The Optometry Board of Australia (the Board) invites applications from registered medical practitioners with relevant expertise for appointment to the Scheduled Medicines Advisory Committee (the Committee) to fill one vacancy.

Applications are strongly encouraged from medical practitioners with a diverse background. In particular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, carers people living in rural or regional areas of Australia and LGBTIQA+ people.

The Board regulates more than 6,700 registered optometrists. The primary role of the Board is to protect the public. The Board works in partnership with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

The role of the Committee is to advise the Board on the following matters with respect to the administration or prescribing of scheduled medicines by optometrists for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes:

• scheduled medicines or classes of medicines that are suitable for optometrists to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, supply or use for the purposes of the practice of optometry
• any guidelines or support materials that might be required to support safe, competent and effective prescribing or administration practice by optometrists, and
• any other matters that the Board may refer from time to time.

The National Scheme has an important role in ensuring the development of a culturally safe and respectful health workforce that is responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples health and contributes to the elimination of racism in the provision of health services.

To achieve this, we have committed to increasing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leadership and voices in the National Scheme and warmly invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply. If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and would like to discuss the opportunity, please email mobvoices@ahpra.gov.au.

The appointment is for a period of up to three years and is expected to commence in February 2024.

More information about the role, eligibility requirements and the application process can be found in the Terms of Reference and Information guide.

Information and tips on how to use PageUp is outlined in the attached PageUp applicant instructions guide.

For general enquiries, please email statutoryappointments@ahpra.gov.au.