Optometrists Association Australia provides a range of services and benefits for members, ranging from political representation to publications and discount programs. Some of the services and benefits available to members are shown here.
Representation
Optometrists Association Australia represents optometry in dealings with government and political parties to maintain the profession's position in the delivery of primary eye care.
The Association negotiates on behalf of optometry with a variety of Commonwealth Government departments, including the Department of Health and Aging and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, to ensure that optometry services are comprehensively provided to the community and that optometrists' fees represent adequate remuneration for the services provided.
Indemnity insurance
All members of the Association are automatically provided with indemnity insurance that covers them for claims of malpractice up to the value of $5 million for any one claim and up to $5 million in aggregate. Members seeking extended cover can obtain it through the Association's provider.
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Publications
The association publishes and supplies its members with a range of regular publications including:
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Bookshop
The Association runs a mail-order bookshop that provides members with clinical and research optometry books at discounted prices.
Standards
Optometrists Association Australia is constantly developing and reviewing standards of practice, which are available to members, educators and legislators. In the interests of high quality practice, the Association has developed a code of ethics, entry level and therapeutic competencies for the profession and practice guidelines.
Optometrists Association Australia is a member of Standards Australia and is represented on several committees responsible for standards relating to optical appliances.
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Board of optometry
Optometrists Association Australia maintains a close relationship with the Optometry Board of Australia.
Education and research
The Association regularly liaises with the schools and plans future training needs.
Optometrists Association Australia is the principal provider of continuing professional education for optometrists in Australia. It holds regular local and overseas conferences and seminars across the country and maintains a list of relevant overseas congresses.
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Advice to members
Optometrists Association Australia provides advice to members on practice management and other professional matters. It aims to ensure optometrists understand and honour the Medicare undertaking.
The Association also provides free telephone human resources, industrial relations and general work place advice to all members.
Advice to the community
Optometrists Association Australia provides advice on optometry, vision and eye care to:
-
members of the public, including those with complaints
-
government departments, private bodies and companies, health agencies
-
the media
-
other professions
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Advantage program
The member Advantage Program provides members of the Association with access to special offers and discounts with a wide range products and services. From banking, insurance, legal and financial advice to credit card products, website software packages and travel club membership, Association members receive generous discounts they otherwise would not be entitled to. The Association partners have been carefully chosen as being among the best in their industry, where possible specialising in the profession of optometry.
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International role
Optometrists Association Australia is a member of the World Council of Optometry and the Asia-Pacific Council of Optometry.
The Association is in regular communication with many overseas optometric associations and participates in exchange visits with some associations.
Optometrists Association Australia is an in-kind supporter of the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), an organisation providing eye care in developing countries.
The Association has arranged and promoted aid trips by optometrists to economically underdeveloped countries with eye care needs.
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Industry liaison
Optometrists Association Australia works co-operatively with other industry bodies such as the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association and the Contact Lens Industry Council.
Planning for the profession
The Association conducts regular studies monitoring the work force to ensure the profession's continued viability. It has developed, implemented and continues to expand and update its Strategic Plan.
Optometrists Association Australia maintains a bank of statistics and a library of information that are used in the association's promotion of optometry. They are available to members to use in the management of their practices.
Back to top
Practice management
The Association produces a quarterly magazine, Practice, that deals directly with practice management concerns.
A subsidiary of the Association, ProVision, gives members independent practice support in a full range of marketing and management issues.
Public relations
Optometrists Association Australia regularly develops public awareness and information programs aimed at raising the profile of and expanding the public's understanding of optometry. Through annual campaigns such as UV Protection, Children's Vision, Good Vision for Life, World Sight Day and many others, the Association targets various stakeholders throughout the year.
Back to top
Relations with other professions groups
Optometrists Association Australia maintains ongoing relations with other professional organisations, particularly those in the health care field. Meetings are regularly held with medical, pharmacy and paramedical organisations.
The Association has materials to assist optometrists in establishing relationships with local general medical practitioners and has close associations with sports medicine and low vision groups.
The Association has developed close working relationships with Diabetes Australia and Vision 2020, two critical groups dealing directly with the prevention of vision conditions among high risk groups.
Wright library
The Association maintains a library of information useful in advancing the progress of optometry at its National Office.
