Bachelor of Vision Science

Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners and are often the first point of contact for people seeking advice about their eyes and vision. They provide regular, preventative care through the early detection of eye disease and conditions that impact vision. They also provide treatment and advice about eye disease and vision problems and use ocular drugs to assist in the detection and therapeutic management of eye conditions.

Information for overseas trained optometrists

Overseas trained optometrists seeking to gain registration in Australia should contact the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand for details concerning eligibility for registration through the assessment process before considering further study.

Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners and are often the first point of contact for people seeking advice about their eyes and vision. They provide regular, preventative care through the early detection of eye disease and conditions that impact vision. They also provide treatment and advice about eye disease and vision problems and use ocular drugs to assist in the detection and therapeutic management of eye conditions. 

Course requirements

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. You will need to identify these requirements and ensure you allow sufficient time to meet them. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Blue card: You must undergo a criminal history check for working with children and be issued with a suitability card (blue card) before commencing clinical placement/practicum in an organisation where you may work with children or young people.

The processing of your application may take several months so you must submit your blue card application to HiQ as early as possible to ensure you have your card before you begin any unit that requires contact with children. There is no charge for student blue cards. Students who already have a blue card must register it with QUT.

Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.

Course requirements

There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. You will need to identify these requirements and ensure you allow sufficient time to meet them. Some of these requirements have associated costs.

Blue card: You must undergo a criminal history check for working with children and be issued with a suitability card (blue card) before commencing clinical placement/practicum in an organisation where you may work with children or young people.

The processing of your application may take several months so you must submit your blue card application to HiQ as early as possible to ensure you have your card before you begin any unit that requires contact with children. There is no charge for student blue cards. Students who already have a blue card must register it with QUT.

Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.

Careers and outcomes

Graduates may work in clinical practice in a range of optometric settings, or in teaching and research positions in Australia and internationally. Many graduates enter private practice with a view to future partnership or the establishment of their own practice. An increasing number of graduates are working alongside other health professionals in medical ophthalmology clinics.

Graduates of the dual award program (Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry) are employed in areas that include contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational/public health vision or low vision.

Students may choose not to complete the Master of Optometry, exiting with a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science, to pursue a research career (following completion of an honours year) or find employment in the optical industry.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry are accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. On completion of both programs you are eligible for registration as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia.

Student registration

QUT automatically registers students enrolled in this course with the Optometry Board of Australia in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. Details about student registration are available from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.