Specsavers OCANZ Support

Optometry | Posted on 3rd September 2019

What is OCANZ?

The Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) is an external agency* that assesses optometry programs outside of Australia and New Zealand. Overseas-qualified optometrists must successfully complete the OCANZ exams to be able to practise and register in Australia and New Zealand.

What support does Specsavers offer?

The OCANZ Support team is focused on supporting each optometrist through this process from the beginning of the exam process through to migration to Australia or New Zealand.

Our support includes:

Feedback and examples from candidates who have passed through the OCANZ exam process with Specsavers
Online training support
Keeping candidates up to date with relevant information on OCANZ, Visa requirements, and any changes to registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority)
Training sessions held in Manchester, UK throughout the year
Training sessions in the lead up to the June and November exams in Melbourne

Once the exams have been completed and OCANZ qualification finalised, we will look to ensure the whole relocation process is managed as smoothly as possible.

We will help you:

Identify the right opportunity and locations
Manage the migration process including Visas, AHPRA registration and Medicare ‘provider number’ applications
Cover your critical costs (pending location) including Visas, Therapeutics and travel to Australia

What training is available?

For any UK-based optometrists preparing for or considering taking the OCANZ practical skills examination, a three-day course is offered at the University of Manchester in the UK.

Contact

For full details of the support package offered by Specsavers to overseas-trained optometrists wanting to move to Australia or New Zealand, contact Maddy Curran on +61 (0)437 840 749 (mobile) or by email on madeleine.curran@specsavers.com

You can also sign up to the Spectrum ‘Overseas Optometrist (OCANZ) News & Support’ newsletter to receive OCANZ support-related news, updates and reminders direct to your inbox.