ANZSCO 251412
Orthoptist
General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.
About this occupation
ANZSCO 2022Diagnoses and manages eye movement disorders and associated sensory deficiencies. Registration or licensing may be required.
Unit group 2514
Optometrists and Orthoptists
Optometrists and Orthoptists perform eye examinations and vision tests, prescribe lenses, other optical aids and therapy, and diagnose and manage eye movement disorders and associated sensory problems.
Indicative skill level
In Australia and New Zealand
Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks include
- Examining patients' eyes and setting tests to determine the nature and extent of vision problems and abnormalities
- Assessing ocular health and visual function by measuring visual acuity and refractive error, and testing the function of visual pathways, visual fields, eye movements, freedom of vision and intraocular pressure, and performing other tests using special eye test equipment
- Detecting, diagnosing and managing eye disease, referring patients to, and receiving referrals from other health providers, and prescribing medications for the treatment of eye disease
- Diagnosing eye movement disorders and defects of binocular function
- Prescribing lenses, contact lenses and low vision aids, and checking suitability and comfort
- Prescribing exercises to coordinate movement and focusing of eyes
Show all 10 tasks
- Managing programs for eye movement disorders, and instructing and counselling patients in the use of corrective techniques and eye exercises
- Advising on visual health matters such as contact lens care, vision care for the elderly, optics, visual ergonomics, and occupational and industrial eye safety
- Conducting preventative screening programs
- Conducting rehabilitation programs for the visually impaired
Occupations in this unit group
- 251411 Optometrist
- 251412 OrthoptistThis occupation
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.
ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)
Title in this edition: Orthoptist, skill level 1
- Major group
- 2 Professionals
- Sub-major group
- 25 Health Professionals
- Minor group
- 251 Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals
- Unit group
- 2514 Optometrists and Orthoptists
The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.
Occupation Shortage List (2026)
- National rating
- Shortage
- Confidence
- Clear
- Rated on
- ANZSCO 2022
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.
Possible visa options
Visas that Orthoptist may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).
| Visa | Stay | MLTSSL | STSOL | ROL | CSOL | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Permanent | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | ROL not used for this visa | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3 |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated | — | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4 |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | Temporary (Up to 2 years) | Not on MLTSSL | On STSOL | Not on ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/050, s 6 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream | Temporary (5 years) | Not on MLTSSL | STSOL not used for this visa | On ROL | CSOL not used for this visa | LIN 19/219, s 5(1) |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream | Temporary (Up to 4 years) | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/089, s 6(3) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway | Permanent | MLTSSL not used for this visa | STSOL not used for this visa | ROL not used for this visa | On CSOL | LIN 24/093, s 7(1) |
✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.
Average salary, May 2025
Unit group 2514 Optometrists and orthoptists (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.
| Average weekly earnings | Average age | |
|---|---|---|
| All employees | $1,881.10 | 47.8 (estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution) |
| Males | — | — |
| Females | — | — |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.
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Scan to get the appSource: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation