A bulk billed eye test is an eligible optometry service where the optometrist bills Medicare directly and accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for that service. If the service is bulk billed, you do not pay an out-of-pocket fee for that service. Not every optometrist bulk bills, and not every service provided during the same visit is automatically covered, so it is worth confirming eligibility and any extra costs before your appointment.
For routine comprehensive eye examinations, Medicare rules generally allow an eligible person under 65 to claim the relevant comprehensive consultation once every 36 months, while people aged 65 and older may claim the relevant comprehensive consultation once every 12 months. Other Medicare optometry items may apply sooner when there is a significant change in visual function, new signs or symptoms, or a progressive disorder. The appropriate item depends on the clinical circumstances and Medicare eligibility.
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Find an OptometristKey Takeaways
- Bulk billing means the practice accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the eligible service, so there is no out-of-pocket charge for that service.
- For routine comprehensive eye tests, the standard Medicare interval is generally 36 months for people under 65 and 12 months for people aged 65 and older.
- A new vision problem, significant change in visual function or progressive eye condition may support an earlier Medicare-rebated consultation under another MBS item.
- Medicare does not cover the purchase of glasses or contact lenses.
- Additional tests or imaging may have separate fees depending on the service, Medicare eligibility and the practice. Ask before the appointment.
- You do not need a GP referral to book an eye test with an optometrist.
What Is a Bulk Billed Eye Test?
Bulk billing is a Medicare billing arrangement. The health professional bills Medicare directly and accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the eligible service. Services Australia states that eye tests performed by optometrists can be bulk billed, but the patient must be enrolled in Medicare and the optometrist must choose to bulk bill the service.
This is why “Medicare-covered” and “free eye test” are not always interchangeable. Medicare may provide a benefit for an eligible optometry service, but a practice can choose to private bill instead of bulk bill. If the practice does not bulk bill, you may need to pay the fee and claim the Medicare benefit for the eligible service, leaving an out-of-pocket gap.
How bulk billing works
- You book directly with an optometrist; a GP referral is not required for a standard optometry eye test.
- The practice checks the service and your Medicare eligibility.
- If the practice bulk bills the eligible service, it claims the Medicare benefit directly and accepts that amount as full payment for that service.
- If other services are provided during the same visit, ask whether each one is covered or whether an additional fee applies.
| Billing method | What happens | Possible cost to you |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk billed | The optometrist bills Medicare directly and accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the eligible service. | No out-of-pocket fee for that bulk billed service. |
| Private billed | You pay the practice fee. If the service is Medicare-eligible, you may claim the applicable Medicare benefit. | A gap may remain between the practice fee and the Medicare benefit. |
How Often Can Medicare Cover an Eye Test?
The routine intervals below apply to comprehensive initial optometry consultations under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). They are not a rule that says you should ignore new symptoms until the interval has passed.
If you are under 65
For the standard comprehensive initial consultation item for people under 65, the MBS uses a 36-month interval. In simple terms, this is commonly described as one routine Medicare-subsidised comprehensive eye test every three years, subject to the item rules and your eligibility.
If you are 65 or older
For the standard comprehensive initial consultation item for people aged at least 65, the MBS uses a 12-month interval. This is commonly described as one routine Medicare-subsidised comprehensive eye test each year, subject to the item rules and your eligibility.
When an earlier Medicare benefit may apply
The MBS includes other optometry consultation items for situations where a person needs comprehensive reassessment sooner. For example, an earlier consultation may be claimable when there is a significant change in visual function, new signs or symptoms, or a progressive disorder that requires reassessment. These are clinical billing rules rather than automatic entitlements, so the optometrist needs to determine the appropriate item for the circumstances.
Do not wait for the routine Medicare interval if your vision changes. If you develop new or worsening vision symptoms, contact an optometrist or other appropriate health professional. Sudden vision loss or other severe sudden symptoms may require urgent medical care.
Children and ongoing eye conditions
Children are covered by the under-65 routine interval for the standard comprehensive item, but their clinical need for an eye examination is not determined by that interval alone. If there are concerns about vision, school performance, eye alignment, headaches, squinting or a known eye condition, ask an optometrist when reassessment is appropriate. You can also read AMV’s guide to children’s eye tests in Australia.
