We offer the only optometry training in Queensland. Care for real patients in the QUT Optometry Clinic. Complete training placements in Australia or overseas.
‘I chose vision science because I’m interested in maths and science, and passionate about helping others. I knew QUT would offer me a range of hands-on experiences and practical learning in conducting eye examinations and patient care.'
Lauren James
Gain insight and experience
'QUT was the only university to offer the optometry program in Queensland and also had the best offer pathway, including a foundation and English program for international students before starting the bachelor degree. I have undertaken some work experience in an optometry shop which I found very interesting. It's a good experience while you study to have an idea about your future job and what it can involve.'
Sophie Lanni, Belgium Bachelor of Vision Science student
See things differently
QUT students travel to remote and regional communities to deliver optometry services. Hear how students gain experience while making an impact on the health outcomes of people living in those regions.
See the need
Find out how current QUT students and the QUT Optometry Clinic are making a difference to the lives of refugees living in Australia.
Share your success
Growing up in rural NSW, I was always aware of the lack of services available to communities like mine. What ultimately led me to optometry was spending time with my childhood optometrist and watching what
he did. At QUT, having lecturers that were also practising clinicians was amazing. They were able to provide real-world case studies and examples which was invaluable. I also loved seeing patients at the QUT Health Clinics, doing external placements, as well as volunteer work at schools, screening days, and events. I’m now an optometrist based in rural NSW, travelling around to practise and giving back to small communities.
Lauren Hutchinson
Mentoring the next generation
I am a clinical supervisor at the QUT optometry clinic, while also researching vision problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as part of my PhD. I am passionate about mentoring our future optometrists, guiding them towards a rewarding career, and challenging them to improve the standards of primary eye care in Australia. I enjoy training students on the use and interpretation of the optometry clinic’s advanced diagnostic equipment which allows our patients to receive the highest quality care.
Rebecca Cox
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Why study vision science?
‘I chose vision science because I’m interested in maths and science, and passionate about helping others. I knew QUT would offer me a range of hands-on experiences and practical learning in conducting eye examinations and patient care.'
Lauren James
See things differently
QUT students travel to remote and regional communities to deliver optometry services. Hear how students gain experience while making an impact on the health outcomes of people living in those regions.
See the need
Find out how current QUT students and the QUT Optometry Clinic are making a difference to the lives of refugees living in Australia.
Share your success
Growing up in rural NSW, I was always aware of the lack of services available to communities like mine. What ultimately led me to optometry was spending time with my childhood optometrist and watching what
he did. At QUT, having lecturers that were also practising clinicians was amazing. They were able to provide real-world case studies and examples which was invaluable. I also loved seeing patients at the QUT Health Clinics, doing external placements, as well as volunteer work at schools, screening days, and events. I’m now an optometrist based in rural NSW, travelling around to practise and giving back to small communities.
Lauren Hutchinson
Mentoring the next generation
I am a clinical supervisor at the QUT optometry clinic, while also researching vision problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as part of my PhD. I am passionate about mentoring our future optometrists, guiding them towards a rewarding career, and challenging them to improve the standards of primary eye care in Australia. I enjoy training students on the use and interpretation of the optometry clinic’s advanced diagnostic equipment which allows our patients to receive the highest quality care.
Rebecca Cox
Why study vision science?
‘I chose vision science because I’m interested in maths and science, and passionate about helping others. I knew QUT would offer me a range of hands-on experiences and practical learning in conducting eye examinations and patient care.'
Lauren James
Gain insight and experience
'QUT was the only university to offer the optometry program in Queensland and also had the best offer pathway, including a foundation and English program for international students before starting the bachelor degree. I have undertaken some work experience in an optometry shop which I found very interesting. It's a good experience while you study to have an idea about your future job and what it can involve.'
Sophie Lanni, Belgium Bachelor of Vision Science student
See things differently
QUT students travel to remote and regional communities to deliver optometry services. Hear how students gain experience while making an impact on the health outcomes of people living in those regions.
See the need
Find out how current QUT students and the QUT Optometry Clinic are making a difference to the lives of refugees living in Australia.
