A Changing Network

Options and choices. ProVision, the nation’s largest optical network, is offering plenty of both in a major change to its membership structure that kicks off in July 2026. That will see the end of its long-standing two-tier membership model and the start of a new structure designed to better support the ambitions and evolution of today's independent practices.

CEO Tony Jones says that the new model will come with multiple entry points, more choice, and services with greater targeted relevance throughout the ownership journey. It caters for optometrists first considering independent ownership through to those transitioning out of the profession.

ProVision’s Aspire program will commence on 1 July with more than 150 optometrists looking to enter the independent space as an owner. It is a free service offering guidance, tools and mentorship for those taking the next step into ownership. At the other end of that journey is ProVision's new Transition program, which is designed to deliver significant value at the professional’s point of exit, helping practice owners protect their legacy, achieve the best possible outcome from their sale, and, where possible, connect them with an aspiring owner.

In between those two programs are four membership tiers: Launch, Core, Grow and Thrive.

A heavily subsidised, full-service program designed to support any first-time independent practice owner through their critical first 12 months. Building strong systems, attracting new patients and establishing the foundations for long-term success, it reflects ProVision's commitment to the future of independent optometry.

For established practices seeking essential buying power and simplified administration, delivering industry-leading supplier discounts and streamlined purchasing management to support everyday operations.

For those seeking to scale, improve profitability and drive efficiency through smarter systems, empowered teams, practical marketing solutions and flexible access to pay-as-you-go services as required.

For practice owners looking to optimise and innovate, with tailored coaching, data-driven insights and all-inclusive access to ProVision's full suite of services and advisory support to help achieve peak performance and goals.

With each membership choice offering an accessible monthly price point reflecting the value of services included, the new model is designed to be as relevant for those just entering independent ownership as it is for established practice owners looking to grow.

But what will those tiers look like for everyday Aussie practices?

Insight talks to eyecare professionals about ProVision and what they hope to achieve from the new membership structure.

Optometrists Sallyanne Smith and Shirley Walker launched Surrey Hills Eyecare in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in September 2025, extending more than two decades of shared clinical experience into their own boutique independent practice.

Both are therapeutically-endorsed and have strong interests in paediatric and behavioural vision care, as well as myopia management. Their investment in advanced diagnostic technology reflects their commitment to early detection, clinical thoroughness and a calm, personalised patient experience.

From the beginning, the pair have leaned heavily on the ProVision network, which they describe as integral to bringing their greenfield practice to life.

Early support included lease negotiation, financial planning and cashflow modelling – key elements they say gave them confidence and clarity during set-up. ProVision’s business mentoring has remained a cornerstone for them, complemented by connections to reputable suppliers, practice designers and referral partners.

They continue to draw on services such as ProMarket and ProSocial for brand development, Optomate practice management system support, continuing education resources, and, more recently, HR assistance to help expand their team.

The benefits, they say, are most evident in the assurance ProVision provides around decision-making and in the professionalism of its structured tools, including ProSupply and ProAccounts, which streamline administration and allow them to maintain their focus on patient care.

When ProVision introduces its new membership structure in July, Surrey Hills Eyecare will join under the Launch tier under the pricing system tailored for emerging practices.

They are particularly looking forward to continued business mentoring, deeper data analysis support, the ProVision conference, and ongoing peer-to-peer engagement through quarterly owner meetings.

They say their long-term goal is to build a sustainable, community-connected, clinically exceptional practice, and they believe ProVision’s strengthened structure and broad support ecosystem will remain central to achieving this vision and to advancing independent optometry in Australia.

Scott and Narelle Dennett established Midwest Optical in Geraldton, a major regional centre 430km north of Perth, more than 28 years ago.

Their mission has always been to deliver accessible, high-quality eyecare to residents of Geraldton and the Midwest region.

