Australia faces skills shortage

Australia will face a severe shortage of optometrists over the next two decades, compounding an expected shortage of ophthalmologists over the next three years.

Research by Deloitte Access Economics predicted that by 2030 there would be a shortfall of nearly one quarter in the number of optometrists required in the country as the population grew and aged.

Insight, the leading optical publication in Australia, said that in 2030 optometrists would number 5,000 despite 6,500 full-time equivalents being required. The Specsavers commissioned report also criticised the Optometrists Association of Australia for lobbying to have optometrists removed from the country's Skilled Occupation List in 2011; the role was reinstated to the list in 2012. The report said the decision was extraordinary, adding that Luxottica and Specsavers, which accounted for 50 per cent of the market, were not even consulted on their future workforce requirements.