Optometrists in most States are not currently permitted to use other drugs, although optometrists in Victoria, will be able to use and prescribe a range of therapeutic drugs beginning in late 1998. Specialist areas of optometric practice Australian optometrists also involve themselves in what may be thought of as special areas of interest in optometric practice. Most Australian optometrists are self-employed or partners in private practice. Most of the remaining optometrists work as employees of other optometrists. Unlike some other countries, optometrists in Australia have not yet been utilised to any great extent in hospitals and similar institutions.
Most Australian optometrists make occasional domiciliary visits for bedridden patients.
Optometrists' practices are similar to those of Australian doctors or dentists and are usually located in or near shopping areas. Over time Australian optometrists have come to see their major role of being that of a primary health care provider, in contrast to earlier this century when they promoted themselves primarily as sellers and suppliers of spectacles. Most optometrists' attitudes stem from their desire to be and be seen to be an independently-practising health care professional. In Australia optometrists are educated to degree level at one of the three institutes conducting optometric courses - the University of New South Wales , University of Melbourne and the Queensland University of Technology . Each course is of four years' duration and leads to a Bachelor degree in optometry.