Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
at Deakin University, Victoria.
An accelerated 3.5-year combined Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Geelong Waurn Ponds, run over ten consecutive trimesters and accredited by the Optometry Board of Australia. VCE prerequisite is a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL (or 30 in EAL).
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the Deakin Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 90.35 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 94.50 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 94.75 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through VTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Students learn to assess, diagnose and manage eye and vision disorders, with foundations in the visual system, eye health and evidence-based practice, including regional and rural eye health. The first two years lead to the Bachelor of Vision Science and the rest to the Master of Optometry.
Placement and industry experience
Clinical placements run from second year, including at Deakin's Collaborative Eye Care Clinic, and the final six months are a residential placement focused on regional and remote optometry.
Career outcomes
- Graduates are registered optometrists in regional Victoria, Melbourne and rural Australia after AHPRA registration.
- First-year jobs typically include corporate optometry (Specsavers, OPSM), independent practice in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, hospital eye clinics and rural locum work.
- Many alumni progress to therapeutic prescribing endorsement, specialty practice in paediatric or low-vision optometry, or open their own practice.
Professional accreditation
- Optometry Board of Australia (accredited following OCANZ assessment)
Typical first jobs
- Graduate optometrist in private practice (Specsavers, OPSM)
- Graduate optometrist in independent practice
- Hospital optometrist in Victorian public eye clinics
- Rural and regional optometrist on incentive programmes
- Indigenous eye-care optometrist (with VOS)
- Behavioural or paediatric optometrist (with further credentialing)
- Low-vision rehabilitation optometrist
Graduate starting salary
$85,000 - $110,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates can apply for registration as optometrists in Australia and New Zealand through Ahpra and work in private, corporate and hospital practice.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who liked physics and biology in VCE
- Detail-oriented learners who can perform precise clinical measurements
- Patient communicators good at explaining options to a wide age range
- People comfortable with extensive clinical placement and rural rotations
- Self-starters who pursue research or specialty placements
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike physics, optics or detailed clinical examination
- Those wanting a humanities-style essay-based course
- People uncomfortable with extensive face-to-face patient work
- Students unwilling to commit to a five-year integrated programme
Related courses at Deakin
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Deakin University website and on VTAC before applying.