Daily vs Monthly Contact Lenses: What They Really Cost Per Year in Australia

Monthly lenses usually cost less per year if you wear contacts every day. At City Optics' prices on 23 October 2026, a year of popular monthlies for both eyes cost about $176–$292, plus roughly $100–$150 of solution. Popular dailies cost about $522–$864. If you only wear lenses a few days a week, dailies can cost less.

A $30 box of dailies next to a $36 box of monthlies doesn't tell you much. The boxes last different lengths of time, monthlies need solution, and how often you wear your lenses changes the maths. Below we've worked out a full year for 13 lenses using our live online prices. We show every step, so you can do the same sum for your own lens.

One thing first: your lens type is your optometrist's call, not just a price choice. Your contact lens prescription names a specific lens, so use these numbers to understand costs, not to pick a new lens yourself.

The short answer: cost per year at a glance

City Optics online prices checked 23 October 2026. Single-vision (spherical) lenses; toric and multifocal versions cost more. Monthlies and fortnightlies also need solution (see below). Prices change; check the product page.

How to read the table:

• "Lenses-only cost per year" is the price per lens × 730 for dailies, × 52 for fortnightlies and × 24 for monthlies (both eyes).
• Daily boxes come in 180s, so four boxes cover 360 days; the per-year figure covers all 365. Fortnightly 24-packs cover 48 weeks per eye; the per-year figure covers all 52 weeks.
• Bigger boxes already cost less per lens on most lenses, and that's built into the price. For example, Acuvue Moist in 30-packs ($29.75, $0.99 per lens) comes to $723.92 a year, compared with $635.67 using 180-packs. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde in 3-packs ($35.99, $12.00 per lens) comes to $287.92 a year, compared with $239.86 using 12-packs.

How we worked it out (so you can do your own lens)

You only need three numbers: the box price, the number of lenses in the box and how often the lens is replaced.

1. Lenses per year, per eye. Daily: 365. Fortnightly: 26. Monthly: 12. For both eyes, double it.

2. Price per lens. Box price ÷ lenses in the box. Each box is for one eye. Our product pages say "30 lenses = ~1 month per eye" for dailies and "3 lenses = ~3 months per eye" for monthlies. Left and right eyes are ordered separately on the product page, and there's a "Same prescription for both eyes" option.

3. Annual cost. Price per lens × lenses needed for both eyes.

Worked example 1: a daily lens. Acuvue Moist 1-Day 180-pack: $156.74 ÷ 180 = $0.871 per lens. × 730 lenses = $635.67 a year for both eyes. In whole boxes, four 180-packs (two per eye) cost $626.96 and last 360 days.

Worked example 2: a monthly lens. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde 12-pack: $119.93. One box per eye lasts 12 months, so two boxes = $239.86 a year.

Worked example 3: a fortnightly lens. Acuvue Oasys (2-week) 24-pack: $129.95 ÷ 24 = $5.415 per lens. × 52 lenses = $281.56 a year. In whole boxes, two 24-packs cost $259.90 and cover 48 weeks.

To run the numbers on another lens, compare lens costs across our contact lens range.

Don't forget solution (monthlies and fortnightlies)

Reusable lenses need cleaning and storing between wears. Daily disposables are thrown out after each use, so they need no solution or case.

Optometry Australia puts it plainly: "Lens cleaning and disinfection is an extremely important step in maintaining reusable lenses because contact lenses become dirty every time you wear them." It also advises against using "tap water, saliva or unpreserved saline to wash your contact lenses".

What solution costs. The Renu Fresh Multi-Purpose Solution Value Pack 830mL (2 × 355mL bottles, a 120mL travel bottle and a lens case) is $24.99 at City Optics. We estimate one wearer of reusable lenses uses 4–6 packs a year, which is $99.96–$149.94, or about $100–$150 a year. That's our estimate based on Renu's price, not a fixed City Optics price, and your own use will vary.

Other contact lens solutions at City Optics on 23 October 2026:

Peroxide systems such as AOSEPT PLUS work differently from multi-purpose solutions, so use only the solution your optometrist recommends.

