What Is Orthoptics Australia (OA)?

Updated

Orthoptics Australia (OA) is the national peak body representing Australian orthoptists. It is a membership organisation that promotes and advances the discipline of orthoptics in public hospitals and ophthalmology practices, and it works to seek and implement career and work benefits and opportunities for its members. If you are an orthoptist, a student considering the field, or an eye health organisation looking for a professional body to engage with, OA is the relevant national organisation in Australia.

Who OA represents

OA describes itself as a national organisation representing members in all states of Australia, as well as members from other countries, including:

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Hong Kong

So while its focus is Australian orthoptics, its membership is not limited to Australia.

What OA does

According to the organisation's own description, its core purposes are to:

  • Promote and advance the discipline of orthoptics in public hospitals and ophthalmology practices
  • Actively seek and implement career and work benefits and opportunities for its members

Its stated mission is "striving for excellence in eye and health care."

What OA offers members and the profession

The site's navigation shows the scope of the organisation's activity. Key areas include:

Area What it covers
Membership Benefits, categories and criteria, how to join, code of conduct
Professional registration Registration information for orthoptists
Events and professional development CPD events, event calendar, online education (OAOE), member webinars
Workplace resources Government funding, legislation and programs, directory of orthoptists, professional indemnity insurance
Research OA Research Grant, Eye Health Research, Australian Orthoptic Journal (AOJ)
Advocacy and media Advocacy news, position statements, Orthoptics Awareness Week, World Orthoptic Day
Awards and grants OA Awards, OA Grants, Fellow Members
Eye health partners Cataract Kids Australia, SeeWay (Guide Dogs NSW/ACT), Guide Dogs Victoria, CERA, Macular Disease Foundation Australia, Glaucoma Australia, UsherKids Australia

There is also an OA Online Shop and a member portal for managing your profile and CPD tracking.

Who should look at OA

  • Practising orthoptists in Australia — for registration, CPD, workplace resources and professional representation.
  • Orthoptists outside Australia — membership extends to several other countries, so it may still be relevant.
  • Students and career changers — the site has a "Career in Orthoptics" section and a "What is Orthoptics?" explainer.
  • Employers and eye health organisations — OA offers job advertising and sponsorship/advertising options.

Events and contact

OA runs professional development events, including its "Clinical Conversations" series. One listed example is Clinical Conversations #6: Strabismus Surgery 101, dated 21 October 2026, described as an interactive talk with live questions.

For direct enquiries, OA lists its contact details as 03 9586 6080 or [email protected]. Membership and event registration are handled through the site, and the presence of Stripe indicates online payment is used for some transactions.