Unlike some other subsidy schemes, the VES is not means tested. You are eligible for subsidised glasses if you are a permanent resident of Victoria and:

• you hold a Pensioner Concession Card in your own name, or
• you hold a Health Care Card in your own name (for more than 6 months  waived until 1 October 2020) or are listed on the Health Care Card as a dependent, or
• you hold a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Gold Card in your own name.

• VES benefits are only available to eligible patients
• VES benefits are available only if glasses or a change of glasses is assessed by your optometrist as clinically necessary
• There is a limit on the number of glasses you can receive under the VES. In a two year period you can receive one pair of reading glasses plus one pair of distance glasses, OR one pair of progressive or bifocal glasses.
• Tints and photochromatic glass lenses are only available under the VES where there is a clear clinical need, determined by your optometrist
• Photochromatic plastic lenses are not available under the VES
• In most cases, ultra-violet and anti-reflective are not subsidised under the VES, unless your optometrist considers this as clinically necessary
• If you wish to use your current glasses frame it must be of assessed by your optometrist as being of suitable condition and quality to be used with new lenses
• Lenses cannot be fitted to rimless or nylon rim frames under the VES If you lose or break your VES glasses within two years, these can be replaced or repaired. A surcharge will charged to you. Please note that this is limited to one replacement every two years

You can choose from a range of metal and plastic frames approved by community Elders.  Depending on your prescription, single vision lenses for long distance and/or reading, bifocals or multi-focal lenses are available.

Please note: transition lenses and spare pairs are available at extra cost (ask your optometrist for details)