At Remitly, we’re here to help you make confident career decisions. If you’ve been exploring optometry as a profession or are already working in the field, you’ll find plenty of opportunities in Australia. Optometry is a stable, growing, and well-paid healthcare career, making it an appealing choice for both locals and newcomers.
In this guide, we break down the average optometrist salary in Australia, what influences your pay, how earnings vary between states, and what salaries might look like in 2026. Whether you’re a current optometrist considering a career move, a student planning your future, or a migrant starting fresh, this overview will help you understand your earning potential.
What is the average optometrist salary in Australia?
If you’re planning to work as an optometrist in Australia, you can expect to earn an average annual salary of 110,000-120,000 AUD. This range is based on recent salary data reported by employers in the last three months on SEEK, one of Australia’s leading job platforms.
Your actual earnings will vary based on your experience level. Entry-level positions earn less than senior optometrist roles. For example, new graduates can expect to earn around 110,000 AUD, while experienced optometrists with over eight years of experience can expect to earn 200,000 AUD or higher, especially in high-demand areas or busy practices.
Aside from experience, your salary is also shaped by your work setting and location. Whether you choose a large corporate chain, a regional practice, or a specialist role can all influence your take-home pay. In the next sections, we’ll break down these factors in detail so you can better understand your earning potential.
Key factors that influence your salary
Optometrist salaries in Australia aren’t fixed. Your earnings can vary widely depending on where you work, your experiences, and the type of practice you choose. Understanding these factors can help you maximise your income and plan your career trajectory.
Location
Whether you’ve immigrated to Australia or have lived there your whole life, there’s a lot to discover. Australia is a vast country with major cities, regional hubs, and remote communities. Rural and regional positions sometimes offer higher pay, sign-on bonuses, or relocation incentives to attract talent to underserved areas.
However, the cost of living also varies. While regional salaries may be higher, lifestyle expenses may be lower, helping you stretch your take-home pay further. Later in this guide, we’ll compare salaries across states and major cities so you can see where the best opportunities are.
Experience level
As with all career paths, your experience plays a major role in determining what you’ll earn. While optometrist salaries in Australia don’t jump as dramatically in some medical fields, they do climb steadily. According to TerraTern, a graduate or entry-level optometrist can expect to earn 75,000-85,000 AUD. Mid-level optometrists can expect to earn 95,000-128,000 AUD, while senior optometrists will potentially earn 130,000-309,000 AUD or more.
Type of practice
Where you work has a big impact on your income. There are three main settings for optometry practice in Australia: corporate, independent, and public. Corporate chains like Specsavers and OPSM hire optometrists to work in their different branches. Independent practices are run by optometrists themselves, and the public health sector includes hospitals and community health centres. Here’s what you can expect in each:
- Public health sector
In public settings, optometrists typically stand to earn the least. However, in this setting, optometrists can focus on their medical practice as there is no retail focus. Practitioners in public health also benefit from high job security.
- Corporate chains
Brands like Specsavers, OPSM, and Laubman & Pank often pay slightly higher salaries than in public settings, with incentives linked to store performance. These roles mix clinical care with a retail environment.
- Independent practices
Optometrists have the highest earning potential in private settings, particularly in rural or regional areas. Senior optometrists who build strong client bases can earn well above the national average, and practice owners can exceed 200,000-300,000 AUD.
Specialisation
Additional qualifications can also boost your salary. Specialisations such as behavioural optometry, contact lens practice, pediatric optometry, and ocular therapeutics or advanced training can help you attract more patients, deliver specialised services, and negotiate higher pay.
Optometrist salaries by state and territory
Where you work in Australia can make a big difference to your earning potential as an optometrist. Salaries vary not only between states and territories, but also between metropolitan and regional/rural areas.
While larger cities often offer higher base salaries due to a higher cost of living, many rural and regional communities offer even higher pay, bonuses, or relocation incentives because demand for optometrists is so strong.
According to recent SEEK data, Queensland currently offers the highest average optometrist salary, at around 130,000 AUD. Victoria shows the lowest average salary, at around 102,500 AUD, though individual clinics, especially in regional Victoria, may offer more.
Average optometrist salary by city and region
For a more detailed look at average optometrist salaries, check out how different Australian cities and regions compare:
| Average Optometrist Salary | Cities and Regions |
| 130,000 AUD+ | Cairns and Far North QLD, Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast |
| 120,000-130,000 AUD | Wagga Wagga and Riverina NSW, Mildura and Murray VIC, Dubbo and Central NSW, Mount Gambier and Limestone Coast SA, Alice Springs and Central Australia |
| 110,000-120,000 AUD | Mandurah and Peel QA, Devonport and North West TAS, Blue Mountains and Central West NSW |
These figures reflect both salary differences and varying demand across the country. Regional areas often pay more because optometrists are in short supply outside major cities.
