GOC launches 2026 Workforce and Perceptions Survey

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched its Workforce and Perceptions Survey to learn more about registrants’ work experiences, including views on their job satisfaction, working conditions, and plans for the future.

This year’s survey will include new questions on:

Driving vision standards to help inform the sector’s view on the government’s proposal for mandatory sight tests for drivers aged 70+.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the profession.

The online survey is being run independently by Enventure Research to ensure all responses remain confidential.

In response to last year’s findings, the GOC launched a thematic review on commercial practices and patient safety to better understand how it can support registrants and protect the public. This work is currently ongoing and findings from this year’s survey will inform the thematic review report.

Steve Brooker, GOC Director of Regulatory Strategy, said: “Each year, we learn more about registrants’ experiences which help inform our work. Last year’s findings found that registrants experiencing time or commercial pressures are more likely to report difficulties in providing patients with the sufficient level of care they need and this feedback prompted us to launch a review into these issues.

Driving vision standards and AI are two of the hottest topics in the sector so we’ve included new questions which will shape policy development in these areas.

We hope to hear from as many fully qualified registrants and students as possible as your feedback will influence GOC policy. The data collected is also used by the wider optical sector to support their work, including professional and representative bodies, commissioners and national governments.”

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and there is a prize draw to win a £250 online gift card as a thank you for taking part.

The closing date for the survey is 22 April.

Visit the Workforce and Perceptions Survey.