The short answer is yes, Australian optometrists can prescribe certain medicines, but there are important limits on what they can and can’t prescribe.
In Australia, optometrists are more than just “eye test providers”, they are regulated primary eye care clinicians with specific prescribing rights. Australian optometrists are qualified to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for many eye conditions, making them a convenient first point of care for red eyes, infections, dry eye, and glaucoma management.
Yes, optometrists in Australia can prescribe a range of eye-related medicines, provided they have the appropriate therapeutic endorsement and registration with AHPRA.
Most practising optometrists today are therapeutically endorsed, meaning they can prescribe scheduled medicines relevant to eye conditions.
Australian optometrists can prescribe medications used to diagnose and treat eye conditions, including:
Antibiotic eye drops and ointments (for infections like conjunctivitis)
Anti-inflammatory eye drops (including corticosteroids, where appropriate)
Anti-allergy eye drops
Dry eye medications
Glaucoma medications to lower eye pressure
Diagnostic drugs (such as pupil-dilating drops)
These medicines fall under Schedule 2, 3, and some Schedule 4 medications 🔗, as permitted by state and territory regulations.
Think of it like this: if the condition starts, stays, and ends in the eye, an optometrist can usually manage it.
No. Optometrists in Australia cannot prescribe Schedule 8 controlled drugs, such as strong pain medications.
These medications sit outside the scope of optometry practice and require medical practitioners.
Not automatically.
To prescribe medicines, an optometrist must:
Be registered with AHPRA
Have completed therapeutic endorsement training
Practise within the scope allowed by Australian law
The vast majority of optometrists graduating in the last decade are therapeutically endorsed, but it’s always appropriate to ask your optometrist if you’re unsure.
At Kellyville Optical, our optometrist, Jonathan Miu, is therepautically-endorsed.
Optometrists work collaboratively within the healthcare system. You’ll usually be referred to a GP or ophthalmologist if:
The condition is severe or sight-threatening
Surgery is required
Systemic disease (like diabetes or autoimmune conditions) is involved
The medication needed falls outside optometry prescribing rights
A good optometrist knows both what they can treat and when to escalate care.
Yes. Prescriptions written by endorsed optometrists are legally valid in Australia and can be filled at pharmacies, just like those from GPs or specialists, as long as they fall within the optometrist’s prescribing authority.
