Ophthalmologists provide diagnostic, treatment and preventative medical services related to diseases, injuries and deficiencies of the human eye and associated structures.

Skill Level

1

Alternative Titles

• Eye Specialist
• Eye Surgeon

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Ophthalmologist is Medical Board of Australia (MedBA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Three pathways for skills assessment
  • Competent Authority Pathway – for overseas trained non-specialists AND specialists including general practitioners
    • International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must have completed both the assessment and experience components of the medical course
    • IMGs must have secured an offer of employment prior to applying for this pathway
    • IMGs must have either an approved qualification or undergo an assessment of competency conducted by an approved body
    • Must successfully completed 12 months of supervised practice in an approved position
  • Standard Pathway – for IMGs seeking general registration
    • Must have a primary qualification in medicine recognised by the Australian Medical Council and World Directory of Medical Schools
    • Two types of Standard Pathway
      • AMC Examination – assessment of competency and skill by examination
      • Workplace-based Assessment – assessment by examination and workplace-based assessment of clinical skills and knowledge by an AMC credited authority
    • Must successfully completed 12 months of supervised practice in an approved position
  • Specialist Pathway – for Overseas-trained specialists applying for assessment that is comparable to a trained speciality in Australia (specialist registration) OR overseas-trained specialists applying for an area of need specialist level position in Australia (area of need)
    • Must have a primary qualification in medicine recognised by the Australian Medical Council and World Directory of Medical Schools AND must have satisfied all training and examination requirement to practice in their field of speciality
    • Please note if you currently hold or have previously held general registration you are not eligible for the specialist pathway. You can complete specialist registration while holding general registration through a different process.
    • Two types of Specialist Pathway
      • Specialist Recognition
        • IMG applies directly to specialist medical college for the assessment of competency in the area of specialty
        • Outcome of the specialist medical college assessment determines the registration type
        • Required to undertake a period of supervised practice
      • Area of Need
        • IMG applies directly to specialist medical college for the assessment of skills against a position in an area of need
        • Area of need is determined by the health authority of a particular state or territory
        • This pathway does not result in specialist registration

This unit group covers Medical Practitioners not elsewhere classified.
It includes Dermatologists, Emergency Medicine Specialists, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, Pathologists, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists, and Radiation Oncologists. Medical Registrars training in these specialties are included in this unit group.

Skill Level

Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification, two years hospital-based training, and at least five years specialist study and training (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing is required.

Occupations in this Group

• 253911 Dermatologist
• 253912 Emergency Medicine Specialist
• 253913 Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
• 253914 Ophthalmologist
• 253915 Pathologist
• 253917 Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
• 253918 Radiation Oncologist
• 253999 Medical Practitioners nec