Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

Today, OCANZ were pleased to host a workshop to discuss development of a draft curriculum framework for teaching professionalism to future optometrists. The workshop was facilitated by Professor Janeane Dart (Monash University) and was designed to support the continued work of Ms Jane Duffy (Deakin University), Associate Professor Anthea Cochrane (University of Melbourne), Ms Kerryn Hart (Deakin University), and built on earlier work that included the contributions of Associate Professor Kwang Cham (University of Melbourne). The workshop included participants from all optometry programs of study across Australia and New Zealand. #optometry #OCANZ

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 Meet Shannon Peckham - IAHA Member since 2014 Tubba-gah(Traditional lands Dubbo NSW) Living in Ayr, QLD on lands of Bindal people Optometrist (Audiologist in training) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 ‘𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’ 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹? Nothing compares to the energy of being surrounded by mob. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? My culture helps me to strive to provide the best health service possible, a strong work ethic and sense of community is in my blood. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗜𝗔𝗛𝗔? Belonging to a community of like-minded people, bringing strength to their independent sectors while working together on the bigger picture - to raise the standard of health care for our people across the nation. It is truly inspiring to support, collaborate and connect with these remarkable individuals. #AlliedHealthProfessionsDay #AHPsDay2025 #StrongerTogether

Reflecting on Our Cultural Responsiveness Journey at OCANZ. Today, OCANZ Board members and staff came together for the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Refresh Yarn. This meaningful session revisited the work we had undertaken through the IAHA Cultural Responsiveness training (Levels 1–3) and provided a space to reflect on our personal action plans and continue our shared journey in a safe, inclusive environment. Facilitated by IAHA, the online workshop fostered open dialogue and thoughtful reflection, welcoming all participants regardless of where they were in their progress. We brought questions, insights, and a spirit of curiosity as we deepened our commitment to culturally respectful practice. The session also coincided with 2025 Allied Health Professions Day – ‘Stronger Together’, a timely reminder of the power of collaboration, inclusion, and shared purpose across the allied health community. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this important yarn. #OCANZ #IAHA #CulturalResponsiveness #optometry

👁️ Happy World Sight Day! Today, OCANZ joins the global call to action to prioritise eye health and vision equity for all. This year’s theme, #LoveYourEyes, reminds us that eye health is not a luxury—it’s a human right. As the independent accreditation body for optometry programs in Australia and New Zealand, OCANZ is proud to support initiatives that strengthen the quality and accessibility of eye care across our region. We recognise that over a billion people worldwide live with preventable or treatable vision loss, and we stand with our colleagues, educators, and communities to change that. On this World Sight Day, we encourage everyone to: ✅ Book an eye exam ✅ Advocate for inclusive, culturally safe care ✅ Support education and training that prepares future optometrists to meet diverse needs Together, we can build a future where everyone has access to high-quality, culturally respectful eye care—no matter where they live or who they are. #WorldSightDay #LoveYourEyes #OCANZ #OptometryEducation #CulturalSafety IAPB

Following two productive days in Naarm/Melbourne the Health Professions Accreditation Collaborative (HPAC) Forum embraces the opportunity for change and innovation. We bring deep expertise and curiosity to brave conversations shaping a new vision and strategy for the National Scheme. We are 'at the table' and our collective leadership has never been more important. Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Australian Medical Council Australian Dental Council Australian Physiotherapy Council Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia Australian Osteopathic Accreditation Council Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

It was a privilege to be welcomed to beautiful Larrakia Country by Elder Uncle Richard during a Saltwater Welcome Ceremony in Darwin this week, marking the start of the OCANZ and LIOEN co-hosted workshop. Hosted at the Deadly Vision Centre on Wednesday, the workshop brought together representatives from optometry schools across Australia and Aotearoa to explore ways to strengthen cultural safety in optometry education and to set action-focused goals to better support Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori optometry students.   OCANZ would like to sincerely thank Ngarrindjeri woman Sara Carrison and Nicola Anstice Ngā Puhi for leading these important discussions, and Shaun Tatipata for generously hosting the gathering at the Deadly Vision Centre. #optometryeducation #ocanz

Last week, OCANZ held its General Meeting of the Members alongside the Board of Directors, staff, and invited guests. The afternoon featured sector updates from Australia and New Zealand, including workforce insights from Skye Cappuccio (Optometry Australia) and a compelling keynote from Professor Geoff McColl on the future of Australia’s health care workforce.   Thank you to all who contributed to the discussion and continue to shape the future of optometric education and practice. #OCANZ #Optometry 

OCANZ extends its sincere thanks to Dr Tim Fricke (Chair), Professor Lisa Nissen, Associate Professor Maria Markoulli and Ms Maile Tarsau for contributing their valuable expertise in the University of Auckland re-accreditation assessment this week in Aotearoa New Zealand.

OCANZ Examination Process Videos Now Available on the OCANZ website. Are you an overseas-trained optometrist looking to practice in Australia or New Zealand? OCANZ has released new video guides outlining the Competency in Optometry Examination process—both application and exam steps—to support your journey toward registration. Step 1: Apply to sit the Competency in Optometry Examination. Step 2: Prepare for the written and clinical exam. Visit our website to learn more - https://lnkd.in/gTWgU4S5 We're committed to providing clear and accessible information about the OCANZ examination process. #Optometry #OCANZ #OverseasTrainedOptometrists

OCANZ Board of Director nominations are now open - see https://lnkd.in/gSgEtvef