The objective of the VOS is to improve the eye health of people in regional, rural and remote locations by:

• increasing optometry services in areas of identified need;
• improving the coordination and integration of those eye health services and the quality of ongoing patient care; and
• enhancing communication between visiting optometrists, local health providers and other visiting health professionals.

To achieve this, the VOS provides funding to address a range of financial disincentives incurred by optometrists providing outreach services, including:

• travel, accommodation and meals;
• facility fees and administrative support at the outreach location;
• lost business opportunity due to time spent travelling to outreach locations;
• locum support at the home practice; and
• lease and transport of equipment.

Improved coordination, integration and communication are addressed through linkages with the planning and service delivery processes undertaken by State/Territory funded health organisations, primary health organisations, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and other relevant stakeholders at the jurisdiction and local level.

Word version: VOS Service Delivery Standards (Word 90 KB)
PDF version: VOS Service Delivery Standards (PDF 274 KB)