Use your annual health fund optical extras and our expertise to find the perfect eyewear to complement what you already have or create a new look. With new lens technologies and stunning new frame looks, there are lots of reasons to claim new eyewear.

What are optical benefits?

If you hold a health insurance policy and have opted for extras, these will commonly include optical benefits. Optical benefits will cover eyewear such as frames, lenses and contact lenses when they are scripted for vision-correction. Your level of cover will depend on your health fund provider.

New eyewear ideas to help you be extras-savvy

Prescription Sunglasses
Experience crisp vision and UV protection. Sunglasses in your prescription are no longer an indulgence; they’re one of life’s necessities for glasses wearers. Ask us about polarisation for an even better result. You’ll never look back!

Digital Eyewear
Spend 2+ hours on digital devices? Experience neck & shoulder pain, headaches or tired, itchy eyes? Relax and protect your eyes from digital eye strain with dedicated digital eyewear.

Reading Glasses
Wear multifocal glasses and enjoy reading and other close-work? A specific pair of reading glasses will provide clear, uninterrupted vision for these activities.

Sports Eyewear
Whether you play the occasional round of golf or are an elite athlete, Sports specific eyewear can enhance your performance and comfort, whilst protecting your eyes against harmful UV rays and injury.

Contact Lenses
Don’t let glasses get in your way. Enjoy the freedom, comfort and convenience of contact lenses (and they come in multifocals!). The latest contact lens technologies open up a world of possibilities!

Spare Everyday Pair
Whether you’ve broken or lost a pair of glasses, you’ll probably be familiar with the stress of not having a spare pair readily available. Take the stress out of those sticky situations by making sure you have a spare pair with your current prescription on-hand if you need it.

Social/Occasion Glasses
You wouldn’t wear the same pair of shoes with every outfit, so why would you wear the same pair of glasses? Consider a conservative style for work, a bolder design for casual wear and something more elegant for formal occasions.

Make the most of your optical extras

See us before December 31^st to get new eyewear without wearing the full cost.

Find your nearest optometrist now

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Rebates on prescription eyewear

Our optometrists are eligible eyewear providers to members of all health funds. The benefit to you is that rebates can be claimed on prescription frames and lenses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses. Entitlements will vary per health fun provider, so contact your health fund provider to find out what optical health fund benefits you are eligible for.

Claim your benefits on the spot

To make it easy, fast and convenient for you to claim your rebate, our optometrists have the latest technology claiming facilitates. This enables us to process your health insurance claims electronically at the time of your purchase.  No need to fill out paperwork or visit your health fund branch! You only need to pay the gap.

Use it or lose it

Most health funds allocate optical entitlements per calendar year, and in most cases unused benefits don’t roll over. So make sure to keep an eye on the expiry date and visit one of our practices to learn how you can use them smarter.

Whether you’re ready to change up your look or experience the benefits of digital eyewear, drop in to one of our independent optometrists.

Find your nearest optometrist now

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Am I eligible for Medicare?

All Australians qualify for optometric benefits without having to take out private health insurance. Depending on where you are at in your rebate cycle, you may receive a Medicare rebate for your eye examination (with the exception of some contact lens consultations).

You will receive Medicare benefits for eye examinations, except for some contact lens fitting consultations and some examinations that test your visual fitness to drive, fly or be employed by organisations such as the Australian Defence Forces.

If you have private health insurance you may also be eligible for benefits on the purchase of glasses, contact lenses and other optical aids. Your private health insurer can confirm your optical entitlements. In most states pensioners and certain disadvantaged people can obtain optical aids free or at a reduced cost under State Government schemes. Ask your optometrist about these benefits.

What is a bulk billing optometrist?

Bulk billing optometrists can direct bill the government on your behalf. If your optometrist bulk bills Medicare for your eye examination, you pay nothing for the examination. Medicare pays the optometrist 85 per cent of the examination fee and that is accepted by the optometrist as full payment.

Many optometrists direct bill on behalf of pensioners, children and those with limited financial means. This means that all Australians can easily access quality eyecare without having to contribute from their own pockets.

How do I claim my Medicare rebate?

To ensure that you receive your Medicare refund quickly, present your Medicare card whenever you visit your optometrist and choose to claim benefits from Medicare. The card has your Medicare number and is proof that you are eligible for Medicare benefits. You will need to quote this number when making a claim. If your optometrist directly bills Medicare on your behalf you simply need to present your card when you have an examination.

If your optometrist does not bulk bill you can claim Medicare benefits by submitting a claim to Medicare just like you would when you see the doctor. You will have to pay the difference between the account and the Medicare refund, usually 15%, but this can be higher.

Sometimes your optometrist may recommend additional testing, such as digital retinal photography that is not eligible for a Medicare rebate, but is recommended in the best interests of your eye health.

Ready to book an appointment?

Find your nearest optometrist below to experience the highly personalised care provided by our independent optometrists.

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^Medicare information courtesy of the Optometry Australia

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