Toitū te Waiora – in collaboration with regional ophthalmology departments and clinical leads at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora – has developed three ophthalmic technician role skill standards and a micro-credential in response to training gaps identified during the 2024 Health and Wellbeing qualification review.

There are currently no ophthalmology-specific unit or skill standards listed in the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards, and no sub-degree ophthalmology qualifications listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. This new development fills those gaps and meets the need for a practical, foundation-level award that reflects the core skills required to support clinical ophthalmology services.

The skill standards and associated micro-credential will build workforce capability and support access to timely and effective, culturally safe eye care. This is necessary to respond to increasing pressure on services due to rising rates of age-related and diabetes-related eye disease. By creating a pipeline of trained ophthalmic technicians, this micro-credential will help alleviate workforce pressures and improve access to eye care, particularly for underserved populations.

We are now inviting your feedback on the skill standards and micro-credential as part of national consultation:

• Explain eye anatomy, common conditions, and clinical terminology for ophthalmic technicians (5 credits).

• Perform clinical procedures in ophthalmology using culturally safe practice (15 credits).

• Demonstrate the use of ophthalmic medications (5 credits).

• Ophthalmic technician practice micro-credential, Level 4 (25 credits).

 

Please send us feedback by 12^th September 2025 to [email protected]