Your Degree, Your Way: Vision Connection Takes the Independent Pathway to Australia's Optometry Students
Nine campus events at six universities in 2026 are showing the next generation of optometrists that independence isn't a someday dream. It's a real, supported career path that starts now.
Every year, a new cohort of optometrists walks out of Australian universities with years of clinical training behind them. In 2026, Vision Connection set out to make sure graduates know there is another road, which is the independent path, and that they don't have to walk it alone.
More than one path
Graduates who never hear about independent practices won't know the options available for growth, won't have the chance to follow their passion, and won't be able to choose a practice based on the services it provides.
Vision Connection believes that choice should be an informed one. Our role is simple: open the door, show students what independent practice looks like day to day, and let them decide on what path they want to take.
Meeting students where they are
From Perth in February to Sydney in August, Vision Connection partnered with optometry student societies to bring the independent story onto campus. The formats ranged from dinner-and-discussion, to industry days, and trivia nights.
The flagship Independence Unlocked evenings gave students direct access to people who have built independent careers. At UWA, around 35 students heard from Vision Connection CEO Joanne Scott-Dostine, Vision Connection Advisory Board member Belinda Musitano, and Helen Binckes, an optometrist from Eyes@Optometry in Dalyellup, WA. At the University of Melbourne, Vision Connection Chair Michael Nasser and Joanne compared independent and corporate environments, walked through the realities of practice ownership, and introduced the Vision Connection Independent Path Playbook.
The program also went online. On 12 August, Joanne was joined by Eliza Whiteley of Whiteley Optometry in Dubbo, NSW, for a Practice to Ownership webinar requested by QUT students but was joined by optometry students from various universities. A total of 44 students joined, which
is proof of the growing appetite among future optometrists to understand what independent practice and ownership can offer. Engagement stayed high from start to finish.
Each event ended with an open Q&A, and students asked the questions that matter: What does independent work really look like? How do I get there? Who supports me along the way?
“When students shared their feedback, they were clear: they want more opportunities to branch out, use their skills, and build real patient relationships. That is exactly why we opened up our individual membership to students – to connect them with the independent pathway they’re looking for. We want to back them from day one and give them the community support they need to confidently start their journey.” – Joanne Scott-Dostine, CEO of Vision Connection
Nine events, six universities, one message
| Date (2026) | University | Student society | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 August | UNSW Sydney | OptomSoc | Independence Unlocked |
| 12 August | QUT | QOSS | Practice to Ownership Webinar |
| 5 August | QUT | QOSS | Industry Day |
| 3 August | University of Canberra | UCOS | Masters Students Orientation Week |
| 4 July | Flinders University | FUOSA | Meeting with the student body |
| 13 May | University of Melbourne | UMOSS | Independence Unlocked |
| 9 April | University of Canberra | UCOS | Trivia Night |
| 7 April | UNSW Sydney | OptomSoc | Industry Day |
| 23 February | University of Western Australia | OSWA | Independence Unlocked |
Why independence is worth it
The message Vision Connection carried to every campus was simple: independent optometry lets you practice the way you were trained to.
Use everything you learned. Independent practices give optometrists the time and clinical freedom to apply the full depth of their university training, not just a fraction of it.
Grow on your own terms. From associate to partner to owner, independence opens a pathway where your career, and your business, belong to you.
Build real patient relationships. Independent optometrists know their patients and their communities, and care for them over years, not appointments.
You're never on your own. Through Vision Connection, independents gain the buying power, marketing support, and professional network that help them compete and thrive.
The future of independent optometry starts on campus
This year's program is only the beginning. Every attendee leaves a Vision Connection student event knowing that independence is possible as a future practitioner, partner, or owner who will keep independent eye care strong in their community.
Vision Connection's Individual Membership keeps that connection going. It's free to join and gives students access to future events, webinars, industry updates, student placements, and job opportunities within independent optometry. And this is just the start: there's much more to come for optometry students in 2027!
Optometry students: apply for your free Vision Connection Individual Membership today at visionconnection.com.au/membership-application/individual and start building your independent future.
Student societies: get in touch to bring Independence Unlocked to your campus in 2027.
About Vision Connection
Vision Connection is a marketing and buying group dedicated to empowering independent optometry in Australia. It gives member practices tailored support and exclusive benefits, and brings the independent community together through events, education, and advocacy.
Media and event enquiries: Media, universities, student bodies and other organisations interested in Vision Connection's Independent Pathway learning initiative can contact us at info@visionconnection.com.au or call 1800 920 288.
Student placement enquiries: Independent practices open to hosting optometry students from 2027 can register their interest using this link. You don't need to be a Vision Connection member to register.