Lens case. Optometry Australia says: "You should clean your lens case every day, leave it to dry upside down, and replace it every three months." The Renu value pack includes a case. For more, see how to care for your contact lenses.

Daily vs monthly: total yearly cost compared

Once you add solution, here's the full picture for everyday wear, both eyes:

Within one brand family:

• Acuvue Oasys 1-Day (daily): $857.71 a year, no solution.
• Acuvue Oasys (2-week, fortnightly): $281.56 a year, plus solution (estimated $99.96–$149.94).

For everyday wear, reusable lenses cost less per year even after solution. Keep in mind these are different lenses made of different materials with different wear schedules. Which one suits your eyes is something to decide with your optometrist.

If you don't wear contacts every day

You only use dailies on the days you wear them. Reusable lenses are replaced on the schedule your optometrist gives you, whether or not you wore them every day. So for part-time wearers the numbers change.

Dailies, both eyes, using the 180-pack price per lens. City Optics online prices checked 23 October 2026.

Wear days per year: 365, 260, 156 and 52, × 2 eyes × price per lens.

Monthlies for comparison: Acuvue Vita $176.38 (or Air Optix plus HydraGlyde $239.86) for lenses, plus solution. That's about the same however many days you wear them.

The takeaway: if you wear lenses only some days of the week, for sport, weekends or going out, dailies can cost about the same as or less than monthlies plus solution. Where that point falls depends on your lens and how much solution you use.

Please don't stretch reusable lenses past their replacement schedule to save money. Optometry Australia notes that "Contact lenses do not last forever and replacing lenses regularly reduces the risk of complications and infections."

Price isn't the only difference

• Routine. Dailies: "throw out after each use", with no cleaning or case. Reusables: "Rub, rinse and store lenses after every wear", plus daily case care (Optometry Australia).
• Fit and prescription. Your optometrist chooses your lens based on fit, eye health, prescription and lifestyle. Read more about contact lens fitting.
• Astigmatism and multifocal lenses. Astigmatism (toric) lenses and multifocal contact lenses cost more than the single-vision lenses above, in both daily and reusable types.
• Sleeping in lenses. Don't, unless your optometrist advises otherwise (Optometry Australia).

Browse daily contact lenses, fortnightly contact lenses and monthly contact lenses. If you're still weighing contacts against specs, see contact lenses vs glasses.

Ways to pay less, whatever lens you wear

• Buy the larger box where it's lower per lens, and check each product. On most lenses the largest box costs the least per lens. For example, Acuvue Moist is $0.99 per lens in a 30-pack and $0.87 in a 180-pack. That isn't always true, though. On 23 October 2026, Biofinity was $12.09 per lens in a 3-pack ($36.27), compared with $12.18 in a 12-pack ($146.21).
• Order a year's supply at once. Standard delivery in Australia is free on orders of $100 and over and $14.99 under $100, and a year's supply usually clears $100. See our delivery terms.
• Use your health fund. In store, you can claim contact lenses on the spot with HICAPS, with no-gap options available with all major health funds, depending on your cover and limits. Online orders come with claim-ready invoices you can send to your fund. See health fund claiming.
• Know the GST rules. Powered (prescription) contact lenses are GST-free. Plano coloured or cosmetic lenses attract GST.
• Ask for a Price Match. Contact lenses are covered by Price Match online and a 5% price beat in store. Alcon contact lenses are eligible for Price Match instead of the 5% price beat. The competitor's price must be advertised and for the same pack, quantity and basket total. Ask before you buy; final eligibility is reviewed by City Optics. See the Price Match terms.

Before you switch: what you need

A current contact lens prescription. A glasses prescription isn't enough. As our product pages note, "Your glasses prescription may not include the base curve, diameter, or lens brand needed for contact lenses." If you only have a glasses prescription, our glasses to contact lens converter can estimate a starting power, which you then check with your optometrist.

A conversation with your optometrist. Moving from monthlies to dailies, or the other way, means a different lens. Your optometrist will confirm any fitting costs, and switching lens type may need a refit.

An eye test, if you're due. Eye tests are bulk-billed for Medicare card holders. Without Medicare, an eye test is $70, or $35 when you buy glasses at the same visit.

