In Australia, safety glasses are governed by AS/NZS 1337, the standard covering eye and face protection for occupational use. Compliant eyewear is impact-rated, marked with its manufacturer and rating, and built to shield your eyes from flying particles, splashes and debris. Understanding safety glasses standards in Australia helps you choose protection matched to the actual hazard rather than guessing at the shop.
What does AS/NZS 1337 actually mean?
AS/NZS 1337 is the joint Australian and New Zealand standard for personal eye protection. Genuine safety glasses tested to it carry permanent markings on the lens or frame, usually including the maker's identifier and an impact-rating symbol.
The impact ratings you'll see most often are medium impact and high impact. Medium impact suits general workshop and garden tasks, while high impact is designed for grinding, hammering and power-tool work where particles fly fast and hard.
If a pair of glasses carries no marking at all, treat it as fashion eyewear, not protection. Only rated products belong in a workshop, and you'll find dependable options across our tools and hardware range.
Why does the lens rating matter so much?
The rating tells you how much energy a lens can absorb before it fails. A high-impact lens is tested against a fast-moving projectile, so it holds up when an angle grinder throws sparks or a nail head shatters.
Lower-rated or unrated lenses can crack or shatter on impact, sending fragments toward the very eyes they're meant to guard. That's why matching the rating to the task is the single most important decision you'll make.
As a rule of thumb: light dust and splashes need medium impact, while anything involving metal, masonry or high-speed tools needs high impact.
Do I need side protection?
Wraparound frames and integrated side shields stop debris that flies in from an angle, which basic flat lenses miss entirely. For grinding, mowing and whipper-snipping, side coverage is essential rather than optional.
If you wear prescription glasses, look for over-the-glasses (OTG) safety frames that fit comfortably over your everyday lenses without pressure points.
Which lens tint suits which job?
Tint affects how clearly you see the hazard in front of you, so it's a safety feature, not just comfort. Clear lenses are the everyday default for indoor and shaded work, while tinted lenses cut glare outdoors.
Choosing the wrong tint can be as dangerous as no protection, because squinting into glare or straining in a dark shed both cause mistakes. Match the lens to the light you'll actually work in.
| Lens type | Best for | Avoid when |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Indoor work, workshops, general DIY, low light | Working in bright direct sun |
| Smoke / grey tint | Outdoor mowing, brush cutting, bright glare | Indoors or dim sheds |
| Amber / yellow | Low-light and overcast conditions, boosting contrast | Bright sunny days |
| Mirrored | Intense reflected glare, open sunny sites | Any indoor or shaded task |
What about fit, coatings and comfort?
The best-rated glasses in the world do nothing sitting on the bench. Comfort is what keeps them on your face all day, so look for adjustable arms, a soft nose bridge and a wraparound shape that suits your head.
Anti-fog coatings are worth having if you work in humid conditions, move between temperatures, or sweat under a helmet. Anti-scratch coatings extend lens life when glasses share a toolbox with metal offcuts.
Ventilated frames reduce fogging naturally, while foam-gasket goggles seal out fine dust for sanding and demolition. Pick the style that matches your most frequent task.
Which eye protection suits which person?
The occasional DIYer sanding a deck needs a comfortable medium-impact pair with clear lenses. Someone running an angle grinder every weekend should step up to high-impact wraparounds, and add a face shield for heavy cutting.
Gardeners and mowing contractors benefit from smoke-tinted, high-impact glasses that handle both glare and flying debris. Tradies working across changing sites often keep two pairs, one clear and one tinted, so they're never caught out.
Whatever the job, protecting your eyes sits alongside caring for the rest of you. After a dusty day it's worth washing up properly with a gentle option like this goats milk hand wash, and keeping a lens-friendly cloth nearby for a clean finish.
How do I care for safety glasses so they last?
Rinse lenses under clean water first to lift grit, then dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Wiping dry lenses covered in dust drags particles across the coating and scratches it, which is the fastest way to ruin a good pair.
Store them in a pouch or hard case rather than loose in a toolbox where they'll get gouged. Replace any pair with deep scratches, crazing or cracks, because a compromised lens no longer meets its rating.
Checking your gear in good light helps you spot fine damage early, and a well-lit space such as a bench beside an LED magnifying mirror makes inspecting lenses and your eyes for stray specks far easier.
How often should I replace them?
There's no fixed calendar date, but replace safety glasses whenever the lens is scratched enough to blur your view, the frame is warped, or the arms no longer hold a snug fit. Cheap to replace, expensive to skip.
Rounding out your safety kit
Eye protection works best as part of a wider routine of good habits and well-kept gear. Keep spare pairs where you'll actually reach for them, match the rating to the job every time, and swap damaged lenses without hesitation.
Comfort-focused accessories, from adjustable frames to a soft cleaning cloth, live happily alongside grooming and self-care picks in our fashion and beauty range, so it's easy to round out your workshop and bathroom shelf in one browse. Protect your eyes properly and every other job on the list gets safer.
Frequently asked questions
Are all safety glasses sold in Australia required to meet AS/NZS 1337?
Genuine occupational eye protection should be tested and marked to AS/NZS 1337. Always check for a permanent impact-rating marking on the lens or frame. Unmarked eyewear is fashion glasses, not protection, and should never be relied on for grinding, mowing or any task that throws debris.
What is the difference between medium impact and high impact safety glasses?
Medium impact suits general workshop, garden and DIY tasks with light dust or splashes. High impact is tested against faster, harder projectiles and is the right choice for grinding, hammering, masonry and power-tool work. When in doubt, choose the higher rating for better protection.
Can I wear safety glasses over my prescription glasses?
Yes. Look for over-the-glasses (OTG) safety frames designed to fit comfortably over everyday prescription lenses without pressure points. Alternatively, some brands offer prescription-compatible safety eyewear. The key is that the protective lenses still carry a valid AS/NZS 1337 impact rating.
Why do my safety glasses keep fogging up and how can I stop it?
Fogging happens when warm, humid air meets a cooler lens, common under helmets or in changing temperatures. Choose glasses with an anti-fog coating and ventilated frames, keep lenses clean, and avoid touching them with dirty fingers. A quick rinse and soft-cloth dry between tasks also helps keep vision clear.