Back to top
Optometrists Association Australia provides a range of services and benefits for members, ranging from political representation to publications and discount programs. Some of the services and benefits available to members are shown here.
Representation
Optometrists Association Australia represents optometry in dealings with government and political parties to maintain the profession's position in the delivery of primary eye care.
The Association negotiates on behalf of optometry with a variety of Commonwealth Government departments, including the Department of Health and Aging and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, to ensure that optometry services are comprehensively provided to the community and that optometrists' fees represent adequate remuneration for the services provided.
Indemnity insurance
All members of the Association are automatically provided with indemnity insurance that covers them for claims of malpractice up to the value of $5 million for any one claim and up to $5 million in aggregate. Members seeking extended cover can obtain it through the Association's provider.
Back to top
Publications
The association publishes and supplies its members with a range of regular publications including:
Back to top
Bookshop
The Association runs a mail-order bookshop that provides members with clinical and research optometry books at discounted prices.
Standards
Optometrists Association Australia is constantly developing and reviewing standards of practice, which are available to members, educators and legislators. In the interests of high quality practice, the Association has developed a code of ethics, entry level and therapeutic competencies for the profession and practice guidelines.
Optometrists Association Australia is a member of Standards Australia and is represented on several committees responsible for standards relating to optical appliances.
Back to top
Board of optometry
Optometrists Association Australia maintains a close relationship with the Optometry Board of Australia.
Education and research
The Association regularly liaises with the schools and plans future training needs.
Optometrists Association Australia is the principal provider of continuing professional education for optometrists in Australia. It holds regular local and overseas conferences and seminars across the country and maintains a list of relevant overseas congresses.
Back to top
Advice to members
Optometrists Association Australia provides advice to members on practice management and other professional matters. It aims to ensure optometrists understand and honour the Medicare undertaking.
The Association also provides free telephone human resources, industrial relations and general work place advice to all members.
Advice to the community
Optometrists Association Australia provides advice on optometry, vision and eye care to:
-
members of the public, including those with complaints
-
government departments, private bodies and companies, health agencies
-
the media
-
other professions
Back to top
Advantage program
The member Advantage Program provides members of the Association with access to special offers and discounts with a wide range products and services. From banking, insurance, legal and financial advice to credit card products, website software packages and travel club membership, Association members receive generous discounts they otherwise would not be entitled to. The Association partners have been carefully chosen as being among the best in their industry, where possible specialising in the profession of optometry.
Back to top
International role
Optometrists Association Australia is a member of the World Council of Optometry and the Asia-Pacific Council of Optometry.
The Association is in regular communication with many overseas optometric associations and participates in exchange visits with some associations.
Optometrists Association Australia is an in-kind supporter of the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), an organisation providing eye care in developing countries.
The Association has arranged and promoted aid trips by optometrists to economically underdeveloped countries with eye care needs.
Back to top
Industry liaison
Optometrists Association Australia works co-operatively with other industry bodies such as the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association and the Contact Lens Industry Council.
Planning for the profession
The Association conducts regular studies monitoring the work force to ensure the profession's continued viability. It has developed, implemented and continues to expand and update its Strategic Plan.
Optometrists Association Australia maintains a bank of statistics and a library of information that are used in the association's promotion of optometry. They are available to members to use in the management of their practices.
Back to top
Practice management
The Association produces a quarterly magazine, Practice, that deals directly with practice management concerns.
A subsidiary of the Association, ProVision, gives members independent practice support in a full range of marketing and management issues.
Public relations
Optometrists Association Australia regularly develops public awareness and information programs aimed at raising the profile of and expanding the public's understanding of optometry. Through annual campaigns such as UV Protection, Children's Vision, Good Vision for Life, World Sight Day and many others, the Association targets various stakeholders throughout the year.
Back to top
Relations with other professions groups
Optometrists Association Australia maintains ongoing relations with other professional organisations, particularly those in the health care field. Meetings are regularly held with medical, pharmacy and paramedical organisations.
The Association has materials to assist optometrists in establishing relationships with local general medical practitioners and has close associations with sports medicine and low vision groups.
The Association has developed close working relationships with Diabetes Australia and Vision 2020, two critical groups dealing directly with the prevention of vision conditions among high risk groups.
Wright library
The Association maintains a library of information useful in advancing the progress of optometry at its National Office.
Back to top