Share your success
Growing up in rural NSW, I was always aware of the lack of services available to communities like mine. What ultimately led me to optometry was spending time with my childhood optometrist and watching what
he did. At QUT, having lecturers that were also practising clinicians was amazing. They were able to provide real-world case studies and examples which was invaluable. I also loved seeing patients at the QUT Health Clinics, doing external placements, as well as volunteer work at schools, screening days, and events. I’m now an optometrist based in rural NSW, travelling around to practise and giving back to small communities.
Lauren Hutchinson
Mentoring the next generation
I am a clinical supervisor at the QUT optometry clinic, while also researching vision problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as part of my PhD. I am passionate about mentoring our future optometrists, guiding them towards a rewarding career, and challenging them to improve the standards of primary eye care in Australia. I enjoy training students on the use and interpretation of the optometry clinic’s advanced diagnostic equipment which allows our patients to receive the highest quality care.
Rebecca Cox
Highlights
After completion of Bachelor of Vision Science and then Master of Optometry, graduates are able to practise as an optometrist and register with the Optometry Board of Australia.
Prepare for a career in private practice and specialise in fields like contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational health vision or low vision care.
Practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists at the on-campus QUT Health Clinics.
Choose to travel and complete clinical training in rural and remote Australia, or overseas.
Highlights
After completion of Bachelor of Vision Science and then Master of Optometry, graduates are able to practise as an optometrist and register with the Optometry Board of Australia.
Prepare for a career in private practice and specialise in fields like contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational health vision or low vision care.
Practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists at the on-campus QUT Health Clinics.
Choose to travel and complete clinical training in rural and remote Australia, or overseas.
Why choose this course?
QUT offers the only optometry training in Queensland. The optometry program includes a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science followed by a two-year Master of Optometry.
Our course is embedded with clinical experience that prepares you to treat patients from a variety of social and cultural groups, a wide range of ages, and a diversity of eye conditions. You will work with a range of complex instruments and learn to use clinical judgement to treat patients.
At our on-campus optometry clinic you will practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists. You will treat patients and provide specialist services in ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, children’s vision, dry eye, glaucoma, and other eye diseases and chronic conditions with ocular effects, such as diabetes. This experience is extended with opportunities to participate in off-campus activities that focus on prevention and treatment within the wider community, and clinical placements in optometric practices, ophthalmology practices and other healthcare settings. You may also choose to travel and complete clinical training in rural and remote Australia, or overseas. In recent years our students have travelled to the UK, Mexico, India, Japan, Vanuatu, and Singapore.
You will receive individual attention from experienced lecturers and clinicians. All of our staff conduct vision research and our clinical supervisors are experienced optometrists. Our staff maintain relationships with the profession, and our guest lecturers are optometrists from private practice and other health disciplines such as the medical and pharmacy professions.
Explore this course
What to expect
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.
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.
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.
Possible careers
Optometrist
Details and units
Requirements
ATAR/selection rank threshold
97.20
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2025.
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
Chemistry (Units 3 & 4, C)
English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)
QUT will consider equivalent overseas qualifications for admissions purposes. If you have tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
English language proficiency
We require students to demonstrate they can speak, write, read and comprehend academic English to a specified standard.
Our English proficiency requirements for this course are:
IELTS (Academic): 7.0 or better overall with no subscore below 6.5
PTE: 65 or better overall with no subscore below 58
TOEFL (IBT): 98 or better overall with a writing subscore of 24 or better, and other subscore below 20
Cambridge English Score: 185 or better overall with no subscore below 176
The test must have been completed within 2 years prior to the proposed course start month.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2024
The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.
Excluding adjustments
Including adjustments
Highest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
99.85
Selection rank
99.95
Median ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
98.30
Selection rank
99.25
Lowest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank
90.45
Selection rank
98.10
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
Please select a country
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
English Test
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
Overall
7
Listening
6.5
Reading
6.5
Writing
6.5
Speaking
6.5
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Overall
185
Listening
176
Reading
176
Writing
176
Speaking
176
PTE Academic
Overall
65
Listening
58
Reading
58
Writing
58
Speaking
58
TOEFL iBT
Overall
98
Listening
20
Reading
20
Writing
24
Speaking
20
English Test
Overall
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake
7
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2026 fees
2026: Fee available from October
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2026 fees
2026: Fee available from July
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $9,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
2025 fees
2025: $45,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Additional Costs
There are requirements that you will need to meet as a student in this course. Some of these requirements have associated costs. Information is available from the Additional course requirements and costs website.
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
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