Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science)/Master of Optometry
at Flinders University, South Australia.
A five-year integrated Flinders Vision Science/Master of Optometry program leading to direct AHPRA optometry registration. Strong emphasis on rural, remote and Aboriginal eye-health practice with placements in regional SA, the NT and the Far North.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Flinders University Bachelor of Medical Science (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 | SATAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official SATAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The early years build the biomedical and vision-science foundation. You study human anatomy and physiology, the structure and function of the eye and visual system, optics and the physics of light, general and ocular biochemistry, and an introduction to clinical methods. Laboratory and practical work in optics and ophthalmic instrumentation runs throughout. The middle years move into ocular disease and clinical optometry. Topics cover ocular pathology, pharmacology and therapeutics, binocular vision, contact lenses, paediatric and low-vision optometry, and the use of diagnostic imaging and instruments. You begin supervised clinical work in the Flinders optometry clinic, examining patients under close supervision. The final masters years are placement-intensive. You complete extended clinical placements across corporate and independent practice, hospital eye clinics, and rural, remote and Aboriginal eye-health services in regional South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Far North. This rural and remote emphasis is a distinctive Flinders strength, and the integrated program leads directly to AHPRA optometry registration without a separate graduate-entry step.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Visual Optics and the Physics of Light
- Structure and Function of the Eye
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Foundations of Clinical Methods
- Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety
How you will be assessed
- Clinical-placement competency assessment and patient logs
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
- Optics and instrumentation practical assessments
- Theory examinations in ocular disease and pharmacology
- Case-based written assignments and reflective reports
- Research project and presentation in the masters years
Career outcomes
- Graduates are registered optometrists in South Australia, the Northern Territory and across regional Australia after AHPRA registration.
- First-year jobs typically include corporate optometry (Specsavers, OPSM), independent practice in Adelaide, rural locum work in regional SA and the NT, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
- Many alumni progress to therapeutic prescribing endorsement, paediatric or low-vision specialty practice, or work in remote Aboriginal eye-health programs.
Professional accreditation
- Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand accredited
- AHPRA Optometry Board of Australia registration eligible
Typical first jobs
- Registered optometrist in corporate practice (Specsavers, OPSM)
- Optometrist in independent practice in Adelaide
- Rural or remote locum optometrist in regional SA and the NT
- Optometrist in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
- Hospital eye-clinic optometrist
- Therapeutically endorsed optometrist managing ocular disease
Graduate starting salary
$62,000 - $72,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
The integrated five-year program leads directly to registration as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia through AHPRA, including therapeutic prescribing endorsement. Graduates enter corporate or independent practice, hospital eye departments, or rural and Aboriginal eye-health services. Further pathways include specialty areas such as paediatric, low-vision or behavioural optometry, ocular-therapeutics roles, research through a PhD, or movement into clinical education and the optical industry.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy precise, hands-on clinical and technical work
- Those comfortable combining biomedical science with optics and physics
- People drawn to direct patient care and diagnosis
- Students open to rural, remote and Aboriginal eye-health placements
- Methodical learners who commit to a long integrated program
It is probably not for you if
- Those wanting a short or flexible degree
- Students uncomfortable with physics, optics or close clinical contact
- People unwilling to travel for extended rural placements
- Those seeking a research-only or non-clinical career
Related courses at Flinders
Sources
- https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/courses/bachelor-medical-science-vision-science-master-optometry
- https://www.satac.edu.au/
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Flinders University handbook and on SATAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/flinders/bachelor-of-vision-science.