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Thread: Qualifying for Australia (from the UK) - any others out there?

  1. #1
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    Qualifying for Australia (from the UK) - any others out there?

    Hi All,

    I have been a practicing optometrist for 4 years who has recently moved to Australia. Getting qualified here is not easy as I have to do additional exams - are there any UK to Australia optometrist who are in a similar situation.

    Would love to exchange notes and understand more about the process.

    Regards,
    Ensi

  2. #2
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    Hi Ensi. The same thing happens when at Aussie Optom wants to work in the UK. You would think that the qualification would be recognised, but alas no.

    I'm working with an optom from the UK today. Not too sure how long he has been out here for, but I'll ask him for you.

    PS: What part of Aust are you?

  3. #3
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    Hi Tangojo,

    Thanks for that. I am currently in melbourne.

    It seems the rules have changed just recently, my cousin who studied the same course and graduated a couple of months before me is able to work in Australia/NZ because he registered on some kind of roll.

    I don't mind doing exams, but the lack of information and the inability to connect with others doing the same in order to form a study group has me really concerned and is making it quite difficult

    Hope your friend can help.

    Ensi

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tangojo View Post
    I'm working with an optom from the UK today.
    Can you advise what training or formal credentials North American opticians would be required to produce to work in Austrailia?:cheers:

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by tmorse View Post
    Can you advise what training or formal credentials North American opticians would be required to produce to work in Austrailia?:cheers:
    It depends on a couple of different things - mainly the state you want to work in.

    Some states have actually "deregistered" dispensers, so in essence you don't need any "formal" training. This said, most employees would look at education and work experience, and 9 times out of 10 will ALWAYS pick the person with the formal qualifications.

    Are you thinking of moving to Aust? Working Holiday perhaps?

    Hope that helps.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tangojo View Post
    It depends on a couple of different things - mainly the state you want to work in.

    Some states have actually "deregistered" dispensers, so in essence you don't need any "formal" training. This said, most employees would look at education and work experience, and 9 times out of 10 will ALWAYS pick the person with the formal qualifications.

    Are you thinking of moving to Aust? Working Holiday perhaps?

    Hope that helps.
    Many thanks Tangojo. No, not thinking of a change of workplace. Too busy running my opticianry school here in Vancouver, BC.
    What about contact lenses? Are they also unregulated? :cheers:

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by tmorse View Post
    Many thanks Tangojo. No, not thinking of a change of workplace. Too busy running my opticianry school here in Vancouver, BC.
    What about contact lenses? Are they also unregulated? :cheers:
    Oooo, I love Vancouver. I was there for a 5 days back in February this year. I can't wait to come back and spend more time there. You certainly live in a very beautiful part of the world.

    Contact Lenses are a little bit different, and I have to admit to there being a bit of a "grey" area as far as I'm concerned.

    Only optometrists and ophthalmologists are allowed to prescribe contact lenses here. The "grey" area being with these "over the counter", cosmetic coloured and patterned C/L's that some chemists and "accessory" stores carry. It would seem that anyone can go into one of these store and buy a packet. This practise really concerns me - with the dangers that incorrect fitting, care, insertion, removal, storing etc carries.

  8. #8
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    Wow. And I thought over the counter readers were a pain :(

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tangojo View Post
    Oooo, I love Vancouver. I was there for a 5 days back in February this year. I can't wait to come back and spend more time there. You certainly live in a very beautiful part of the world.

    Contact Lenses are a little bit different, and I have to admit to there being a bit of a "grey" area as far as I'm concerned. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists are allowed to prescribe contact lenses here.
    Here in Canada only certified and registered Contact Lens Fitters may fit contact lenses from a Dr's Rx. Some Canadian provinces have two (2)separate licenses... one (1) for Dispensing eyewear and the other to fit CL's, while other provincial jurisdictions like Ontario have a single Optician license and all Ontario Opticans are trained to fit CL's.

    Next time in Vancouver, BC come visit my school. Drop in any time and I will give you the 50 cent tour.:cheers:

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tangojo View Post
    Only optometrists and ophthalmologists are allowed to prescribe contact lenses here.
    On re-reading your post I am still a little confused... sure OD's and MOD's 'prescribe' CL's here in Canada too.
    But can Aussi Opticians actually dispense CL's ( I mean do a full CL fitting) from a Dr's Rx independantly? Or under the direct supervision of a Dr? or not at all? Can you call to find out?:cheers:

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