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Welcome

Welcome to the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) website.

The functions of OCANZ are two-fold. OCANZ conducts a competency-based examination that all optometrists trained outside of Australia and New Zealand are required to successfully complete before being entitled to seek registration in Australia or New Zealand. OCANZ's other main role is to assess - for the purpose of granting accreditation to - optometry courses and training in Australia and New Zealand.


OCANZ assesses undergraduate optometry courses and postgraduate courses in ocular therapeutics in Australia and New Zealand. Accreditation performs a number of important functions, including: assuring the registration boards that graduates are effectively prepared for entry to the profession and/or for therapeutic practice providing schools with regular feedback on the contemporary needs of the profession. More information about OCANZ's accreditation function.		All optometrists trained outside of Australia and New Zealand are required to successfully complete an examination known as the Competency in Optometry Examination before being eligible to apply for registration with any of the 8 optometrists registration boards in Australia or the Board in New Zealand. To migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant, optometrists must obtain a skills assessment from OCANZ. More information about the Competency in Optometry Examination and Skills Assessments for migration purposes.