The cost of rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly asked questions at an initial consultation — and one of the harder ones to answer without knowing what the surgery involves. Rhinoplasty is not a single procedure with a single price. It ranges from relatively targeted operations like tip rhinoplasty through to complex revision cases that require rebuilding structure from scratch. What you pay reflects what your nose needs, not a standard menu.
This guide breaks down the components of rhinoplasty cost in Sydney, what affects the total price, how Medicare and private health insurance may apply, and what to expect at Dr Turner’s practice. If you’d like to understand what the procedure itself involves before considering costs, see the rhinoplasty page.
What Goes Into the Total Cost of Rhinoplasty?
The total cost of rhinoplasty is made up of several distinct components. Understanding each one helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises.
Surgeon’s fee — the largest variable in the total cost. Reflects the surgeon’s training, subspecialty experience, and the complexity of your specific procedure. A tip rhinoplasty and a full revision rhinoplasty are entirely different operations, and the fee reflects that.
Anaesthesia fee — rhinoplasty is always performed under general anaesthetic. A specialist anaesthetist’s fee is charged separately and varies with the length and complexity of the procedure.
Hospital facility fee — covers use of the operating theatre, nursing staff, recovery room, and any overnight stay. Private hospital fees vary between facilities.
Post-operative care — follow-up appointments, splint removal, and ongoing monitoring throughout recovery. At Dr Turner’s practice, follow-up visits are included in the quoted cost.
Consultation fee — the initial consultation with Dr Turner is $450.
Rhinoplasty Procedure Costs at Dr Turner’s Practice
Pricing at Dr Turner’s practice varies by procedure type. The figures below are all-inclusive — surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits.
Tip Rhinoplasty
Tip rhinoplasty focuses on reshaping the nasal tip only — addressing a bulbous, drooping, or asymmetric tip without changing the bridge or overall nasal structure. It is one of the more targeted rhinoplasty procedures.
Cost: $13,500 all-inclusive
Tip rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure and is not eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance benefit.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
A full cosmetic rhinoplasty addresses the nose more comprehensively — dorsal hump reduction, nasal tip reshaping, bridge width, nasal bones, and overall proportion. It is more involved than tip rhinoplasty and suited to patients with multiple concerns or more significant structural changes to address.
Cost: $18,000–$26,000 all-inclusive
All figures include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance benefit. A formal quote is provided after consultation.
Primary Functional Rhinoplasty / Septorhinoplasty
A full primary rhinoplasty — which may address the dorsum, tip, nasal bones, and septum — is more involved than tip rhinoplasty. Where a deviated septum is being corrected at the same time (septorhinoplasty), Medicare rebates may apply to the functional component where clinical criteria are met.
Cost: $11,500–$18,000 all-inclusive
The range reflects variation in surgical complexity, operating time, and whether functional components qualify for rebates. All figures include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and follow-up visits. A formal quote is provided after consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed.
Revision Rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty is secondary nose surgery to address an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous procedure. It is among the most technically demanding operations in plastic surgery — altered anatomy, scar tissue, and depleted cartilage all add time and complexity. The cost range is wider because no two revision cases are alike.
Cost: $18,000–$26,000 all-inclusive
All figures include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and follow-up visits. A formal quote is provided after consultation. You may be eligible for Medicare and private health insurance rebates for revision rhinoplasty where functional criteria are met.
See revision rhinoplasty for more detail on what makes secondary rhinoplasty different from a primary procedure.
What Affects the Cost of Rhinoplasty?
Within each category, several factors push costs toward the lower or higher end of the range:
Complexity of the structural changes required. A nose requiring dorsal reduction, tip reshaping, and osteotomy (bone cuts to narrow the nasal bones) takes longer and is more technically involved than one requiring a single change.
Open vs closed approach. Open rhinoplasty — used for more complex cases — involves greater dissection and operating time than a closed approach.
Whether functional and cosmetic goals are combined. Septorhinoplasty (combining cosmetic rhinoplasty with functional septoplasty) is more complex than either procedure alone, but is generally more cost-efficient than two separate operations.
Cartilage grafting requirements. Some rhinoplasty cases require cartilage grafts for structural support or augmentation. In most cases, septal cartilage is the primary source. Where that is insufficient — as can occur in revision cases — ear or rib cartilage may be needed, which adds to operating time and complexity.
Previous surgery. Revision rhinoplasty is consistently more expensive than primary rhinoplasty because of the additional surgical challenge involved.
Medicare and Rhinoplasty — What May Be Covered
Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by Medicare. Where rhinoplasty includes a functional component that meets clinical criteria, a partial rebate may apply.
Septoplasty (Medicare item 41671) — may apply where a deviated septum is causing clinically documented nasal obstruction. A GP referral is required, and the clinical notes must include photographic or NOSE Scale evidence of the functional need.
