Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
at Deakin University, Victoria.
A five-year integrated Deakin Vision Science/Master of Optometry program leading to direct AHPRA optometry registration. Taught at the Waurn Ponds campus with substantial clinical placements across regional Victoria and Indigenous eye-care services.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Deakin University Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official VTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The integrated Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry runs over five years. The first three years (vision science) cover human anatomy and physiology with a focus on the eye, ocular biology, visual neuroscience, optics, ocular pharmacology and the principles of refraction. Years three and four step into clinical optometry: binocular vision, paediatric and geriatric optometry, ocular disease, contact lenses, low-vision care and therapeutic prescribing. Students spend increasing hours in Deakin's on-campus optometry clinic and partner sites. Year five is the final clinical year: full-time external clinical placement in private practice, hospital eye clinics, rural and Indigenous health services and a research project. On graduation you apply for AHPRA registration as an optometrist with therapeutic prescribing endorsement.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Foundations of Vision Science
- Optics 1
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry for Health Sciences
- Introduction to Optometric Practice
How you will be assessed
- Supervised clinical placement assessments across years three to five
- Clinical OSCEs and patient case examinations
- Final exams in optics, ocular pharmacology and ocular disease
- Refraction and contact-lens practical assessments
- Research project in year four or five
- Reflective practice journals from placement
- Case-formulation seminars
Placement and industry experience
Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) accreditation requires extensive supervised clinical placement, building from on-campus clinics in years three and four through to a full-time external clinical year in year five. Deakin runs placements across private optometry chains, independent practices, hospital eye clinics and rural and Indigenous eye-care services. The degree leads directly to AHPRA registration as an optometrist with therapeutic prescribing endorsement.
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 Council of Australia and New Zealand accredited
- AHPRA Optometry Board of Australia registration eligible
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: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/jobs/optometrist. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates work as registered optometrists with therapeutic prescribing. Postgrad options include further specialty practice (low vision, paediatric, behavioural optometry), the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics for non-therapeutic graduates, Master of Public Health and PhD pathways through optometry research centres.
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 ATAR cutoffs on the Deakin University handbook and on VTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/deakin/bachelor-of-vision-science.