Your Health
Help with glasses and contact lenses
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It is advisable to have regular eye checks by an optometrist or eye specialist. Regular eye tests will help detect any problems early and allow the best treatment and support.
Comprehensive eye examinations are available under Medicare every two years, unless there are clinical reasons for more frequent examinations, such as new signs or symptoms or the presence of a progressive condition. Your optometrist or doctor will advise you.
Spectacles (glasses) and contact lenses can be expensive. So it is wise to think about where you can get discounts and assistance before ordering the glasses or contact lenses.
Remember if you have a favourite pair of frames you can sometimes recycle these by having new lenses put in them.
Thoughtful recycling of your old spectacles
Many people recycle their old spectacles (glasses) frames by having new lenses fitted.
But have you ever wondered about a good use for the old frames (and lenses) when you no longer need them?
The answer maybe to donate them for recycling.
Many optometrists participate in a scheme for recycling frames and lenses in remote Australian areas and overseas. Check with your optometrist.
For more information logon to Community I-Care
Some optical suppliers offer additional discounts for people who are ordering more then one pair of glasses, for example ‘reading’ and ‘sunglasses’.
Seniors Card discounts
Many optical suppliers offer good discounts to holders of a Seniors Card. Check on the listings in your state or territory to find suppliers who are listed as offering discounts:
You may also be eligible for discounts and help from the following sources:
Private Health Insurance
If you have extras cover you should be able to claim a benefit for part of the cost of your glasses and contact lenses from your fund. Check with the fund about the level of benefits before making a decision. Sometimes staff at the optical supplier is also able to offer advice as they may be familiar with the benefits paid by the main funds.
Remember that funds work on either calendar or financial years for paying extras benefits, so timing the purchases can also be useful.
Government schemes
All state and territory governments offer help (mostly for glasses only) to people who meet the specified eligibility requirements. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, some states and territories offer additional help. Inquiries can be made with the authorities listed below.
| State or Territory | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory Spectacles Subsidy Scheme | -- | 02 6205 0534 |
| NSW Government Spectacle Program Administered by Vision NSW | admin@visioncarensw.com.au | 02 9344 4122 |
| Northern Territory Pensioner Concession Scheme | PensionerConcessionUnit.ths@nt.gov.au | 08 89 22 7015 |
| Queensland Spectacles Supply Scheme | -- | 07 3237 1543 |
| South Australia Spectacle Scheme | -- | 08 8415 4286 |
| Tasmania Spectacles Assistance Scheme | -- | North 03 633 64177, South 03 6222 7294, North West 03 6440 7092 |
| Victorian Eyecare Services | vco@optometry.unimelb.edu.au | 03 9349 7400 |
| Western Australian Spectacle Subsidy Scheme | vco@optometry.unimelb.edu.au | 08 9222 4222 |
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Persons with an entitlement can obtain assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. You can phone them on 1800 555 254.
