ACOD - Australasian College of Optical Dispensing

28/05/2026

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE 🗓️

The biennial ODA Conference & Gala is coming back to Sydney in 2027 🙌

📌 Friday 30 April – Saturday 1 May 2027

Next year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, featuring:
✨ Interactive, hands-on sessions
✨ Inspiring speakers and education
✨ Incredible networking opportunities
✨ An elegant ballroom Gala celebration

Register your expression of interest now and be the first to hear when tickets go on sale 👇

🔗 https://www.odamembers.com.au/event-details/save-the-date-2027-oda-conference

We can’t wait to bring the industry together again in 2027! 🍾

19/05/2026

Every optical practice accumulates surplus stock and unwanted items over time, from discontinued frames and unused lenses to old accessories sitting in drawers or storage rooms. While some items may no longer be suitable for sale or dispensing in practice, many can still have a valuable second life.

📍 Discontinued and Old Stock such as unused frames and uncut single vision lenses, can be donated to the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation (SPEC Foundation). A registered Australian charity and endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR), the donations will be made into complete pairs of new glasses and dispensed during outreach projects in underprivileged communities within the South Pacific region. They can also accept brand new non-prescription sunglasses. Optometry practices can send donations using Harts Couriers / National Optical Distribution.
🔗 specfoundation.org.au

📍 End-of-Life Glasses, Broken Frames, Scratched Lenses, Used Specs with Progressive or Toric Lenses can be sent to dedicated optical industry recycling programs such as Opticycle or Spexcycle. Both have their own individual processes in place for the collection and shipping of donations.
🔗 opticycle.com.au 🔗 spexcycle.com.au

📍 Used Single Vision Sphere Powered Glasses can be donated to Lions Recycle for Sight. The glasses should be fitted with damage free, single vision lenses with no more than a 0.25 dioptre difference between the two eyes and mounted in an undamaged frame. They cannot use cases, broken or empty frames, multi-focals, progressives and cyl-powered lenses or non-prescription sunglasses. Contact your local Lions Club to organise a box and regular collection or post them in the mail.
🔗 lionsclubs.org.au/our-impact/recycle-for-sight-australia

📍 Other Accessories and Equipment such as fabric glasses pouches, lens cloths, nose pads, frame cords, lens spray, lens edger blocks, adhesive blocking pads etc can also be donated to the SPEC Foundation for use during their outreach work.
🔗 specfoundation.org.au

📍 Stock For Teaching Students can be sent to ACOD. Unique frame materials and uncut stock bifocal and progressive lenses, can be used during practical training workshops.
🔗 acod.edu.au

19/05/2026

ACOD workshops going off all over the Aus and NZ!!! 😲😁👏👏

And good luck to the many students about to take on their final workshop and mid year assessments. 😁👍👏💪

And if you're thinking training up yourself or for a colleague, now is a great time to enrol and be ready for the first workshop in Second Semester! 😁👍✅

15/05/2026

🔧✨ Our hugely popular hands-on Frame Repairs Workshop is BACK! ✨🔧

We’re hitting the road over the coming months with new workshop locations including:

📍 Christchurch, NZ: 17th June
📍 Launceston, TAS: 30th June
📍 Melbourne CBD, VIC: 15th August

Ever wanted to learn how to:

👓 Add pad arms and nose pads to plastic frames
👓 Replace sink joints in acetate frames using hot fingers
👓 Master practical frame repair techniques used in practice

Now’s your chance!

This immersive 2.5-hour workshop combines live demonstrations with hands-on practice, giving you the opportunity to build new skills or refine your existing repair expertise under the guidance of an experienced, qualified trainer.

Whether you’re new to repairs or looking to sharpen your technique, this workshop is not to be missed.

Spots are expected to fill quickly!

👉 Visit our events page to learn more and secure your place:
https://www.odamembers.com.au/events

06/05/2026

✨ Support the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation (SPEC Foundation) while showing your patients that you genuinely care.

