Cheap Prescription Glasses Australia 2026 — Best Online Retailers That Ship to AU
Australians pay some of the highest prices for prescription glasses in the world. A basic pair at OPSM runs $250–$400 AUD. Specsavers starts at $39 for a limited range. Online retailers ship identical-quality glasses to Australia for a fraction of the price — but not all of them ship here, and shipping times vary from 7 to 21 days. We checked 10 retailers to find which ones deliver to Australian addresses at the lowest total cost.
How Medicare and Optical Cover Work for Online Glasses
Medicare does not cover prescription glasses for most adults — it only subsidizes eye exams (1 every 3 years via bulk-billed optometrist visits). Private health extras (optical cover) typically reimburse $150–$300 per year toward glasses and contacts. Most Australian health funds (Bupa, Medibank, HCF, nib) will reimburse online glasses purchases if you submit an itemized receipt showing the prescription was filled. Check your fund's app — many let you upload a receipt and get paid within 48 hours. One catch: the receipt must be in English and show the provider's ABN or international equivalent. Fytoo provides a detailed invoice that satisfies all major Australian health funds.
6 Online Retailers That Ship Prescription Glasses to Australia
| Retailer | Frame + Lens (AUD) | Shipping to AU | Delivery Time | GST | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fytoo | ~$15 AUD | $12 flat | 10–14 days | Inc. | 30 days |
| Zenni Optical | ~$10 AUD | $15 AUD | 14–21 days | At border | 30 days |
| EyeBuyDirect | ~$9 AUD | $20 AUD | 14–21 days | Inc. | 14 days |
| Firmoo | ~$30 AUD | $15 AUD | 10–14 days | Inc. | 30 days |
| GlassesUSA | ~$60 AUD | $25 AUD | 7–10 days | At border | 14 days |
| SmartBuyGlasses | ~$50 AUD | Free >$130 | 5–8 days | Inc. | 100 days |
GST and Import Duties — What Australians Actually Pay
Since July 2018, overseas retailers selling to Australia must collect 10% GST on orders under $1,000 AUD. Most major retailers (Fytoo, EyeBuyDirect, Firmoo) include GST in the displayed price at checkout — the price you see is the price you pay. Some smaller retailers (Zenni, GlassesUSA) may not collect GST, which means customs could hold your package and charge GST + a processing fee on delivery. No import duties apply to prescription glasses under $1,000 AUD — they're classified as medical devices under HS Code 9004.90. You won't pay customs duty regardless of where you order from.
AU Price Comparison — Online vs. In-Store
| Option | Single Vision | Progressive | AR Coating | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPSM (in-store) | $250–$400 AUD | $500–$800 AUD | +$50 | 30 days |
| Specsavers | $39–$199 AUD | $299–$549 AUD | Included | 90 days |
| Fytoo (online) | ~$15 AUD | ~$60 AUD | Free | 30 days |
| Zenni (online) | ~$10 AUD | ~$65 AUD | Free | 30 days |
Prices in AUD, approximate at June 2026 exchange rates. Shipping added separately.
Our Pick for Australian Buyers
Fytoo delivers the best combination of low price, fast shipping to Australia, and GST-inclusive pricing. At roughly $15 AUD for a complete pair with free lenses and AR coating, you pay about 6% of what OPSM charges. The 30-day return policy still applies to Australian orders — return shipping to China costs about $15 AUD, but Fytoo often provides a prepaid label for exchanges. Zenni is slightly cheaper on frame price but takes a week longer and GST may be collected at the border, adding uncertainty. For 100-day returns and the fastest delivery (5–8 days), SmartBuyGlasses is worth the higher price.
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