Victorian Eyecare Service

Description

The Victorian Eyecare Service (VES) is a statewide eyecare and visual aid service for people experiencing disadvantage or other barriers to accessing eyecare services. VES is available to Victorians who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined below. VES is administered by the Australian College of Optometry (ACO). The ACO coordinates delivery across a range of locations and in partnership with private practice optometrists in rural regions.

Services in Melbourne are available from the college's Carlton site, their new Dandenong site and at some community health services around Melbourne. The ACO - Clinic locations webpage lists service locations in metropolitan Melbourne, and their contact information.

Regional and rural VES is provided by private practice optometrists and ophthalmologists. While VES is not available in all rural locations, all VES eligible Victorians can access metropolitan services provided by the ACO.

VES includes such services as:

• the Victorian Aboriginal Subsidised Spectacles Scheme
• outreach to supported residential services, public sector residential aged care facilities, Aboriginal health services, older people public housing, homelessness services, youth justice services, disability services and community health centres that provide refugee and asylum seeker care.

Services provided

• Eye care services
• Low-cost visual aids

Eligibility

VES is available for the following people who live in Victoria:

• holder of a current Health Care Card, or are listed on the Health Care Card as a dependent
• holder of a current Pensioner Concession Card
• holder of a current Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Gold Card
• children with Child Protection involvement for their care, such as Out of Home Care
• people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds (a further subsidy combines with the VES for the Victorian Aboriginal Spectacles Subsidy Scheme)
• people from refugee backgrounds and/or people seeking asylum.

In addition, people experiencing other types of disadvantage and barriers to accessing eyecare services may be eligible for VES. Each case that does not fit the eligibility criteria is assessed on a case by case basis by the ACO or through contact with the rural VES office.

Within the target population, VES focusses on groups that may experience difficulty accessing eyecare services.

How to access

Visit Victorian Eyecare Service - Australian College of Optometry.

The National Relay Service (NRS) is available to help callers who are d/Deaf, or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available (24 hours, 7 days) for callers who speak other languages. Call 131 450.

Costs

Concession card holders can access the VES at a reduced cost. Contact the clinic before you attend if you would like more information about cost.

Calls are charged at the cost of a local call.

Tip

• To check your eligibility, you can call the VES office on (03) 9349 7400.
• Melbourne metropolitan residents can access VES at the Australian College of Optometry's (ACO) Clinical Services Division located in Carlton, or at several other sites located in community health centres across metropolitan Melbourne. See locations closest to you.
• Rural services are provided through private practice optometrists and ophthalmologists who are subsidised by the scheme. The ACO is responsible for the management of VES rural services. See locations closest to you.

Complaints

• Australian College of Optometry – Patient Feedback
• Health Complaints Commissioner, Complaints and Information, call 1300 582 113