NSW Context

Optical Dispensing

The profession of ophthalmic dispensing includes the supply and manufacture of spectacles and the supply of other visual aids.

The work of the Optical Dispenser involves prescription analysis advice on lens type, advice on styling of frames, and taking frame and facial measurements and measurements in relation to lenses. Before any finished spectacles are deemed acceptable for a patient, they must be checked to ensure they correspond to the prescription and final ordered specifications and are suitable for the conditions in which they will be used. Once the patient has received the new spectacles and been instructed on how to get the best results from them, the Optical Dispenser is always available to offer advice and effect adjustments and repairs if necessary. Of prime concern to every qualified Optical Dispenser is the visual comfort of the patient.

With the commencement of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme on 1 July 2010, optical dispensers are no longer required to be registered. Consequently, the Optical Dispensers Licensing Board of New South Wales ceased to operate on 30 June 2010.

Regulation Matters for Optical Dispensers

In NSW, optical dispensers are now covered by the Health Legislation Amendment (Unregistered Health Practitioners) Act 2006. Optical dispensers are required to comply with the Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners. Complaints and notifications about the health, professional performance or conduct of dental technicians may be referred to the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

Under the arrangements for unregistered professions , the HCCC continues to have an integral role in complaints management as the independent investigator and prosecutor of complaints.

Further information on the Health Care Complaints Commission is available at http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/ or by telephoning 1800 043 159.

Information on the New South Wales Regulatory Framework for registered professions can be found on the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) website at http://www.hpca.nsw.gov.au/

Registration or licensing of occupations is administered under the laws of state and territory governments. People wishing to work in more then one state or territory are required to register in each of these states or territories. Under the mutual recognition laws, a person who is registered or licensed to practise an occupation in one state or territory, is eligible to apply for registration/licensure to practise the same occupation in any other state or territory. There is a similar arrangement available for New Zealand.

NOTE: Optical Technology qualifcation in Version 4 of HLT07 Health Training Package has been moved to Technical Support Work section.

Optical Technology

The profession of ophthalmic dispensing includes the supply and manufacture of spectacles and the supply of other visual aids, it is optical technician that manufactures the optical appliance.

Optical technicians may perform the following tasks:

• read and interpret prescriptions from eye specialists
• locate and mark optical centres and axes on lens blanks and make calculations to grind lenses to specifications
• grind and polish the surface of the lens by setting grinding and polishing machines
• test polished lenses for accuracy
• apply protective coatings and non-reflective material to lenses and apply heat and chemical treatment to glass lenses to harden them if required
• shape and fit lenses to spectacle frames
• repair damaged and broken spectacles
• cut and polish contact lenses to prescription requirements.

Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD 2011_005  

Employment Screening Policy :  Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the Employment Screening Policy. This Policy Directive sets out the mandatory requirements and procedures for the undertaking of Employment Screening of preferred applicants seeking employment for paid and unpaid positions, which includes the Working With Children Check, the Aged Care Check and the National Criminal Record Check. Further detail at Policy Directive PD2008_029

Student Clearances for Clinical Placements in NSW Public Health Facilities

NSW Department of Health Employment Screening Policy PD2008_029 requires all students enrolling in courses that involve clinical placements in NSW Public Health Facilities must undertake a National Criminal Record Check and comply with other policy requirements.  For details click here

Changes to OH&S

The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws, including Regulations and Codes of Practice, so that they are similar in each jurisdiction.

The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own work health and safety laws. Although there are many similarities between the laws there are also some differences that can cause confusion. Australian workers should be entitled to the same work health and safety standards, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they operate.

This regulatory inconsistency is being addressed through an intergovernmental agreement(IGA) where, for the first time, governments from each state and territory and the Commonwealth have formally committed to harmonise work health and safety laws by developing and adopting a model Work Health and Safety Act supported by model Regulations and model Codes of Practice. The intention is to deliver the same work health and safety protections to all Australians.  For more information click here