Join the ACO
Membership to the Australian College of Optometry
What is the Australian College of Optometry?
Founded in 1939, the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is a learned professional institution that holds a unique place as the only College of optometry in Australia. The Vision of the ACO is to be a world-leading institution in the science, education and practice of optometry.
What Does the ACO Do?
In addition to an extensive continuing professional development (CPD) program and professional support services, the ACO operates clinics that provide optometric care at minimal cost to persons of limited means and also offers specialist clinical services to patients who are referred by optometrists and medical practitioners. The clinic is the principal facility for clinical training in optometry in Australia.
The ACO also maintains the Nathan Library, an archive museum of professional interest and promotes the role of optometry in public health.
The ACO actively promotes research through its research division, the National Vision Institute of Australia (NVRI) of Australia.
Becoming a Member of the ACO
Optometrists, optometry students and members of the community with a special interest in optometry, are invited to apply for membership, using the Membership Application Form. (Note: 1st year graduates, who are registered, are offered complimentary Full Membership for one year and optometry students are eligible for free, Student Membership).
For information on membership benefits, see ACO Member Services - What Do Members Receive?
Membership Categories of the ACO and Associated Fees
|
Category of Membership |
2013 Fee |
Eligibility |
| Full Member | $260 |
Registered optometrist in Australia or NZ |
| Full Member - Fellow | $260 |
Registered optometrist in Australia or NZ and awarded a fellowship |
|
Full Member working less than 10 hours |
$195 | Registered optometrist in Australia or NZ, working less than 10 hours (25% discount) |
|
Full Member – Non Practicing Optometrist |
$130 | Eligible for Full Membership but currently non practicing (ie because retired, taking
parental leave, undertaking full time postgraduate study, not working due to illness) (50% discount) |
|
Full Member – 1st Year Graduate |
Free |
1st year graduate who is a registered optometrist in Australia or NZ |
|
Honorary Member – Life |
Free |
Life membership granted by Council to honour distinguished and honourable service |
|
Honorary Member – Retired |
Free |
Member for 30 years or more and aged 65 or over |
|
Affiliate |
$130 |
Qualified optometrist not registered to practice in Australia or NZ (50% discount) |
| Associate | $35 |
Non-optometrist (eg support staff, members of the community with an interest in optometry) |
| Student* | Free | All students in courses leading to Australian or NZ registration in optometry |
Note: All fees include GST. Where a member resides overseas, GST is not applicable. Pro-rata (half price) membership for new members after June 30.
*Student Members do not hold voting rights