FAQs

Are daily or monthly contact lenses cheaper?

For everyday wear, monthlies and fortnightlies usually cost less per year, even after you add solution. Dailies cost more per lens because you use a new pair each day. At City Optics' 23 October 2026 prices, monthlies plus solution came to about $276–$442 a year, compared with about $522–$864 for dailies.

How much do contact lenses cost per year in Australia?

It depends on the lens and how often you wear it. At City Optics' prices on 23 October 2026, a year of everyday wear for both eyes ranged from about $176 (Acuvue Vita, monthly) to about $864 (Dailies Total1, daily), lenses only. Reusable lenses also need solution, which we estimate at about $100–$150 a year.

Are dailies cheaper if I only wear contacts sometimes?

Often, yes. You only use dailies on the days you wear them, while reusable lenses are replaced on schedule however often you wear them. For example, Acuvue Moist 1-Day worn three days a week costs about $272 a year for both eyes, compared with about $276–$326 for Acuvue Vita monthlies plus solution ($176.38 for lenses and an estimated $99.96–$149.94 for solution).

How much contact lens solution do I need, and what does it cost?

We estimate one wearer of reusable lenses uses 4–6 Renu Fresh 830mL value packs a year. At $24.99 a pack, that's about $100–$150 a year ($99.96–$149.94). This is an estimate, so your own use may differ. Daily disposables don't need solution. Use the solution your optometrist recommends.

Is it better to have daily or monthly contacts?

There's no single answer. The right lens depends on your eyes, your prescription and how you wear contacts, and your optometrist makes that call. Dailies are thrown out after each use. Reusable lenses need rubbing, rinsing and storing after every wear, plus case care. Cost is one factor to talk through with your optometrist.

Can I switch from monthly to daily lenses to save money?

Not by yourself. A contact lens prescription names a specific lens, so changing type or brand needs your optometrist. Your optometrist will confirm any fitting costs, and switching lens type may need a refit. Raise it at your next check-up if you'd like to compare options.

Is a bigger box always better value?

Usually, but not always. On most lenses the largest box has the lowest price per lens. For example, Acuvue Moist is $0.99 per lens in a 30-pack and $0.87 in a 180-pack. On 23 October 2026, though, Biofinity's 3-pack ($12.09 per lens) was slightly lower than its 12-pack ($12.18 per lens). Check each product.

Can I claim contact lenses on my health fund?

Depending on your cover and limits, yes. In City Optics stores you can claim contact lenses on the spot with HICAPS, with no-gap options available with all major health funds. Online orders come with claim-ready invoices you can send to your fund. Check your cover with your fund.

Do contact lenses include GST?

Powered (prescription) contact lenses are GST-free. Plano coloured or cosmetic lenses, which have no prescription power, attract GST. If you're comparing prices, check whether the lens you're looking at is a powered lens or a plano cosmetic lens.

Can I use my glasses prescription to order contact lenses?

No. You need a current contact lens prescription. A glasses prescription may not include the base curve, diameter or lens brand needed for contact lenses. Our glasses to contact lens converter can estimate a starting power, but check the result with your optometrist before you order.

What's the average cost of a contact lens?

Per lens, at City Optics' 23 October 2026 prices (largest box), dailies cost about $0.72–$1.18 each and monthlies about $7.35–$12.18 each. Fortnightlies were about $4.82–$5.41 each. You use far more dailies a year, so compare annual costs rather than per-lens prices.

Compare lens costs and order online

City Optics is an optometrist-owned independent with four NSW stores (Penrith Westfield, Wetherill Park, Nepean Village and Kotara) and delivery Australia-wide.

Compare lens costs and order online Order with your current contact lens prescription. Free standard delivery on orders of $100 and over.

Found a lower advertised price? Ask for a Price Match before you buy Same pack, quantity and basket total; Price Match online, 5% in store (Alcon: Price Match). Request before purchase; eligibility reviewed by City Optics.

Thinking of switching lens type? Find out about eye tests Bulk-billed for Medicare card holders; $70 without Medicare, or $35 when you buy glasses at the same visit.