Projecting optometrist salaries in Australia for 2026
The demand for eye-care services in Australia is likely to grow. An ageing population and rising rates of vision issues suggest a continuing need for optometrists. That said, it’s also important to recognise a growing oversupply of qualified optometrists in many areas.
Why demand could rise
- By 2065, the share of Australians aged 65+ is projected to increase significantly. Older age groups tend to need more frequent optometry services.
- As the population grows overall, so does the baseline demand for eye tests, corrective eyewear, and age-related eye care.
Why caution is needed
- Recent workforce studies by Optometry Australia (OA) warn of a potential oversupply of optometrists by 2040 if current graduate and registration rates continue.
- Oversupply can lead to increased competition for jobs, especially in metropolitan areas, which tends to constrain wages and limit opportunities for new graduates.
What this means for 2026 earnings
While some regions, especially underserved rural or high-demand areas, may see stable or rising wages, other areas may face stagnation or downward pressure, especially if supply continues to outpace demand.
- High-demand or rural regions might expect modest salary growth or stable earnings, possibly slightly above 2025 levels.
- Saturated urban or metro areas could expect salaries to stay near current levels or even tighten for entry-level or newly qualified optometrists.
- Specialists or optometrists with niche skills will have better chances of higher pay due to differentiated services and higher demand.
Comparing optometrist salaries to other healthcare roles
Individuals exploring a career in optometry often compare it with other healthcare and medical professions. According to SEEK, salaries in these fields can vary widely depending on training requirements, responsibilities, and specialisation.
- Dentist: 215,000 AUD
- Optometrist: ~115,000 AUD
- Practice Manager: 95,000 AUD
- Service Supervisor: 100,000 AUD
This shows that optometrists sit comfortably in the mid-high range of healthcare earnings. While dentists typically earn significantly more due to longer training and more complex procedures, optometrists generally earn more than many allied-health and clinic-management positions.
For those prioritising long-term job stability, Global Health Education Australia has identified the top ten healthcare and medical roles with the strongest job security. These roles were selected based on factors like economic trends, organisational changes, and future skill relevance:
- Audiologist
- Podiatrist
- Physiotherapist
- Art Therapist
- Dentist
- Pediatrician
- Cardiologist
- Social Worker
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Optometry is not listed here, but it remains a stable and in-demand field overall, especially in regional and rural Australia.
Salary negotiation tips and next steps
If you’re preparing to negotiate your salary as an optometrist, the key is to do your homework. Research typical salaries for your experience level, employment type, and location. The tips below will help you approach the conversation with confidence.
- Be informed
Alongside salary benchmarks for your role, prepare a list of your achievements. Focus on how your work has positively impacted your patients and community. If you’ve developed relevant non-medical skills such as business management or leadership, present those as well. Wherever possible, back this up with quantifiable data to create a strong case.
- Choose the right moment
If you’re new to a practice, consider waiting for a few months before discussing your salary. This will ensure that you’ve had enough time to make a positive impression. You might also time your conversation a few months before the end of the fiscal year, when budgets and promotions are under review.
- Think beyond the base pay
Salary is just one part of a compensation package. Consider negotiating benefits such as flexible working, extra holiday allowance, professional development funding, or bonuses. These perks can add significant value even if the base salary is less negotiable.
A career in optometry can present you with many different employment options in Australia. Despite rising competition, demand for optometrists remains high in regional and rural areas. By staying informed about market trends and continuing to build your expertise, you’ll put yourself in the best position to grow your career and maximise earning potential.
FAQs
What is the highest salary for an optometrist in Australia?
The highest-paid optometrists are often private practice owners and experienced specialists in high-demand areas, who can earn upwards of 300,000 AUD.
How does an optometrist’s salary compare to a doctor’s in Australia?
Doctor salaries vary significantly by specialisation. In general, optometrist salaries are competitive with those of general doctors. However, specialised doctors, like neurosurgeons and anaestheticians, make significantly more than optometrists.
Is it easy to find a job as an optometrist in Australia?
If you’re flexible on location, finding an optometry job in Australia is relatively easy. Although roles have become competitive in big cities, demand is still strong in regional and rural areas.
Do I need to be registered to work as an optometrist in Australia?
Yes. All practicing optometrists must be registered with the Optometry Board of Australia.