Registration fees for optometrists will increase by 3% on last year for the 2021-2022 year.
The Optometry Board of Australia set the new registration fees to AU$327 limiting the increase to indexation at 3%. The annual renewal fee will apply from 14 September 2021 and for most practitioners covers the registration period of 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2022.
Optometry was one of six of the 16 regulated health professions to have fees increased by 3% for 2021-2022. The Dental Board of Australia increased its profession’s fee by 2.5%. Six boards chose to freeze the annual registration fee.
Two Boards, the Paramedicine Board of Australia and the Psychology Board of Australia reduced their fee on last year by 4.24% and 10% respectively.
National Boards for the 16 regulated health professions and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) announced the annual registration fees for 2021–2022 today (14 September 2021).
Optometry was one of six of the 16 regulated health professions to have fees increased by 3% for 2021-2022
Registration fees fund the work of National Boards, in partnership with Ahpra, to keep the public safe by:
- supporting national registration to ensure only qualified and competent health practitioners can practice in Australia
- developing evidence-based and practice-tested standards, codes and guidelines
- investigating concerns raised about registered health practitioners, and
- accreditation of programs of study that lead to registration and endorsement.
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is designed to be self-funded through fees paid by practitioners and does not receive any ongoing government funding.
Ahpra Chief Executive Officer Martin Fletcher said that health practitioners continue to play a significant role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We thank all health practitioners for their vital role in keeping the community safe and healthy.
“We also recognise the effect that the lockdowns may have had on practitioners’ practice. We have put in place a registration and renewal fee payment plan for any practitioners who are experiencing financial hardship,” he said.
Information about consideration of financial hardship can be found on the Ahpra website.
For general information visit the Ahpra website (link to ) or telephone (AUS) 1300 419 495 or (AUS) 03 9285 3010 (overseas callers).
