From April 2024, there will be an above inflation* increase in the main registration fee for optometrists, dispensing opticians and body corporates of 6.6 per cent, to £405.
Fees for students will remain the same at £30, and the discount for low income fees will remain at £120, meaning that the low-income fee will increase to £285.
Last year, registrant fees were increased to £380. Between 2020 and 2023, registration fees remained frozen at £360. The changes to fees were agreed by the General Optical Council (GOC) at its latest meeting on 13 December.
The GOC stated: “This increase in fees will ensure the GOC can continue to fulfil its statutory remit and protect the public by upholding high standards in the optical professions, while sensibly managing risks in a climate of continued financial and economic volatility.
“The GOC’s journey over the previous few years has ensured we achieved all 18 PSA standards of good regulation in 2023. The priority now is to consolidate that work so that registrants can be confident they are supported by a sustainable, effective regulator, underpinned by prudent use of registrant fees.
“Next year, the GOC will agree a new financial strategy for 2025-2030, which will include our approach to fees.”
*The current official rate of inflation is 4.6 per cent.