Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney
The cost of rhinoplasty in Sydney is one of the most common questions raised at initial consultation, and one of the harder ones to answer in a single number. Rhinoplasty is not one procedure with one price. It ranges from targeted operations such as tip rhinoplasty and alarplasty, through to comprehensive cosmetic rhinoplasty, functional rhinoplasty for breathing problems, and complex revision rhinoplasty where structure must be rebuilt. What you pay reflects what your nose needs, not a fixed menu price.
This guide explains the cost framework across every rhinoplasty procedure at Dr Turner’s practice, what affects the total price, where Medicare and private health insurance may apply, and what to expect from the formal quote process. Dr Scott Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS, AHPRA MED0001654827) consulting at Bondi Junction and Manly. The full nose surgery overview covers what each procedure involves.
What’s included in the total cost of rhinoplasty?
The total cost has several components. Understanding each one helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises.
| Cost component | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Surgeon’s fee | The largest variable. Reflects the surgeon’s training, subspecialty experience, operating time, and the complexity of your specific procedure |
| Anaesthesia fee | Rhinoplasty is always performed under general anaesthesia by a specialist anaesthetist. Charged separately, varies with case length and complexity |
| Hospital facility fee | Operating theatre, nursing staff, recovery room, overnight stay where required. Varies between accredited private hospitals |
| Post-operative care | Follow-up appointments, splint removal, ongoing monitoring through recovery. Included in the surgical quote at Dr Turner’s practice |
| Consultation fee | $450 at initial consultation, charged separately from the surgical quote |
At Dr Turner’s practice, quoted surgical figures are all-inclusive: surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up visits combined into a single confirmed figure.
Rhinoplasty cost summary (Dr Turner’s practice, 2026)
The table below summarises cost ranges for each procedure type. Detailed framework, Medicare pathway, and what affects cost within each range is in the sections below.
| Procedure | Cost range (all-inclusive) | Medicare pathway | Private health insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Rhinoplasty | From $18,600 | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Tip Rhinoplasty | $13,950 to $18,600 | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Functional Rhinoplasty | Self-funded approx. $17,600 to $27,000; materially lower where Medicare and insurance apply | MBS items 45641 and 41671 where criteria met | Covers hospital fee where Medicare applies (excess only) |
| Septoplasty | Self-funded approx. $18,200; materially lower where Medicare and insurance apply | MBS item 41671 where criteria met | Covers hospital fee where Medicare applies (excess only) |
| Revision Rhinoplasty | $18,600 to $37,200 | MBS item 45650 where functional criteria met | Covers hospital fee where Medicare applies (excess only) |
| Ethnic Rhinoplasty | $18,600 to $27,900 | Not eligible (cosmetic) | Not eligible |
| Alarplasty | In rooms $6,000; in hospital approx. $9,300 standalone; approx. $4,650 as a rhinoplasty add-on | Not eligible | Not eligible |
Consultation fee: $450, separate from the surgical quote.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty cost
Full cosmetic rhinoplasty addresses the nose comprehensively (dorsal hump reduction, nasal tip reshaping, bridge width, nasal bones, overall proportion). It is more involved than tip rhinoplasty and suited to patients with multiple concerns or significant structural changes.
Cost: from $18,600 all-inclusive for a typical two-hour procedure. More complex cases involving extensive structural work and longer operating time run higher. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance. The position within the range reflects surgical complexity, operating time, whether osteotomies are required, and grafting requirements.
Tip rhinoplasty cost
Tip rhinoplasty focuses on the nasal tip only (bulbous, drooping, asymmetric, or under-projected tip), without changing the bridge or osteotomies of the nasal bones. It is one of the more targeted rhinoplasty procedures.
Cost: $13,950 to $18,600 all-inclusive. Not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance. The position within the range reflects whether cartilage grafting is required and the extent of tip restructuring planned.
Functional rhinoplasty cost
Functional rhinoplasty addresses structural breathing problems (nasal valve collapse, post-traumatic deformity, post-rhinoplasty obstruction) using cartilage grafts to restore airway support. It is the procedure most likely to attract Medicare contribution where clinical criteria are met. Functional rhinoplasty often combines two MBS items where both the nasal framework and the septum are corrected: 45641 (total rhinoplasty) and 41671 (septoplasty).
Cost framework:
| Pathway | Out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Self-funded (no Medicare eligibility) | approx. $17,600 to $27,000 all-inclusive |
| With Medicare (MBS 45641, with 41671 where the septum is corrected) plus private health insurance covering hospital | materially lower, indicatively around $13,000 to $19,600 |
Where Medicare criteria are met (documented airway obstruction, GP referral, NOSE score over 45), the cost structure changes: private health insurance with appropriate hospital cover meets the hospital fee, so you pay only your fund excess, and Medicare provides a partial rebate on the surgeon and anaesthetist fees. The insured figure is indicative and is confirmed in your written quote after consultation.
