Spectacles Assistance Scheme

Purpose

Assistance may be provided for the purchase of standard frames and lenses for full-time students from Kindergarten through to Senior Secondary level. Application forms are available from optometrists participating in the Scheme.

Eligibility

Students must be attending a Government or registered Non-Government school or college and assistance is also available to school aged children provided with Home Education, where the parent is registered as a Home Educator. Eligibility is based on a parental/guardian or independent student income test and a purchase authority is issued to the optometrist after the application is approved. Income verification is required. The income test and guidelines for this scheme are included with the application form.

Assistance is only available through optometrists participating in the scheme. Applicants should confirm this at the time of consultation or phone the Department on (03) 6233 7100 for the list of participating optometrists.

Recipient(s)

Application forms are to be submitted to the Department of Education for assessment in advance of collecting the spectacles. Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of the assessment and if approved the Department will also send a purchase authority direct to the optometrist nominated by the applicant to cover the cost of standard frames and lenses. If other than standard frames and lenses are chosen, the additional cost is payable by the applicant to the optometrist.

Benefits

Assistance is given for the purchase of new or replacement spectacles. There are conditions on the type of frames and lenses supplied. Assistance is provided for a maximum of one pair of spectacles in any 12 month period unless special circumstances apply (eg. medical reasons, prescription changes). Contact lenses may be provided if an optometrist or eye specialist certifies that they are required for medical reasons.

Means Test

Income assessment is applied to parents/guardians of dependent students applying for assistance under the scheme. Independent students are required to meet the income test and also provide proof of their independent status. The income test used for the scheme is included on the application form.

The parents/guardians of dependent students, approved for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS), in the year of application, are not required to provide income details or proof of income on the application form. This provision also applies to applications submitted by independent students.

Payment Frequency

The payment authority is issued to the optometrist after the application is approved.

Closing Date

Not applicable.

Further Information

See Spectacles Assistance Scheme Application Form which includes "Guidelines for Applicants".

Application forms are available from optometrists participating in the scheme and the Department of Education.

Enquiries

For further enquiries contact:

Financial Assistance Unit

Department of Education

GPO Box 169

HOBART 7001

Telephone: (03) 6233 7041

Facsimile: (03) 6233 7720