WRITER Evan MacRae

Anticipation is building and the groundwork is complete for WAVE 2026 in WA. After a sell-out in 2025, in partnership with Optical Dispensers Australia, this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before.

Optometry Western Australia’s highly valued Western Australian Vision Education conference (WAVE) is back for 2026.

This exceptional conference consistently delivers high-quality and interesting education, along with engaging interactive therapeutic content for all delegates, whether online or in the room. Sadly for those online, we are yet to work out how to engage with you at the legendary Saturday Sundowner...

In 2026, within our highly successful hybrid format, WAVE will return to the iconic Fremantle Esplanade Hotel. And we’ve negotiated extremely attractive room rates for those looking to stay on and enjoy what WA, Fremantle, and perhaps Rottnest Island have to offer.

Old favourites delivering new content in 2026 will include Graham Lakkis, Dr Geoffrey Chan, Associate Professor Zhichao Wu, Steve Leslie and our ever popular speaker for the last session, Dr Charlotte McKnight. New to WAVE will be University of Western Australia’s (UWA’s) own Mark Lucey, Dr Rohan Hughes, Christine Nearchou, Jillian Campbell and Dr Tom Cunneen. Presentations will cover a range of clinical and business-focussed topics, including artificial intelligence in eye care, corneal topography interpretation, and children’s vision and learning.

WAVE 2026 is designed with the Optometry Board Australia’s continuing professional development (CPD) requirements front of mind. Delegates can achieve their therapeutic and interactive CPD requirements for the year over one weekend. As in previous years, the program has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate members’ individual learning plans and provide interactivity, ensuring all attendees online or in the room leave with valuable insights and skills to apply in their optometrjy practice. New Zealand optometrists will benefit from NZ CPD accreditation for the whole conference.*

Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) is back for 2026, delivering more workshops on Saturday and hosting a Gala evening on the Friday night preceding WAVE. ODA attendees will also have access to the trade display, and the very social Saturday evening Sundowner by the pool. Don’t miss our live OWA member-led band performing.

If you haven’t registered yet, we strongly encourage you to do so. WAVE 2026 promises to be a remarkable education fest, offering unique insights and networking opportunities to advance your optometry career, regardless of stage. Visit: wave.evexus.net/au.

EARLY CAREER ASSISTANCE AND EVENTS

The Early Careers Optometrist (ECO) WA committee continues to support early career optometrists through professional development, networking, and by fostering a strong sense of community. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, the focus has been on building deeper connections within our early career cohort and creating opportunities for graduates and young optometrists to engage with peers, share experiences, and feel supported as they transition into professional practice. To this end, ECO is increasingly collaborating with UWA and its students, focussing on wellness, resilience, career development, and expanded career opportunities. Look out for the next Thinking Outside the Box Career Panel event to broaden your thinking.

OWA LEADERSHIP

OWA represents employees and employers within independent and corporate practices, locums and contractors, as well as academics and everyone in between. The common denominator is you the optometrist.

We are prepared for 2026 with a well-balanced management committee comprised of members from a broad cross-section of the profession. President Stephanie Bahler is back for her fourth term and Ella Goh has stepped into the role of Vice President. We farewelled long-serving education lead Hui-Lin Chan and committee member Michelle Bell, and welcome Nick Tran and Rajneil Prasad to the committee.

Our team remains small, however, our intent to make it better for members continues unabated. We tirelessly advocate for increased employment in the public sector and other clinical roles, including collaborative care models, such as partnerships with ophthalmology and public care systems. We lobby to improve Medicare access and rebates for optometry services, and we advocate for changes in workforce conditions and the use of key performance indicators, as well as compliance with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency’s Code of Conduct.

As the year gathers momentum, we are grateful for the dedication of our board and unwavering support of our members. Together, we can continue to elevate the field of optometry, bring about positive change, and create a future filled with opportunities and success for all optometrists in Western Australia.

See you in Fremantle from 21-22 March.

Evan MacRae is the Chief Executive Officer of Optometry Western Australia.

*Pending approval at time of writing.