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Find an OptometristWhat Does Medicare Cover for Eye Care?
Medicare can pay a benefit for eligible optometry services. If the optometrist bulk bills that service, the Medicare benefit is accepted as full payment and you do not pay for that service. The exact service billed depends on the consultation and the MBS item that applies.
Glasses and contact lenses are not covered by Medicare
Services Australia states that Medicare does not cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Private health insurance may contribute depending on your insurer and level of cover, and some states and territories have assistance programs for eligible people.
Additional imaging or tests may cost extra
A bulk billed consultation does not automatically mean every test, scan or service offered during the visit is free. If the practice recommends retinal photography, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) or another additional service, ask whether that service is covered by Medicare, whether it is included by the practice, and whether you will have an out-of-pocket cost.
How to Prepare for a Bulk Billed Eye Test
A little preparation can make it easier for the optometrist to understand why you are attending and whether any additional assessment may be needed.
What to bring
- Your Medicare card or Medicare number.
- Your current glasses, prescription sunglasses or contact lens details if relevant.
- A list of medicines you take, including eye drops.
- Details of any recent vision changes, eye symptoms or concerns.
- Relevant eye or health history, including diabetes or a family history of eye disease if applicable.
Questions to ask before or during the appointment
- Do you bulk bill this type of eye test?
- Am I eligible for a Medicare benefit for this appointment?
- Will any tests or imaging have an additional fee?
- If you do not bulk bill, what is the consultation fee and what Medicare benefit may I be able to claim?
- Are glasses, contact lenses or other products charged separately?
- If I need follow-up care, will that appointment have a separate fee?
How to Find a Practice That Offers Bulk Billed Eye Tests
Bulk-billing policies vary between optometry practices and may also vary by service or patient eligibility. Check directly with the practice when booking rather than assuming every eye test will be bulk billed.
Australian Made Vision is a directory and eye-health information publisher, not a clinic. You can find an independent optometrist near you and contact the individual practice to confirm whether it bulk bills eligible Medicare eye tests, what services are included and whether any additional fees apply.
If you want to understand the care model before choosing a provider, read what independent optometry means in Australia. Independence describes ownership and decision-making; it does not automatically mean a practice bulk bills or that one model of care is clinically better than another.
Find Eye Care That Suits Your Needs
Search for an independent optometrist near you and find a local practice that suits your specific eye care needs.
Find an OptometristFrequently Asked Questions
Is an eye test always free with Medicare in Australia?
No. Medicare can provide a benefit for eligible optometry services, but the appointment is only free to you when the eligible service is bulk billed. Not every optometrist bulk bills, and extra services at the same visit may have separate fees.
Can I get a bulk billed eye test every year?
For the routine comprehensive initial consultation, people aged 65 and older generally have a 12-month Medicare interval. For people under 65, the routine interval is generally 36 months. Other MBS items may apply sooner when there is a significant change in visual function, new signs or symptoms, or a progressive disorder that requires reassessment.
Does bulk billing cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses?
No. Medicare does not cover the purchase of glasses or contact lenses. Private health insurance or a state or territory assistance scheme may contribute for some people, depending on eligibility.
What happens if my optometrist does not bulk bill?
You will generally need to pay the practice fee. If the service is Medicare-eligible, you may be able to claim the applicable Medicare benefit. Ask the practice what it charges and what benefit you may be able to claim so you understand the likely gap before attending.
Are children’s eye tests always bulk billed?
No. Children may be eligible for Medicare benefits for optometry services, but the practice still decides whether it bulk bills the service. If a child has symptoms, a known eye condition or another reason for earlier reassessment, the optometrist can determine whether another MBS item applies.
Do I need a GP referral for a bulk billed eye test?
No. Services Australia states that you can book an eye test directly with an optometrist without a GP referral. If the optometrist identifies a problem that needs specialist medical care, they may recommend or arrange referral to an ophthalmologist or another health professional.
Can international visitors get a bulk billed eye test?
Only people who are eligible for Medicare can receive Medicare-funded services. Some visitors from countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia may have limited Medicare eligibility, but the conditions differ by country. Check your eligibility with Services Australia and confirm billing with the optometry practice before booking.