Victoria is expanding its role as a global hub for artificial intelligence in healthcare. Optain Health, a world leader in AI-enabled medical technologies, will establish its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Melbourne and expand its R&D and Engineering Hub.
The expansion will create up to 49 new jobs and $10 million in research and development. It will boost local employment and support the growth of Victoria’s health technology sector.
Optain uses AI, robotic retinal imaging, and teleophthalmology to detect eye and systemic diseases earlier. Its technology can identify conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and cardiovascular risk. All tests are non-invasive and use a portable robotic camera with integrated AI analysis.
The new hub will allow Optain to develop AI applications for faster and more accurate detection of a wider range of conditions. The company will also explore oculomics, the study of the eye as a window into overall health.
The APAC headquarters will strengthen partnerships with local universities, industry, and research institutions. Melbourne is home to 188 AI companies, representing about 22 per cent of Australia’s AI sector, making it the country’s largest single AI cluster.
Health and digital technologies are top priority sectors in Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement. Investment in these areas drives innovation, creates jobs, and strengthens the state’s global competitiveness.
Optain CEO Jeff Dunkel said Melbourne offers world-class technology talent and strong support for research. Optain President Dr. Zachary Tan added that the expansion will help export Victorian AI innovation to global healthcare markets.