Membership Services

Membership

 ::  Fellows

Fellows of the College are members who have earned the esteem of their peers in the pursuit of their professional work and activities.

Optometrists can earn the esteem of their colleagues by –

1. being excellent and highly professional practitioners,
2. making significant contributions to research and learning, and by
3. working effectively in the service of their profession and the community

Some optometrists will earn esteem in one category only, others in two or even in all three categories.

Members of the College who work in a practice that has been accredited by the College may make application for Fellowship. They do so on an application form structured to reflect the criteria for Fellowship but applicants may present other evidence of their professional standing.

Applicants for Fellowship who work in a practice that has not been accredited by the College should arrange for accreditation of their practice.

Applications for Fellowship are considered by the Membership Committee. Applications cannot be considered until accreditation of the member’s practice has been confirmed.

The Membership Committee is empowered to recommend to Council admission to Fellowship of optometrists or vision scientists of outstanding achievement who have not made an application.
Non-optometrist members of the College who have made outstanding contribution to the College, or to optometric or vision science may apply for Fellowship.

The Membership Committee reports to the Council of the College, which, on the basis of the recommendation of the Committee may admit a member to Fellowship.

Continuation of Fellowship

Each year Fellows, excepting those who are retired or substantially retired from practice, are required to complete a declaration to confirm that–

1. they continue to work in an accredited practice and continue to practice in accordance with the standards defined by the College’s codes of Ethics and Practice Standards, and that
2. they have undertaken at least the minimum amount of continuing education required, and they may at the same time report on their further achievements and professional contributions.

Fellowship is automatically relinquished if –

1. the Fellow fails to make the annual declaration by December 31
2. the practice within which the Fellow practises ceases to be an accredited practice
3. the Fellow is in arrears of the continuing education requirement for more than 18 months without explanation acceptable to the Membership Committee.

The Council may withdraw Fellowship from any member who, in its opinion, no longer merits the recognition conferred by Fellowship. It will do so only after proper enquiry by the Membership Committee and consideration of the report of that enquiry, and after providing the Fellow with an opportunity to provide explanations.

A non-refundable fee of $55 (inc GST) is payable on application.

Present Fellows admitted to Fellowship under the previous rules will retain their Fellowship subject to –

1. completing the annual return required of all Fellows, and
2. ensuring that the practice within which they work is accredited by December 31

Any present Fellow who fails to make the annual declaration by December 31 in any year or who is practising in a non-accredited practice after December 31 automatically relinquishes his or her Fellowship.

Present Fellows are asked, but not required, to complete the new application for Fellowship for the record and are also asked if they would arrange for their practice to be accredited as soon as is possible.

Fellows who have retired, or substantially retired, from active practice may continue as Fellows without making an annual return.

An application form is available from the Professional Development Office ( telephone (03) 9349 7477 email: profdev@vco.org.au )