Postgraduate
Doctor of Optometry
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355)
35 Stirling Highway
Perth WA 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
International
1800 653 050
Frequently asked questions
Events you may be interested in
Show more events
Careers and further study
Take your studies to a new level and discover what career opportunities lie ahead.
Career Pathways
Fees and scholarships
Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.
Course fees
DOMESTIC FEES*
Postgraduate - fee paying students
Annual fee, year 1: $33,150 (48 credit points)
Annual fee, year 2: $49,725 (72 credit points)
Annual fee, year 3: $49,725 (72 credit points)
Total course fee: $132,600
INTERNATIONAL FEES*
Postgraduate - fee paying students
Annual fee, year 1: $38,125 (48 credit points)
Annual fee, year 2: $57,188 (72 credit points)
Annual fee, year 3: $57,188 (72 credit points)
Total course fee: $152,502
*Fees are an estimate based on proposed fees for 2021 for the approved full-time course structure. Fees are indicative and subject to annual review.
UWA Fee calculator
Australian Government Loan Schemes
If you are eligible for FEE-HELP you can borrow up to the combined HELP limit to pay your tuition fees. This includes all FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and Vet Student Loans and any HECS-HELP loans incurred from 1 January 2020. HECS-HELP debts with a census date prior to 1 January 2020 are not included in the HELP loan limit. For 2020, the HELP loan limit is $106,319.
Find out more at Study Assist.
Check your HELP balance on myHELPbalance.
Other student loan schemes
Information on student loans is available on the UWA Student Finance website.
Contact the UWA Student Finance team through askUWA.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Course fees
DOMESTIC FEES*
Postgraduate - fee paying students
Annual fee, year 1: $33,150 (48 credit points)
Annual fee, year 2: $49,725 (72 credit points)
Annual fee, year 3: $49,725 (72 credit points)
Total course fee: $132,600
INTERNATIONAL FEES*
Postgraduate - fee paying students
Annual fee, year 1: $38,125 (48 credit points)
Annual fee, year 2: $57,188 (72 credit points)
Annual fee, year 3: $57,188 (72 credit points)
Total course fee: $152,502
*Fees are an estimate based on proposed fees for 2021 for the approved full-time course structure. Fees are indicative and subject to annual review.
UWA Fee calculator
Australian Government Loan Schemes
If you are eligible for FEE-HELP you can borrow up to the combined HELP limit to pay your tuition fees. This includes all FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP and Vet Student Loans and any HECS-HELP loans incurred from 1 January 2020. HECS-HELP debts with a census date prior to 1 January 2020 are not included in the HELP loan limit. For 2020, the HELP loan limit is $106,319.
Find out more at Study Assist.
Check your HELP balance on myHELPbalance.
Other student loan schemes
Information on student loans is available on the UWA Student Finance website.
Contact the UWA Student Finance team through askUWA.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate degree, find out the admission details below.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the DOpt, an applicant must have:
- a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science at UWA, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR).
- the equivalent of a Faculty Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 - refer to information below regarding the GPA calculation method
- demonstrated adequate knowledge of each of the following: chemistry (at year 12 or tertiary level) and mathematics (year 12 or tertiary level mathematics or statistics)
- a current Australian Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.
Please refer to further details on the admissions page
English competency
How to apply
Ready to apply for this postgraduate course? Follow the steps and you’ll be on your way to joining us at UWA.
Course details
The Doctor of Optometry (DOpt) is an exciting new postgraduate course designed to meet the growing demand for eyecare in Australia. This course prepares you with the professional attributes and skills required for professional practice, so you can deliver safe and responsive person-centred care. Theory and problem-based learning will direct you through the program. The Doctor of Optometry will see you regularly apply your theoretical knowledge in real-world situations, with an emphasis on clinical practice in metro, rural and remote regions of WA, eyecare research and integration into public and private eyecare pathways. Your hands-on and industry supported degree has strong employment and salary prospects.
About the course
Quick details
- Available 2021
- Full-time only
- On-campus
- Off-site professional placement
- January
- Postgraduate
- 91950
- 0101919
Top reasons to study Optometry at UWA
- Optometry is a recognised degree in Australia and New Zealand
- Meets the increasing demand for eye-care services and the undersupply of optometry in Australia
- Extended clinical placements in metro, regional and remote areas with direct patient experience
- Exposure to renowned clinicians and researchers through established partnerships with Lions Eye Institute, Lions Outback Vision, SpecSavers, Luxottica and other industry leaders
- Undertake a research project with leading institutions including the Lions Eye Institute
Doctor of Optometry
Our facilities
As an optometry student you have access to a range of world-class facilities that will enhance your learning while at UWA.
These include:
Health Students' Society
The Health Students' Society (HSS) is a student-run, not-for-profit organisation for undergraduates completing health-related majors at UWA. HSS provides social and education opportunities and encourages students to make the most of their time on campus and of university life. HSS offers a support network for members during their degrees and aims to enhance the university experience and raise the profile of graduates to prospective employees.
Placement opportunities
As part of your study, students will gain hands-on direct patient experience through extended clinical placements with industry partners including Lions Eye Institute and its Lions Outback Vision division, Specsavers and Luxottica across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Western Australia.
Application deadlines
For February 2022 entry applications:
- Open 9 March 2021
- Close 31 August 2021 for domestic students
- Close 31 May 2021 for International students
For more info refer to the Doctor of Optometry admissions page
Optometry post-study work options
As an accredited and approved higher education provider with the Government of Western Australia, eligible International students who successfully complete studies at UWA, have a number of options available for them to stay in Australia to gain valuable work and life experiences.
Optometry is a skill in high demand within Western Australia and throughout Australia, particularly in rural and remote regions. By studying a Doctor of Optometry at UWA, there may be visa options available to allow you to stay in Australia for a short or longer period of time.
Course Accreditation
The University of Western Australia has applied to the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand for the Doctor of Optometry to be recognised as a qualification leading to registration as an optometrist in Australia or New Zealand. The course is currently not accredited.
Lions Eye Institute
The Doctor of Optometry (DOpt) is supported by the Lions Eye Institute and industry, and represents a unique collaboration between the optometry and ophthalmology disciplines that will herald the start of a new era in eye health care in Western Australia.
Why study postgrad?
