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Optical care comes under Extras Cover (not Hospital Cover) and covers:
It does not cover eye tests, which are funded by Medicare. Eye procedures, such as treatments for cataracts, glaucoma or eye trauma come under Hospital Cover.
Waiting periods for optical, are usually around 2 to 6 months.
Compare nowEye tests are covered by Medicare, but glasses and contact lenses are not. Extras Cover can reduce those costs.
To decide if you need optical cover, consider how much you spend on glasses and contact lenses plus other Extras Cover treatments (such as dental care and physiotherapy) in a year, then compare it to the cost of a policy. For example, if you spend $300 a year on a policy and you claim for a $200 pair of glasses as well as $400 of dental treatments, that policy is good value.
Remember, there are limits on how much you can claim.
Compare nowUsing the healthslips.com.au calculator, we checked prices for Extras Cover including Optical cover for one adult in NSW, as of October 2026.
The cheapest policy was $201 per year, covering $185 of Optical treatments per year. The most expensive Extras Cover policy was $2,605.20 per year, with a $280 annual limit on Optical treatments.
You can lower out-of-pocket costs by using opticians that have provider arrangements with your insurer – in some cases, the insurer might cover 100% of your glasses costs, for example. Before you buy a policy, check the insurer’s provider network online.
Compare nowNo. Eye tests are covered by Medicare, but glasses and contact lenses are not. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim these costs on Extras Cover.
Only prescription sunglasses are covered by Extras Cover. Non-prescription sunglasses are not covered.
Most eye surgery is only covered on Hospital Cover, however some insurers do cover laser eye surgery on Extras Cover (see below).
Yes, but only on some policies. Some insurers include laser eye surgery in top-level Extras Cover policies, while others include it on Hospital Cover as an additional benefit. Because there’s so much variation, we recommend you contact your insurer and ask whether laser eye surgery is covered, including what type of policy and the waiting period involved.
No. Surgical eye procedures such as cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, eye infections and eye trauma are covered under Hospital Cover.
Yes. If you have a Single Parent or Family policy covering your children, you can claim for the cost of their glasses. Check your policy limits per person and per year.
It depends on the policy. We found some policies on the healthslips.com.au calculator that had waiting periods of 2 months, while others were 6 months. Remember that if you’re switching policies to a similar or lower level of cover, you won’t have to serve waiting periods again.
No. Optical benefits are reset to their annual limits for all members every year, regardless of your claim history. The reset can be at the end of the calendar year or financial year. Check with your insurer.
Some insurers offer higher benefits if you use an optician in their provider network. Check your insurer’s website to find a list of optical providers in your area, or contact opticians to ask what insurers they have agreements with.