Functional rhinoplasty item numbers — items 45632, 45635, 45641, and 45644 cover partial and total rhinoplasty where performed for functional indications. Eligibility depends on clinical findings and documented criteria.
Important points to understand:
- The rebate applies to the surgical component only. Anaesthesia fees and hospital costs are out-of-pocket regardless of Medicare eligibility.
- Where functional rhinoplasty meets Medicare criteria, private health insurance may cover the private hospital component.
- A gap payment is expected in most cases even where Medicare and private health insurance both apply.
- Dr Turner will advise on likely Medicare eligibility and out-of-pocket costs at consultation.
For a detailed explanation of Medicare eligibility for nose surgery, see Will Medicare Cover My Nose Surgery?
For full detail on functional rhinoplasty and the procedures it covers, see functional rhinoplasty.
Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance does not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty. Where the procedure is deemed medically necessary and meets Medicare eligibility criteria, private health insurance may cover the private hospital fee in full — this is often the most meaningful financial benefit of holding private hospital cover for surgical procedures.
The surgeon’s fee and anaesthetist’s fee are charged at rates above the Medicare Benefits Schedule, resulting in a gap payment regardless of insurance status. The size of that gap will be discussed and documented before you consent to surgery.
AHPRA Regulatory Requirements
Under AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines (effective 1 July 2023), the following apply before any cosmetic rhinoplasty can proceed:
- A referral from your GP or a specialist physician
- A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner
- A psychological evaluation to confirm suitability
- A mandatory cooling-off period before formal consent is given
These requirements apply to all cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia and cannot be bypassed. Standalone functional septoplasty follows a different regulatory pathway — Dr Turner’s team will clarify which requirements apply to your situation.
Getting a Quote
Pricing for rhinoplasty cannot be confirmed without a consultation. The surgical plan — and therefore the cost — depends on your specific anatomy, the changes required, and whether functional components are involved.
At the end of your consultation with Dr Turner, a formal itemised quote is provided covering all cost components. This allows you to understand exactly what you are being charged for before making any decision to proceed.
Consultation fee: $450
Contact the practice to arrange a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rhinoplasty cost in Sydney in 2026?
Rhinoplasty costs in Sydney vary by procedure type and complexity. Tip rhinoplasty starts from $13,500 all-inclusive at Dr Turner’s practice. Full cosmetic rhinoplasty ranges from $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive. Primary functional rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty typically ranges from $11,500 to $18,000 all-inclusive depending on what is involved. Revision rhinoplasty ranges from $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive given the additional surgical complexity. All quoted figures at Dr Turner’s practice include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed.
Does Medicare cover rhinoplasty surgery in Australia?
Medicare does not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty. A partial rebate may apply where rhinoplasty or septoplasty is performed for a documented functional reason — such as a deviated septum causing meaningful nasal obstruction. The relevant item numbers include 41671 for septoplasty and 45641/45644 for total rhinoplasty performed for functional indications. A GP referral is required and clinical criteria must be documented. The anaesthesia and hospital fees remain out-of-pocket regardless, and a gap payment is typically expected even where a rebate applies.
What is the difference between tip rhinoplasty and full rhinoplasty in terms of cost?
Tip rhinoplasty addresses only the nasal tip — its shape, definition, or projection — without changing the bridge or nasal bones. It is a more targeted operation and costs $13,500 all-inclusive at Dr Turner’s practice. Full cosmetic rhinoplasty addresses the nose more comprehensively — dorsal hump, nasal bones, tip, and overall proportion — and ranges from $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive. Functional rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty, where Medicare rebates may apply to the functional component, ranges from $11,500 to $18,000. Revision rhinoplasty, which addresses the outcomes of a previous nose procedure, ranges from $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive due to surgical complexity.
Why does revision rhinoplasty cost more than primary rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty is more technically demanding than primary rhinoplasty. A previous procedure leaves altered anatomy, scar tissue, and often depleted cartilage — the primary structural material used in rhinoplasty. Where septal cartilage is insufficient, alternative graft sources such as ear or rib cartilage may be required, adding operating time and complexity. At Dr Turner’s practice, revision rhinoplasty ranges from $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive. The greater surgical challenge, longer operating time, and increased complexity contribute to higher costs compared to a primary procedure.
Is the consultation fee included in the cost of surgery?
The consultation fee of $450 is charged at the time of consultation and is not deducted from the surgical quote. A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner are required before any cosmetic rhinoplasty can proceed under AHPRA guidelines. The formal surgical quote provided after consultation covers surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all post-operative follow-up visits as an all-inclusive figure.
By Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney Clinic | DrTurner.com.au
