As a requirement of national registration, optometrists must complete a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities within each registration period (1 December to 30 November).
This includes:
- A minimum of 5 hours of interactive CPD
- A maximum of 5 hours of non-clinical CPD
- If therapeutically endorsed, an additional 10 hours of therapeutic CPD
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training every three years
Optometrists must also maintain a CPD portfolio that lists their professional learning goals and the CPD activities which contribute/aid in meeting them.
For further information, please refer to the information on the Optometry Board of Australia website. https://www.optometryboard.gov.au/registration-standards/cpd.aspx
Obtaining CPD points:
The Australian College of Optometry is committed to ensuring optometrists have access to high-quality, innovative CPD. ACO education events attract CPD points, determined under the OBA guidelines. In general, ACO CPD is open to optometrists (ACO members and non-members), optometry students, and other health professionals. There are specific requirements for registrants wishing to attend clinical workshops or other events where there is a direct examination of subjects. ACO certificates courses are generally only available to optometrists currently registered in Australia or New Zealand. For more information, please refer to individual courses or events.
