Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing

HLT47825

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification reflects the role of optical dispensers who dispense and supply optical appliances as prescribed by optometrists and ophthalmologists in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice. Optical dispensers practise in a range of environments including optical dispensaries, optometric practices and laboratories. They may be self-employed or employed by another optical dispenser, an optometrist, a major optical dispensing organisation or other retailer.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 100 hours of direct client contact work in an optical dispensing environment as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency. The total number of hours may be applied collectively across all units of competency that include the requirement for workplace hours.

This qualification supports industry accreditation as a dispensing optician in New Zealand.

Foundation Skills Outcomes

The foundation skills outcomes implicit in this qualification are outlined in the below table.

Learning

Reading

Writing

Oral Communication

Numeracy

5

4

4

4

5

Digital literacy outcomes are included in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

There are 100 minimum work placement hours required for this unit.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Optical Dispenser

    This course has 100 mandatory work placement hours.

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      2 years
    • Qualification only:
      6 months – 2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Assist with optical appliance selection and maintenance Core
Communicate and work in health or community services Core
Deliver and monitor a service to customers Core
Dispense advanced optical appliances Core
Dispense atypical and complex optical prescriptions Core
Dispense single vision optical appliances Core
Participate in workplace health and safety Core
Process and manage optical appliance orders Core
Work with diverse people Core
Analyse and achieve sales targets Elective
Apply infection prevention and control procedures to own work activities Elective
Coordinate visual merchandising activities Elective
Develop personal work priorities Elective
Edge and fit optical appliances Elective
Engage the customer Elective
Implement customer service strategies Elective
Maintain business resources Elective
Maintain work health and safety Elective
Manage disrespectful, aggressive or abusive customers Elective
Process customer complaints Elective
Receive and handle retail stock Elective
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern Elective
Sell to the retail customer Elective
Use structured problem-solving tools Elective
Work in a team Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Optical Dispenser

    ANZSCO 399913

    Optical Dispensers interpret optical prescriptions, and fit and service optical appliances such as spectacle frames and lenses.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.

Showing: 1 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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