Eye test in Australia
 

My son will be 12 when we get to Australia and i was wondering what sort of cost it is for eye test and the price of glasses for children.
He obviously gets a free test here in the uk and a voucher towards a new pair of glasses which normaly cost me aprox £55. He'd like to have contact lenses but i think maybe in a few years, are these expensive or about the same? any help appreciated :)

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Eye tests are usually bulk-billed to Medicare. Glass and frames can be up to $500-600(ie not cheap) depending on type, if you do not have optical cover on a health plan to cover costs.

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Thanks for that info. Will have to see about getting optical cover then!:thumbup:

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Read the FINEPRINT, as most plans have a waiting(qualifying ) period before they can be claimed on, as well as sometimes limited payments ie they pay some-you pay the "gap".

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

:thumbsup:will do thankyou.

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

every 2 years...the last time I bought glasses for my two it was $600 but this was for a pair of ordinary specs and a pair of prescription sunnies. A lot of the opticians are now doing buy one get one free offers.....and there are also a couple of good internet sites for specs

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Thanks.
Do you mean he would have his eyes tested every 2 years?

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

they qualify for a FREE test every 2 years...tis up to you how often you get it done but u will pay for extra :D

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Eyetests should be done regularly. The OH has had her's tested twice in the last two years(original test & recently), as her original glasses were not working as good as they were two years before when she got them.

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

Get the test, then order from goggles4u.com

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

:)Thanks everyone for the info:)

Re: Eye test in Australia
 

I thought you get a free eye test every year on medicare?

I think you're right to say no to lenses at age 12, it's waaaaay too young. I'd say at least 16, and even then it would be better to stick with glasses!

(One other piece of eye info, probably not relevant to the 12 year old in the OP, is that if you get a letter from your optometrist saying that you are suitable for laser surgery then you can claim some money back from the cost of a consultation for surgery... I will be doing this over the next few weeks!)