Welcome to the OAA NSW/ACT Division Website
NOTE TO ALL WEBSITE VISITORS...
If you are looking for an optometrist with therapeutic qualifications (or other specific attributes), you are welcome to call the NSW/ACT Association for assistance on (02) 9712 2199.
ATTENTION THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRISTS!
If you have therapeutics qualifications and haven’t yet advised the office, please contact Andrew on (02) 9712 2199 or via email by clicking here. We are compiling a list of members with therapeutics endorsement.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Super Sunday Coming Up - Places Filling Fast!
Limit of 500 delegates!
A reminder that Super Sunday is back for 2013 – Sunday 23 June, Australian Technology Park, Redfern. A great program with up to 30 CPD points + Saturday workshops. The Program/Topics/Registration Form can be downloaded by clicking here, or you can email sarah@oaansw.com.au or call (02) 9712 2199.
MAY 2013 NEWS: And Skiing, Too!
Another one for your diaries – NSW/ACT Ski Conference, Friday 19-Sunday 21 July, Thredbo Alpine Hotel. It will be yet another great program of ski + CPD!
To download the Registration Form, click here.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Federal Government to Restrict Claims for Work-Related Education Deductions
Members may have seen recent reports that the federal government is to restrict claims by individuals for work-related education expenses to a maximum of $2,000.00p/a. This would mean that many people, optometrists included, would no longer be able to claim the full cost of attending compulsory CPD where that cost exceeds $2,000.00 in a year. The Association has written to Treasurer Wayne Swan raising strong objections to the changes – we are waiting on a reply.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Final Year Student Careers Expo - A Great Day
Friday 12 April brought together the full final year cohort from UNSW (49 students) and 24 exhibitors to talk about employment prospects for our graduates in 2014. Feedback from both students and potential employers was very positive, with a feeling that many of this year’s students are open to relocating outside the major capitals in search of a broader optometric experience. If anyone is interested in potentially hiring a new grad in early 2014, please contact the office on (02) 9712 2199 and we’ll get your details to the students.
Students meet exhibitors at the OAA NSW/ACT Employment Expo.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Optometry Giving Sight - Add a 'Brick' to Help Build Vision Centres!
Optometry Giving Sight is inviting practices who are involved in the donation box program to invigorate patient engagement with a new "Brick and Poster" tool.
As many existing donors would be aware, Optometry Giving Sight funds the solution to global uncorrected refractive error by supporting programs that deliver vision care, train local eye care professionals and develop infrastructure. Much of this infrastructure development is in the area of supporting the building of vision centres.
The story of a vision centre is particularly powerful for a patient who may not be familiar with the work of Optometry Giving Sight. One vision centre can see up to 3000 patients a year in a developing country. Ten vision centres, over the course of ten years, will give access to vision care for 300, 000 people where services have never before existed.
For more information, click here.
MAY 2013 NEWS: One Last Time - Superannuation Payments Required for Locums
Just to reiterate our story in the National e-news, the ATO requires that practices which retain a locum pay superannuation on the locum’s fees. This ruling has been around for some while but it is apparent that most locums and principals were unaware of the requirement. The work-around for this is that the locum provides services through a company which employs them (it can be their own company). The company bills for the locum services and then the superannuation obligation exists between the company and its employee. However, if a locum doesn’t have this sort of arrangement, then the principal who retains the locum has an obligation to pay superannuation just like they do with their normal staff. For further assistance contact the Association on (02) 9712 2199 or click here to visit the ATO website.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Industrial Relations & Employment Advice - A Key Member Benefit
One of the most valuable benefits available to members of the NSW/ACT Division is specialist Industrial Relations and Employment advice. In concert with the Division’s specialist IR lawyers, we can provide a wide range of highly expert advice on all sorts of employment and industrial relations matters. If you have an employment-related question, make the Division your first port of call on (02) 9712 2199, or email Andrew.
MAY 2013 NEWS: Association Position on PD Measurements on Prescriptions
We have received a run of enquiries from members and the public about the inclusion of PD measurements on a prescription. The Association issued a statement in 2009 stating its position and that can be downloaded here.
In brief, it is the Association’s view that "...a PD measurement is part of the optical dispensing process and as such is not specified as part of an optical prescription."
MAY 2013 NEWS: Industry Events Calendar
Click here to be taken to our Industry-wide Events Calendar, updating you on optometric events happening throughout the coming year.
News Page »
Industry Events Page »
Reminders Page »
