Clinical Assessment Overview
The Clinical Assessment is the final stage of the Standard Assessment Pathway. It allows you to demonstrate your clinical skills and reasoning in a simulated environment with professional actors simulating real patients. You must pass all three compulsory components to receive your Final Certificate.
Assessment Location
Simulation Lab Details
Important Venue Information
Three Compulsory Components
You must demonstrate competency in all three areas of optometry practice. Each component is assessed separately and all must be passed to receive your Final Certificate.
Ocular Examination
Comprehensive assessment of anterior and posterior eye structures, ocular health evaluation, and disease detection.
- • Slit lamp biomicroscopy
- • Ophthalmoscopy / fundus examination
- • Tonometry
- • Visual fields assessment
- • Clinical decision-making
- • Therapeutic management
- • Patient education
- • Referral pathways
Refraction & Contact Lenses
Comprehensive refraction techniques and contact lens assessment, fitting, and management.
- • Objective refraction (retinoscopy)
- • Subjective refraction
- • Binocular balance
- • Prescription determination
- • Lens selection and fitting
- • Assessment of fit
- • Patient instruction
- • Follow-up management
Binocular Vision & Patient Management
Assessment of binocular vision function, paediatric optometry, and holistic patient management including communication.
- • Binocular vision assessment
- • Paediatric eye examination
- • Low vision assessment
- • Visual fields testing
- • Patient communication
- • Treatment planning
- • Interprofessional referral
- • Record keeping
Assessment Criteria
Assessors evaluate your performance based on Australia's entry-level competencies. The Clinical Assessment Information Booklet describes these competencies and related domains.
Clinical Competencies
- Clinical reasoning and decision-making
- Assessment techniques and skills
- Treatment planning and implementation
- Evidence-based practice
Professional Competencies
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Professional behavior and ethics
- Safety and risk management
- Documentation and record keeping
Preparation Requirements
Essential Requirements
Special Circumstances
Preparation Tips
Clinical Skills Practice
- Practice assessment techniques on colleagues
- Review special tests for each area
- Practice explaining procedures to patients
- Work on time management during assessments
Professional Development
- Gain supervised practice experience
- Attend clinical reasoning workshops
- Review Australian optometry guidelines
- Practice cultural safety in clinical scenarios
Important Links
Prepare for Your Clinical Assessment
Build confidence with our clinical scenarios and practice materials designed for the simulation lab assessment