Certificate in Public Health and Leadership in Eye Care
The Certificate in Public Health & Leadership in Eye Care supports optometrists and other health professionals to be leaders in public health with a broadened perspective on health education and promotion, policy, research, and eye care for marginalised populations. A selection of high calibre experts in prominent public health roles will share their knowledge and insights in this broad and vital area of health care.
Introduced in 2024, participants can choose to pursue a module on leadership social impact or undertake an optional clinical placement in a public health setting.
The course provides a detailed understanding of public health fundamentals including:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health systems
- Health promotion and literacy
- Global eye health
- Indigenous eye care
- Eye care for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations
This course is open to a range of professionals – optometrists, orthoptists, educators, project managers and other health care professionals and staff working in a public health or optometry setting. Awarding of CPD and CE points is only available for registered optometrists.
Overseas optometrists should note completion of this course does not offer a pathway to an Australian visa. Please visit Optometry Board for information on practicing in Australia and New Zealand.
ACO Members: Log in to the Membership Portal using your existing credentials or simply click ‘Apply now’ to access your account and register.
Not an ACO Member? Create a free ACO user account via the ‘Apply now’ button to register for this course.
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| Aus (incl GST) | NZ (ex GST) | |
| ACO Member | $2,594 | $2,358 |
| Non Member | $3,308 | $3,007 |
Unlock exclusive Member discounts by registering as an ACO Member for 2026 — now open for registration. Learn more about Membership here.
Q. Who is this course for?
A. This course benefits anyone involved in clinical service delivery, education or policy relating to eye health. This includes optometrists, allied health workers, orthoptists , advocates etc.
This course has welcomed participants in roles of optometrist, orthoptist, not-for-profit founder, eye health coordinator, health educator, among others.
Q. Can I conduct a public health placement with my employer?
A. Yes – you can complete a placement with your current employer. Please discuss this with our Education team before or after applying to the course.
Placements are not mandatory; you can choose to pursue the Leadership module.
Q. Can I complete my public health placement outside of Australia?
A. Yes. Course participants must organise their own public health placements; international placements are permitted.
Please discuss your plans with our Education team before or after applying to the course.
Q. What are the career opportunities following this course?
A. This certificate offers a broad range of public health knowledge and explores leadership skills specific to the context of public health. For those interested in pursuing further tertiary education in public health or policy, this certificate provides unique access to public health with a focus on eye care and can act as a stepping stone to higher level education.
For optometrists or other eye health professionals, this course prepares insights and knowledge to inform on-the-ground public service delivery, as well as strategic guidance. Upon course completion, graduates will be prepared to make a significant impact in meeting public eye health demands, eye health education and policy.
With a focus on leadership qualities, graduates will have an enhanced understanding of the leadership skills required to succeed, not only as an individual, but as an organisation at work to impact eye health outcomes across many settings, positioning them to pursue leadership roles in their chosen field.
The course is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and insights to position them for their career move in public eye health.
Past graduates of this course currently occupy roles in:
- Clinical Governance
- Health Funds Relationship Management
- Governance (Associate Board Members)
- Project management for community engagement initiatives
- Tertiary education (Optometry)
- Eye Health Education
- Project coordination
- Outreach optometry
