people wishing to sit the examination?
There are currently no bridging courses provided by OCANZ. Applicants may make private arrangements for tuition to assist them to prepare for the Competency in Optometry Examination.
Eligibility
I have a degree in optical dispensing or as an optometry assistant. Can I still sit the examination and register as an optometrist in Australia and NZ?
Unfortunately, OCANZ does not assess the qualifications of overseas-trained dispensing opticians.
I have a degree in optical dispensing or as an optometry assistant, but I would like to do a course to become an optometrist.
You need to contact one of the Optometry Schools in Australia and New Zealand directly.
I am a doctor from overseas and have a degree in Ophthalmology. Can I sit the examination and register as an optometrist in Australia and NZ?
OCANZ assesses only overseas trained optometrists for recognition of their qualifications in Australia and New Zealand. The Council does not assess medical training as this is responsibility of the Australian Medical Council. The Australian Medical Council can be contacted via their website.
Written Exam
How soon after sitting the written examinations do I find out the results?
You will be notified by email within 6-8 weeks.
If I fail the written examination, how many times can I re-sit it?
You can re-sit the written examination as many times as you wish.
If I pass one of the two written examination papers, do I only need to re-sit the paper I failed?
If it is your first attempt and you pass one of the two papers, you have one (1) further opportunity to repeat only the failed paper at a later sitting. If at this second sitting you fail that paper again, you will need to re-sit both papers at your next attempt and at ALL subsequent attempts.
Clinical Exam
How soon after sitting the clinical examinations do I find out the results?
You will be notified by email within 5 weeks.
If I fail the clinical examination, how many times can I re-sit it?
The only requirement is that you must pass the clinical examination within three years of passing the written examination.
Are the practical sessions always at the same venue?
The clinical examinations are always held in Melbourne, Australia.
Cultural Safety Training
Why is it important that I undertake Cultural Safety Training to be an optometrist in Australia or New Zealand?
Understanding cultural safety as a foundation for learning about Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori health, and equitable and quality eye health care for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori is essential to support optometrists to play their role in achieving culturally safe practice.
Who needs to complete the online cultural safety program?
From 1 January 2023, all candidates undertaking the Competency in Optometry Examination are required to complete the online Cultural Safety Training program prior to progressing to the clinical examination component.