Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney
Cost is one of the first questions patients ask when considering eyelid surgery, and it’s a reasonable one. The honest answer is that it depends on which procedure is involved — upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty are quite different in complexity, setting, and cost. Whether Medicare applies also changes the picture significantly for upper eyelid surgery.
Dr Scott J Turner is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) with specific training in eyelid and facial surgery. He consults at his Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly, with surgery performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
Blepharoplasty Cost — 2026 Pricing
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty (cosmetic) | From $6,000 |
| Lower blepharoplasty | $9,000–$14,000 |
| Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty | Quoted individually after consultation |
| Consultation | $450 |
All figures are all-inclusive: surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation.
Lower blepharoplasty is always performed in hospital under general anaesthetic — the $9,000–$14,000 range reflects that, and covers everything. There is no separate hospital or anaesthesia invoice.
Upper blepharoplasty may be performed under local anaesthesia in selected cases, which affects the overall cost. The from $6,000 figure reflects this.
What Is Included in the Fee?
Dr Turner provides all-inclusive quotes that cover:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility fee
- Anaesthetist’s fee
- All post-operative follow-up visits
There are no separate accounts to reconcile after surgery. The quote given at consultation is the total cost.
Does Medicare Cover Blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty may attract a Medicare rebate where the procedure is performed for documented functional reasons — specifically where excess upper eyelid skin causes a measurable obstruction to the upper visual field.
What is required:
- Visual field testing from an optometrist or ophthalmologist confirming the impairment
- A GP referral documenting the functional concern
- Clinical assessment confirming the criteria are met
Where Medicare criteria are met, rebates apply under MBS item numbers for upper eyelid procedures. Where you also hold appropriate private hospital cover, your insurer may contribute to hospital costs — often the most financially significant component.
Lower blepharoplasty is not covered by Medicare under any circumstances. It is considered a cosmetic procedure regardless of the degree of concern.
Purely cosmetic upper blepharoplasty — where no documented visual field impairment exists — is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
Dr Turner will assess Medicare eligibility at the consultation and advise on the documentation required. For a full guide to eligibility and item numbers, see Will Medicare Cover My Eyelid Surgery?
What Affects the Cost?
Upper vs lower vs combined. Each has a different fee structure. Lower blepharoplasty is more involved — it is always performed in hospital, the surgical anatomy is more complex, and the risk profile is higher. Combined procedures are not simply the sum of two individual costs — there are efficiencies in combining that Dr Turner will factor into the quote.
Whether Medicare applies. For patients with a functional upper eyelid concern who meet criteria, the Medicare rebate and any private health insurance contribution can reduce the out-of-pocket cost substantially.
Surgical complexity. A straightforward upper blepharoplasty with simple skin excision has a different surgical demand than a combined upper and lower procedure, or an upper blepharoplasty combined with a brow lift. Dr Turner will outline the fee for your specific case at the consultation.
Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty — Cost Comparison
These are two quite different procedures and the cost difference reflects that.
Upper blepharoplasty is a more accessible procedure. It can be performed under local anaesthesia in selected patients and the surgical complexity is lower. The from $6,000 fee reflects this, and Medicare rebates may apply where functional criteria are met.
Lower blepharoplasty is always performed under general anaesthesia in a private hospital. The anatomy of the lower eyelid is more complex — the transconjunctival approach requires precise fat management, and the transcutaneous approach adds skin excision. The all-inclusive fee range of $9,000–$14,000 reflects the complexity and the hospital setting.
Combining Blepharoplasty with Other Procedures
Many patients combine upper blepharoplasty with a brow lift, or lower blepharoplasty with a facelift. Combining procedures means one anaesthetic, one hospital admission, and one recovery period. In most cases, combining is more cost-effective than staging procedures separately.
Dr Turner will advise on whether combining is appropriate for your anatomy and goals at the consultation. A combined quote will be provided at that point.
The Consultation
The consultation fee is $450. During the consultation, Dr Turner will:
- Assess your eyelid anatomy and the specific concern
- Advise whether upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combination is appropriate
- Assess Medicare eligibility for upper blepharoplasty where relevant
- Provide a formal all-inclusive quote specific to your case
- Outline the surgical approach, recovery, and any associated risks
The consultation fee is not deducted from the surgical quote.
AHPRA Regulatory Requirements
Under AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines (effective 1 July 2023), the following apply before cosmetic blepharoplasty can proceed:
- A referral from your GP or a specialist physician
- A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner before surgery is booked
- A psychological evaluation to confirm suitability
- A mandatory cooling-off period before formal consent is given
Where upper blepharoplasty is performed for documented functional visual field obstruction, a different regulatory pathway applies. Dr Turner’s team will confirm which requirements apply to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does blepharoplasty cost in Sydney in 2026?
Upper blepharoplasty with Dr Turner starts from $6,000 all-inclusive. Lower blepharoplasty is $9,000–$14,000 all-inclusive. All figures include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation. Where Medicare rebates apply for upper eyelid surgery, the out-of-pocket cost may be lower.
Does Medicare cover blepharoplasty?
Medicare may cover upper blepharoplasty where excess upper eyelid skin causes a documented and measurable visual field obstruction. Visual field testing from an optometrist or ophthalmologist is required, along with a GP referral. Lower blepharoplasty is not covered by Medicare under any circumstances. Purely cosmetic upper blepharoplasty without a documented functional component is also not covered.
Why does lower blepharoplasty cost more than upper?
Lower blepharoplasty involves more complex anatomy, is always performed under general anaesthetic in a private hospital, and carries a more demanding risk profile than upper eyelid surgery. The $9,000–$14,000 all-inclusive fee reflects the hospital setting and surgical complexity. Upper blepharoplasty can be performed under local anaesthesia in selected patients and involves a more straightforward approach.
What is included in the blepharoplasty fee?
Dr Turner provides all-inclusive quotes covering surgeon’s fee, hospital facility fee, anaesthetist’s fee, and all post-operative follow-up visits. There are no separate accounts for hospital or anaesthesia after surgery.
Is a combined upper and lower blepharoplasty more cost-effective?
In most cases, yes. Combining upper and lower blepharoplasty in a single operation means one anaesthetic, one hospital admission, and one recovery period rather than two separate procedures. There are efficiencies in combining that typically make the combined cost less than the sum of two individual procedures staged separately. Dr Turner will provide a combined quote at the consultation.
Related Procedures and Resources
Related procedures:
Helpful guides:
- Will Medicare Cover My Eyelid Surgery?
- Recovery After Blepharoplasty
- Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty — Which Do You Need?
Consult with Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Turner consults for blepharoplasty in Sydney at Bondi Junction and Manly. He also sees patients in Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. Surgery is performed in Sydney at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
Contact the practice to arrange a consultation, or read more about Dr Turner’s background and training.
