Australian optometrists and ophthalmologists will face an increase in their registration fees for 2023/24, with eye doctors facing a $135 hike to cover greater regulatory demands on medical professionals.
The Optometry Board of Australia has set the registration fee for optometrists at $347 (excluding NSW). This represents a 3% increase on last year ($337), but is below the rate of indexation.
This will cover the registration period from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
Up until 2019, Australian optometrists enjoyed a consistent fee of $300, which was first imposed in 2016-17 and frozen for two years. Prior to that, the sector saw consecutive fee drops from a high of $415 in 2012-13.
“Optometrists are not immune to the current economic challenges. The board recognises this and has worked to keep fees as low as possible while ensuring we can perform our vital role to keep the public safe,” OBA presiding member Mr Stuart Aamodt said.
Meanwhile, the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) – which regulates ophthalmologists and other medical specialists – has set its registration fee for 2023/24 at $995, an above indexation increase of 14%. This is $135 more than last year’s fee of $860.
The MBA said this was “necessary to meet growth in costs and regulatory demand”.
The annual renewal fee is effective from 9 August 2023 and for most practitioners covers the registration period of 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.
“Ahpra and the National Boards recognise that many Australians are under financial strain. Registered health practitioners are no exception,” Ahpra CEO Mr Martin Fletcher said.
“We have worked closely together to keep fees as low as possible while ensuring the National Scheme is appropriately funded so we can perform our vital public protection work.”
Registration fees cover:
- Managing applications for registration, including complex applications from internationally qualified practitioners
- Developing professional standards that guide the profession and set expectations
- Investigating and managing concerns about registered health practitioners, including taking immediate action and referring matters to tribunals
- Criminal prosecutions for breaches in advertising and use of title
- Accrediting and approving programs of study that lead to registration and endorsement
- Funding the work of the Health Ombudsman in Queensland and the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman.
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is self-funded with each board responsible for meeting the full costs of regulating their profession.
“The fees for each National Board must also reflect the risk and complexity of the individual professions, as well as the resources needed to address them,” Ahpra stated.
“The National Boards work closely with Ahpra to keep fees as low as possible while continuing to meet regulatory obligations and the expectations of the public and practitioners. The National Boards and Ahpra receive no government funding.”
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