Student Leadership Program

Optometry Australia’s Student Leadership Program is designed to give students the skills they need to become future leaders within the optometry profession.

In 2026, the program will align with the Optometry Clinical Conference in Brisbane in August, giving participants opportunities to network formally and informally with established leaders in optometry.

The program includes a variety of coaching sessions focusing on different models of leadership, understanding the purpose of leadership and clarifying guiding values. It is designed to ensure optometry’s emerging leaders have the skills to navigate the anticipated opportunities and challenges of a changing optometry landscape.

Optometry Australia partners with the Australian School of Entrepreneurship (ASE) to deliver the Optometrists Leadership Hub, an initiative aimed at empowering optometry students with essential soft skills and equipping them to become effective leaders in their field. The Optometrists Leadership Hub will be facilitated by Jahin Tanvir, a former optometry student, Student Leadership Program Alumni, CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship and all-round superstar.

Program inclusions

• Virtual access to on-demand content via ASE’s accessible Space platform, allowing participants to develop ‘soft skills’ at their own pace.
• Access to live webinars connecting participants with their peers and optometry sector leaders.
• An in-person event at the Optometry Clinical Conference in Brisbane in August, jointly facilitated by Optometry Australia and ASE, with the opportunity to connect to peers, student leadership program alumni and local sector leaders.

2026 program dates

Session 1: Wednesday 15 July (online) 7–8pm AEST

Session 2: Wednesday 22 July (online) 7–8pm AEST

Session 3: Wednesday 29 July (online) 7–8pm AEST

Session 4: Wednesday 5 August (online) 7–8pm AEST

Session 5 (Final workshop + gala): Sunday 9 August (in person at Optometry Clinical Conference).

Please note, attendance at 80% (4 of the 5) of sessions is compulsory. Flights and accommodation to the in-person event in at Optometry Clinical Conference in Brisbane will be covered by Optometry Australia.

How to apply

Applications open on Monday 30 March and close at 5pm Monday, 20 April 2026. There are 15 places available. Applicants must be enrolled at an Australian or New Zealand university.

Applicants should write a brief (ideally, no more than one A4 page) response to these questions:

• What do you think being a leader means?
• What leadership experience have you had?
• Why do you think you would benefit from participating in the Student Leadership Program?

Please also include:

• Details of your university and year level
• Your OA/NZAO membership number
• At least one referee contact name, email address and mobile number. Please note, we do not need support letters.

Submit your document saved as “2026 SLP Application”. Email your application to student@optometry.org.au by 20 April 2026.

Membership requirements

Australian students must be a member of Optometry Australia – membership is complimentary for Australian optometry students; sign up here.

New Zealand students must be a member of NZAO; sign up here.

The 2026 Student Leadership Program is proudly sponsored by Alcon.