A simple addition to your practice can make a meaningful impact. Keep a SPEC Foundation donation box on your countertop and invite your patients to support those less fortunate. 💝

You might choose to request a small donation in place of minor repairs or adjustments, or simply offer the opportunity for those who wish to give. Every dollar goes directly towards supporting the SPEC Foundation’s mission.

Choose from four different header cards to suit your practice 🤩

Available to order now from the shop.

🔗 https://www.odamembers.com.au/product-page/spec-foundation-countertop-donation-box

13/04/2026

👀 ACOD Students are invited to attend this FREE ODA event in collaboration with Rodenstock. Details can be found here:
🔗 https://www.odamembers.com.au/event-details/brisbane-rodenstock-lab-visit-2

🚨 Brisbane Event Alert – Tuesday 28th April 🚨

Ever wondered what really happens inside a lens lab? 👀

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to Rodenstock in Brisbane, where you’ll get a firsthand look at the technology, precision, and craftsmanship that goes into creating high-quality lenses.

✨ BONUS for ODA Members: Receive a complimentary pair of premium Rodenstock lenses!

This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of lens production, ask questions, and connect with fellow industry professionals.

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out!

👉 Secure your place now via our events page:
https://www.odamembers.com.au/events
au

02/04/2026

🏝️ Congratulations ACOD teachers Rayleen and Nicole for being selected as speakers at this incredible event! What an exciting conference to be part of 👏

🔗 https://www.odamembers.com.au/fiji2026

🌴 Announcing a world-class speaker line-up in a world-class ‘tropical’ location! 🌴

The ISLAND VISION: ODA Fiji Conference speaker line-up and full program sessions are now live on our website, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s in store.

From respected industry leaders to practical, hands-on learning, this conference is shaping up to be something truly special. If you’re not coming… you’re definitely missing out!

A small number of tickets are still available, and everyone is welcome - optical dispensers, optical assistants, optometrists, and anyone who simply loves the optical industry 🤓

Come and see what all the hype is about
🔗 https://www.odamembers.com.au/fiji2026

☀️ Great education
🌺 Incredible networking
🏝️ A cultural experience you won’t forget

See you in Fiji! 😎

15/03/2026

Oh what a night! 😁👏👏🍾🕺💥

The ODA Gala and ACOD Graduation event last night at the flash Melbourne Town Hall was another wonderful celebration of all things optical dispensing!!! 😁😁👏👏💥🍾

ODA Excellence Awards, followed by the ACOD Graduation of over 40 outstanding newly qualified optical dispenser!!! 😁👏

Please join us congratulating these champions, who are changing the culture of our industry and helping us re-grow the number of qualified dispensers, which our industry so desperately needs. 👍🙏

And you all looked absolutely fabulous!!!! 😁🍾💥🕺🚀👏💃🏼

12/03/2026

Do you think like us , that there is a shortage of optical dispensers in Australia?

If so, then please follow this link, have your say and complete the government survey.

https://submit.dese.gov.au/jfe/form/SV_01DRlTdXoP8WIJM?utm_source=Email+Blast+3&utm_medium=Email&utm_id=OSL+Survey

If Optical Dispensing is correctly listed as a skills shortage, then the state governments will likely release more finance to employers and students to support formal accredited training.

But be quick - the survey closes on March 16!! 😁👍

This information is being collected by the Jobs and Skills Australia to better understand the skills profile in Australia which informs the development of the 2026 OSL.

10/03/2026

🔥 Buy a raffle ticket to support the ODA Outreach and you could WIN a prize pack valued at $1,100 🤑

🔗 https://app.galabid.com/odaoutreach_14march/items/4e96eb2d-6446-4587-a4bb-93a16ea1c2f5

The raffle will be drawn on the 22nd of March at 9pm (AEDT). The winner will be contacted to organise delivery.

Prize includes all of the following:
📍 A case of 6 mixed wines shipped directly to your home from Patritti Winery in Adelaide thanks to Patritti (value $150)
📍A voucher to choose a premium French Designer pair of FACE a FACE sunglasses or optical frames from your local optometry practice stockist thanks to Eyes Right Optical (value $800)
📍 An Uber Eats Voucher thanks to the South Pacific Eye Care Foundation (value $150)