AbstractImportanceNational data on eye health‐care service utilization will inform Australia's eye health policy.BackgroundTo investigate the utilization of eye health‐care services by Australians.DesignCross‐sectional survey.ParticipantsIndigenous Australians aged 40 years and older and non‐Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and older.MethodsOne thousand seven hundred thirty‐eight Indigenous Australians and 3098 non‐Indigenous Australians were recruited from 30 randomly selected sites, stratified by remoteness. Sociodemographic, ocular history and eye health‐care service utilization data were collected, and an eye examination was conducted.Main outcome measuresRecentness of eye examinations, types of providers used and associated risk factors.ResultsApproximately 67.0% of Indigenous Australians and 82.5% of non‐Indigenous Australians underwent an eye examination within the previous 2 years. Indigenous status (P < 0.001), male gender (P < 0.001), Outer Regional (P < 0.001) and Very Remote (P < 0.001) residence were associated with less recent examinations. Participants with >self‐reported eye disease or diabetes were most likely to have been examined within the past year (P < 0.001). For Indigenous Australians, older age was associated with recent eye testing (P = 0.001). Those with retinal disease and cataract were more likely to see an ophthalmologist (P < 0.001), and those with refractive error were more likely to see an optometrist (P < 0.001). In Regional Australia, non‐Indigenouspeople were more likely to see optometrists (P < 0.001), and Indigenous Australians were more likely to utilize other, non‐specialistservices (P < 0.001).Conclusions and relevanceEye examination frequency has improved in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians compared with previous population‐based research. Further improvements are required in risk groups including Indigenous Australians and those living in Regional and Remote areas.