Orthoptist Grade 3

Are you a current Austin Health employee?

If yes, please log in to the Austin Health careers website via ‘Employee Login’ using your network login details to search, view and apply for all career opportunities available.

• Orthoptist Grade 3, permanent part time (4 hours/ week)

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About the Ophthalmology Unit

The Ophthalmology Unit is based in the Outpatients Department at the Repat Campus, where multiple clinics run throughout the week. The Orthoptic Unit, closely integrated with the Ophthalmology Unit, delivers comprehensive orthoptic services across Austin Health. Both inpatient and outpatient orthoptic services are based at the Repat Campus and the Royal Talbot Campus. The unit provides high-quality patient care and has a strong commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Both the Ophthalmology and Orthoptic Units operate within the Surgical and Procedural Medicine (SAPM) Division, which offers a broad range of surgical services, including elective and 24/7 emergency surgery. The division is committed to delivering exceptional patient care and fostering ongoing professional development for its staff.

About the role

The Grade 3 Orthoptist is a senior clinical leader and subject matter expert, responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based orthoptic care across Austin Health. This role integrates expert clinical practice with leadership, education, research, and service development to ensure optimal patient outcomes and continuous service improvement.

With at least seven (7) years of professional experience and recognised specialist knowledge, the Grade 3 Orthoptist is expected to exercise advanced professional judgement, work autonomously in clinical decision making, and contribute to the strategic and operational planning of the Ophthalmology Unit. The role includes mentoring and supervising junior orthoptic staff and students, contributing to clinical audits (including biometry and cataract surgery outcomes), and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders such as La Trobe University and Orthoptics Australia. Working in close collaboration with the Head of Department, the Grade 3 Orthoptist supports service leadership by promoting best practice standards, advancing innovation through research and teaching, and ensuring clinical governance and quality assurance within the orthoptic service.

About you

Essential Knowledge and skills:

• Bachelor of Orthoptics & Ophthalmic Sciences (or equivalent qualification) and registration with the Orthoptic Board of Australia.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of clinical experience in orthoptics, with demonstrated expertise across a broad scope of practice.

• Proven ability to work independently and exercise expert professional judgement in orthoptic-led clinics.

• Commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centred care.

• Strong understanding of professional, legal, and ethical standards in orthoptic practice.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement, patient safety, and clinical governance.

• Experience supporting service improvement initiatives and implementing change within a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and supporting the development of junior orthoptists and students.

• Advanced computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

• A commitment to Austin Health values, ensuring professional integrity and excellence in patient care.

Desirable but not essential:

• Previous public hospital experience.

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 
• Five weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time), plus purchased leave option

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. Austin Health is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with Child Safe Standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Danielle Thorburn, Chief Orthoptist, Danielle.Thorburn@austin.org.au.

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026