If you wear glasses or contact lenses, the cost can add up to thousands of dollars over a lifetime. An extras policy with optical cover can help reduce your bill by providing rebates for prescription eyewear, allowing you to save when you next visit the optometrist.
What does optical health insurance cover?
Optical cover is included in most health insurance extras plans, allowing you to claim up to a set amount each year for corrective eyewear. You’ll be covered for a range of products to help you look after your vision.
What’s covered:
- Prescription glasses
- Contact lenses
- Prescription sunglasses
- Replacement lenses
- Repairs
Over-the-counter reading glasses, which use non-prescription magnifiers, will not be included in your optical cover.
What’s not covered:
- Non-prescription eyewear
- Glasses and contact lenses bought overseas
What may be covered:
- Lens upgrades, such as anti-reflective coating, tinting and UV protection
The specific inclusions and annual limits will vary from plan to plan, so it’s important to check your policy carefully. In most cases, you’ll also have to serve a waiting period before you can make a claim, typically between two and six months.
Other eye health cover
Some extras policies also include eye therapy to treat issues like crossed eyes or double vision, up to a set limit. This is separate from the general optical cover on your plan.
More serious conditions that require hospital treatment may be covered under hospital health insurance policies. However, this cover may not be available on basic hospital plans, and you may need a higher-level plan (such as silver or gold) to be covered for treatments like cataract surgery.
Does health insurance cover laser eye surgery?
Health insurance cover for laser eye surgery may be available on some higher-level extras policies, but it’s not a standard inclusion and is categorised separately from other types of optical cover. It usually comes with longer waiting periods of two to three years and, while it contributes to the cost of surgery, typically does not cover the full procedure.
As an example, here’s what you could be covered for with ahm:
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual / lifetime limit | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|---|
| High extras plan | $97 | Annual limit $1,800 per person ($900 per eye), lifetime limit $1,800 | 2 years |
| Medium extras plan | $58 | Annual limit $1,200 per person ($600 per eye), lifetime limit $1,200 per person / $2,400 per family | 2 years |
| Source: Compare Club, February 2026
Example quote is for a single 35-year-old in Sydney on a base-tier salary.
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How much is optical health insurance?
While you can’t buy optical cover as standalone policy, extras plans with optical cover can start from less than $20 dollars a month. However, the more you pay for your plan, the more you can typically claim for optical products.
Here are some of the cheapest and most comprehensive extras plans currently available through our partner:
Cheapest extras plans with optical cover
| Provider | Monthly price | Optical cover details |
|---|---|---|
| HCF | $18 | Annual limit: $100 per person / $200 per policy 100% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| See-U by HBF | $20 | Annual limit: $150 per person / $300 per policy 100% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| Nib | $26 | Annual limit: $150 per person / $300 per policy 100% of single-vision lenses and multifocal lenses up to annual limit |
| Bupa | $26 | Annual limit: $150 per person / $300 per policy Single-vision lenses: $73.20 with optical partners, $53 with other providers Multifocal lenses: $144.60 with optical partners, $116 with other providers Frames: $139 with optical partners, $124.50 with other providers |
| ahm | $33 | Annual limit: $180 per person / $360 per policy 100% of single-vision lenses and multifocal lenses up to annual limit |
| Australian Unity | $43 | Annual limit: $200 per person / $400 per policy 100% of single-vision lenses and multifocal lenses up to annual limit |
| Source: Compare Club, February 2026
Example quote is for a single 35-year-old in Sydney on a base-tier salary.
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Highest-level extras plans with optical cover
| Provider | Monthly price | Optical cover details |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | $71 | Annual limit: $250 per person 60% fee up to annual limit for frames and single-vision and multifocal lenses |
| HCF | $84 | Annual limit: $275 per person 100% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| Australian Unity | $96 | Annual limit: $300 per person / $600 per policy 100% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| ahm | $97 | Annual limit: $250 per person – limit increases at 5, 10, 15, 20 years of membership 100% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| Nib | $135 | Annual limit: $350 per person 75% of single-vision, multifocal and contact lenses up to annual limit |
| Source: Compare Club, February 2026 Example quote is for a single 35-year-old in Sydney on a base-tier salary. |
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How do I compare optical cover?
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What’s covered
Look at things like the types of lenses included, whether you need to buy frames and lenses together and if contact lenses are covered.
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Annual and policy limits
Check the maximum you can claim per year and any overall policy limit to ensure it covers what you need. On family plans, individual limits can be lower if there’s an overall policy limit.
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Percentage of coverage
Some plans cover the full cost up to the limit (no gap), while others cover only a percentage or up to a set amount.
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Waiting periods
Waiting periods for optical cover can range from 2 to 6 months, while some providers may even waive the waiting period.
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Extra services and discounts
Some insurers partner with preferred optical providers, offering discounts or additional services for free to help you save even more.
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Other inclusions on the extras plan
Optical cover can’t be taken out on its own. Even if it’s your main focus, check the other inclusions on the plan to see what additional services you make use of.
Why compare health insurance policies through Savvy?
How to get optical health insurance
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Fill out our online form
Apply for a quote for extras cover with optical benefits.
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Speak with a health insurance advisor
We’ll connect you with an expert to find a plan that suits your optical and extras needs.
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Take out your extras policy
Choose your health insurance plan and make the most of your benefits.
What if I already have an extras plan?
If you already have extras cover and find that you need glasses, check your policy to see what’s included. You’ve likely already served the waiting periods, so you may be able to claim straight away for the cost of frames and lenses.
