The optical diagnostics system is under development for the multi-turn energy recovery linac (ERL), which is used as a source of electrons for the Novosibirsk free electron laser (FEL) facility. Part of the diagnostic system has already been installed on the last track of the ERL. Its full configuration includes stations for measurement of the transversal and longitudinal electron beam profiles upstream and downstream of the FEL undulators. The stations for measurement of the electron beam energy spread and undulator radiation spectrum are at the stage of installation and commissioning. A radiation power sensor will also be set in the special output radiation line, mounted at an angle to the optical axis of the FEL. The new optical diagnostics is mostly required for fine tuning of the magnet system for electron outcoupling experiments. This paper presents a detailed overview of the new diagnostics and discusses the first results of the transverse beam profile measurements and experiments planned for the near future.