Eye health measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2025: interactive data

The number of employed optometrists, full-time equivalent (FTE) per 100,000 Australian population: Measure 4.1

The size and location of the eye health workforce provides a broad indication of access to eye health services. Full-time equivalent (FTE) is a measure calculated by dividing an estimate of the total hours worked by optometrists in a week by an estimate of the standard hours worked (38 hours per week).

The FTE measure is then compared with the size of relevant population to get the FTE per 100,000 population.

Latest data and time trend

In 2023, 6,275 optometrists were employed in Australia (21 FTE per 100,000). Of these, 14 identified as First Nations people. Between 2016 and 2023, the number and rate of optometrists increased from 4,734 (18.1 FTE per 100,000) to 6,275 (21.0 FTE per 100,000) (Figure 53). 

By remoteness

In 2023, Major cities had the highest number (5,011) and rate (22.8 FTE per 100,000) of employed optometrists, followed by Inner regional areas (898, or 17.7 FTE per 100,000) and Outer regional areas (323, or 14.4 FTE per 100,000). The numbers and rates of optometrists were lowest in Remote and Very remote areas (Figure 54 – remoteness). 

By jurisdiction

In 2023, the number and rate of employed optometrists varied across states and territories. New South Wales had the highest number (1,992) and Victoria and South Australia had the highest rates (both 22.1 FTE per 100,000) of employed optometrists (Figure 54 – jurisdiction).

By Primary Health Network

In 2023, the highest numbers and rates of optometrists were in metropolitan areas. The PHN with the highest number and rate of employed optometrists was Central and Eastern Sydney (578, or 31.0 FTE per 100,000). The number of optometrists was too low to calculate FTE rates in one PHN (Figure 54 – geography).