Their demographic reflects the full diversity of regional Western Australia, with patients of all ages and a wide spectrum of pathologies. The practice has strong relationships with local GPs and ophthalmologists, supporting its clinical interests in ocular therapeutics and eye-disease co-management, alongside sub-specialty expertise in children’s vision, occupational vision and specialty contact lenses.

Midwest Optical has been part of the ProVision network since 2001, a partnership they say has been central to maintaining competitiveness and adapting to change. Today their focus is on logistics, marketing and education – areas in which ProVision plays a critical role.

As a regional practice, they rely heavily on ProSupply to streamline ordering, improve inventory management and support faster lab turnaround times. ProSocial and ProMarket provide professional, ready-to-use content that strengthens their social media and direct-to-patient communication, while ProLearn has become indispensable for delivering high-quality education to the whole team without the need for travel.

The pair say these services have collectively improved efficiency, enhanced patient engagement and ensured consistent staff development – key pillars for sustaining a modern regional practice.

When ProVision introduces its new membership structure in July, Midwest Optical will transition to the Grow tier. They chose this tier because it preserves the platforms they rely on most – ProSupply, ProLearn, ProSocial and ProMarket – while adding new support mechanisms such as annual business health checks, Member Connect programs and flexible pay-as-you-go services including recruitment and succession planning.

Looking ahead, their long-term goals centre on continuing excellence in product, education and patient engagement while preparing for a future succession phase.

They believe ProVision’s strengthened structure, particularly its evolving support for succession planning, will be instrumental in securing the long-term sustainability and legacy of Midwest Optical.

Mark DePaola is the owner of Graham Hill Eyecare in Shepparton, a long-established independent practice that has cared for the region for more than 60 years.

The clinic comprises five consulting rooms and five optometrists, each with areas of special interest.

DePaola says the practice draws extensively on the ProVision network across both operational and strategic areas, using its supplier programs, ProAccounts integration, benchmarking through ProIntel, marketing support via ProMarket, and education and recruitment services.

He says access to a ProVision coach has been particularly influential, offering an external perspective that has helped guide leadership transitions, refine management structures and support staff development in areas such as culture and customer experience.

Networking within the ProVision community – through education meetings and conferences – has been another major benefit, providing opportunities to connect with like-minded independents, exchange ideas and address common challenges.

Graham Hill Eyecare has chosen the Thrive tier, reflecting its transition from an established practice into a phase of growth and optimisation following its recent relocation to a new facility. The team believes Thrive offers the right level of structured support for this next chapter.

Key benefits DePaola anticipates include business coaching to strengthen organisational and management frameworks, support with cultivating team culture and performance, professional recruitment assistance, ongoing marketing support and structured performance monitoring as the practice scales.

Long-term, the goal is to continue building a sustainable centre of clinical excellence that remains independently owned and deeply connected to the community.

DePaola sees the new ProVision structure as providing a clear pathway from operational strength to strategic growth and, in time, succession planning – ensuring the practice has access to industry insight and expertise at every stage.

After more than 40 years in optometry, Ian Bluntish has been a cornerstone of HoldfastBay Optometry and a familiar presence in the Glenelg community, where he has practised for over two decades.

His patient base spans long-standing local families and retirees, many of whom have followed him for years, drawn by his commitment to clinical excellence and his willingness to embrace new technologies and evolving models of care. His long involvement with ProVision, including serving as chair of its board, has been integral both to his own business journey and to the development of the network itself.

Bluntish says ProVision has provided support “right from the beginning”, helping with areas such as supplier agreements, policies and procedures, marketing resources, management education and peer networks that allowed him to focus on clinical care while building a thriving independent practice. Over time, the network expanded its supplier base, business resources and back-office services, with the introduction of business coaches becoming, in his words, “a valued sounding board” from someone who genuinely understands the practice.

As he prepared to transition out of ownership, Bluntish again turned to ProVision – this time for succession planning. Its guidance helped identify and support incoming owner Tristan Glover through a process made smoother thanks to ProVision’s experience.

Bluntish believes this assistance has preserved both the continuity of care for his patients and the legacy of the practice he built.