Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in any discipline within 10 years of 1 January in the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Optometry.

Or

• Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in any discipline completed 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Optometry.
  
  And
• Have completed a graduate diploma (AQF8) or equivalent in any discipline within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Optometry.

And

• Have completed below prerequisite subject(s):
  • Three subjects at level 2 or level 3 (or equivalent) from one or more relevant biological science disciplines with subjects to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Optometry.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

About selection

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance
• Relevance of previous study

Update to Entry Requirements – GAMSAT no longer required

From 29 July 2025, the GAMSAT, MCAT or OAT is no longer a compulsory requirement for admission to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program. This change supports a more equitable and accessible application process and aligns with selection practices in other Australian optometry programs.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Further information on selection, for all pathways, including those domestic applicants applying for Graduate Access Melbourne, can be found at:

• Doctor of Optometry Handbook entry
• International Admissions Guide

Weighted average mark (WAM)

While there is no minimum WAM for this course, applicants with a WAM of 65+ are encouraged to apply.

The performance of applicants in their previous studies will be assessed using a WAM computed in a manner approved by the Academic Board for the Doctor of Optometry.

When assessing your prior academic performance, your most recent bachelor's degree results (including honours) will be used for the purposes of calculating your WAM regardless of any subsequent graduate studies completed. Your WAM will be measured by considering the last two years of your undergraduate coursework studies (including honours). Weightings will be applied by weighting the second year (penultimate year) by 1 and the final year by 2.

Prerequisite subjects

Learn more about the prerequisite subjects required for the Doctor of Optometry.

Inherent requirements

This course has inherent requirements. Refer to the Doctor of Optometry Handbook for important information on these requirements.

Clinical placements

Clinical Placements are undertaken as part of this course. All students must undertake a Police Record Check, obtain a Working with Children Check and comply with immunisation requirements. Refer to the following pages for important information:

• Clinical Education Risk & Governance
• MDHS Compliance Booklet
• Student Placements.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Successful applicants with relevant prior study or professional practice may be granted up to 200 points of advanced standing towards the Doctor of Optometry as follows:

• 100 points of advanced standing will normally be granted to applicants with an bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent with a major in optometry or vision science.
• 200 points of advanced standing will normally be granted to applicants who are registered as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia and have at least three years of documented clinical practice as a registered optometrist within the last ten years.

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.