What is Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand?
The Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) is the officially recognised statutory body responsible for assessing the professional qualifications and competence of overseas-trained optometrists. Established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, OCANZ operates as part of Australia's health practitioner regulation framework.
OCANZ evaluates overseas optometry qualifications against Australian Optometry Board standards, comparing foreign degrees, postgraduate training, and professional experience to ensure they meet or exceed the standard of Australian optometry education and practice. This assessment is a mandatory requirement before overseas-trained optometrists can apply for AHPRA registration with the Optometry Board of Australia.
The organisation assesses candidates from diverse educational backgrounds and recognises qualifications from accredited optometry programs across the globe. The assessment process considers both formal university qualifications and supervised clinical experience, ensuring that overseas practitioners can safely and competently practise optometry in Australia.
Which visas require an OCANZ skills assessment?
A positive OCANZ skills assessment is a prerequisite for applying for several Australian skilled migration visa subclasses. The assessment confirms your qualifications meet Australian standards and enables you to proceed with visa sponsorship pathways.
Your OCANZ assessment result must be positive to qualify for skilled migration visas. For permanent residence pathways (189, 190, 491, 494), the assessment confirms you meet Australian professional standards. For temporary work visas (482) and employer sponsorship (186), OCANZ assessment demonstrates your qualifications are equivalent to Australian standards.
How OCANZ assessment works
The OCANZ assessment process involves reviewing your educational qualifications, professional experience, and clinical competence against Australian optometry standards. The typical assessment takes 12–16 weeks from submission to outcome.
- Submit a completed OCANZ application form with proof of identity and citizenship documentation
- Provide certified copies of your optometry degree(s) and any postgraduate qualifications directly from your educational institution
- Submit official transcripts and detailed course outlines demonstrating the content of your optometry program
- Provide evidence of supervised clinical practice hours and professional experience as a registered optometrist in your home country
- Undergo OCANZ's detailed review of your qualifications, including assessment of equivalence to Australian standards
- Receive written outcome notification detailing whether your assessment is approved, conditional, or not approved
- If approved, obtain your OCANZ assessment letter to include with your AHPRA registration application
Assessment pathways
OCANZ offers a single comprehensive assessment pathway for overseas-trained optometrists. This pathway evaluates your full educational qualification and professional experience against Australian Optometry Board registration standards.
The standard assessment for overseas-trained optometrists with a completed degree and professional experience. OCANZ evaluates your entire qualification, including the scope of your optometry training, clinical hours, and professional registration in your home country. Suitable for optometrists with 2+ years post-qualification experience. Processing time: 12–16 weeks.
If OCANZ identifies gaps between your overseas qualification and Australian standards, a conditional outcome may require additional evidence, further qualifications, or supervised practice. OCANZ will specify what is needed to achieve a full positive assessment.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Completed OCANZ application form (obtainable from their website)
- Certified copy of your passport or national identity document
- Original or certified copy of your optometry degree certificate
- Certified official academic transcripts from your university showing all subjects studied and grades achieved
- Detailed course outlines for each subject in your optometry program demonstrating clinical content covered
- Certificate of professional registration or licence from the optometry regulatory body in your home country
- Detailed curriculum vitae documenting all optometry work experience since graduation, including employer names and dates
- Written references from employers or senior optometrists confirming your clinical experience and competence
- Evidence of continuing professional development or postgraduate training (if applicable)
- Statutory declaration confirming the accuracy of your application details
- Assessment fee payment receipt
All documents must be certified as true copies by an authorised certifier (notary public, lawyer, or similar). Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation provided by a certified translator.
OCANZ assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard Skills Assessment (Optometrist) | AUD 750 |
| Rush Processing (if available) | AUD 900 |
| Additional Assessment/Re-assessment | AUD 650 |
| Assessment Letter (replacement or duplicate) | AUD 50 |
| Document Verification Service | AUD 100 |
Assessment outcomes
OCANZ issues one of three outcomes:
A positive OCANZ assessment confirms your overseas optometry qualification meets or substantially meets Australian standards and that you are eligible for AHPRA registration. Your assessment letter is valid indefinitely for visa sponsorship purposes and must be included when you apply for registration with the Optometry Board of Australia. This outcome enables you to proceed with permanent or temporary skilled migration visa applications.
If OCANZ issues a negative outcome, your overseas qualification is assessed as not meeting Australian optometry standards. You have the right to request a review of this decision within a specified timeframe. If the review confirms the negative outcome, you may pursue additional qualifications through Australian universities or supervised practice programs to meet registration requirements.
If you disagree with a negative assessment, OCANZ provides a formal review process. You may submit additional evidence or request reconsideration within 12 months of the original outcome. Some applicants may be advised to complete additional study or supervised practice in Australia to address identified gaps.
Occupations assessed by OCANZ
OCANZ is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 2211 | Optometrist | MLTSSL |
| 2211-11 | Optometrist | MLTSSL |