Septoplasty cost
Septoplasty corrects a deviated nasal septum (the cartilage and bone wall separating the two nasal passages). It is a structural breathing operation and the most common Medicare-pathway nose procedure.
Cost framework:
| Pathway | Out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Self-funded (no Medicare eligibility) | approx. $18,200 all-inclusive |
| With Medicare (MBS 41671) plus private health insurance covering hospital | materially lower, indicatively around $13,600 |
Medicare eligibility under MBS item 41671 requires documented septal deviation causing clinical obstruction, with GP referral and NOSE Scale or equivalent documentation. Where eligible, insurance covers the hospital fee (you pay only your fund excess) and Medicare rebates the surgeon and anaesthetist fees. The insured figure is indicative and confirmed at consultation.
Revision rhinoplasty cost
Revision rhinoplasty addresses an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous nose 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 the widest in the cluster because no two revision cases are alike.
Cost: $18,600 to $37,200 all-inclusive. Where the revision requires cadaveric (donor) rib cartilage, add approximately $3,000 where the patient is uninsured and not Medicare-eligible. Where the revision is correcting documented functional obstruction (such as nasal valve collapse from previous surgery), a Medicare contribution may apply under MBS item 45650, and private health insurance may cover the hospital fee. Where the revision is purely aesthetic, no Medicare or insurance contribution applies.
Ethnic rhinoplasty cost
Ethnic rhinoplasty addresses cosmetic concerns specific to Middle Eastern, Asian, African, Mediterranean, Indian, or other non-Caucasian nasal anatomy. It often involves alar base reduction, dorsal augmentation, tip restructuring, and culturally-appropriate planning that preserves heritage features.
Cost: $18,600 to $27,900 all-inclusive. Not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance as a cosmetic procedure. Position within the range depends on whether alar base reduction, augmentation grafting, or functional components are part of the surgical plan.
Alarplasty cost
Alarplasty (nostril or alar base reduction) addresses wide nostrils or excessive alar flare through small incisions at the nostril base. It is one of the more targeted nose procedures and may be performed standalone or combined with rhinoplasty.
Cost depends on the setting and whether it is standalone or part of a wider plan:
- In rooms, under local anaesthesia: $6,000
- In hospital, as a standalone procedure: approximately $9,300
- As an add-on to a wider rhinoplasty: approximately $4,650
Alarplasty performed for cosmetic reasons is not eligible for Medicare or private health insurance. The final figure is confirmed at consultation once the surgical plan and setting are decided.
What affects the cost within each range?
Within each procedure category, several factors push position within the cost range:
- Structural complexity: Dorsal reduction, tip reshaping, osteotomies, and septal correction combined take longer than a single-area procedure
- Open vs closed approach: Open rhinoplasty (used for more complex cases) involves greater dissection and operating time than a closed approach
- Combined functional and cosmetic goals: Septorhinoplasty combines functional septoplasty with cosmetic rhinoplasty, more complex than either alone but more cost-efficient than two separate operations
- Cartilage grafting requirements: Most cases use septal cartilage; where insufficient (often in revision), ear or rib cartilage harvest adds operating time
- Previous surgery: Revision is consistently more expensive than primary rhinoplasty due to surgical challenge
- Time in theatre: Anaesthesia and hospital costs both scale with operating time
Medicare and rhinoplasty
Cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by Medicare. Where rhinoplasty addresses a documented functional indication, partial Medicare contribution may apply under specific MBS items.
| MBS item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 41671 | Septoplasty for documented septal deviation causing obstruction |
| 45641 | Total rhinoplasty (bone and cartilage) using cartilage from a local source, where documented airway obstruction criteria are met (NOSE score over 45) |
| 45644 | Total rhinoplasty using cartilage from a distant donor source, where documented airway obstruction criteria are met (NOSE score over 45) |
| 45650 | Revision rhinoplasty where documented airway obstruction criteria are met (NOSE score over 45) |
Eligibility depends on clinical findings and documented criteria. Important points:
- The rebate applies to the surgical component only. Anaesthesia and hospital costs are out-of-pocket regardless of Medicare eligibility
- Where Medicare criteria are met, private health insurance with appropriate hospital cover may pay the private hospital component in full
- A gap payment is expected in most cases even where Medicare and private health insurance both apply
- Dr Turner advises on likely Medicare eligibility and out-of-pocket cost at consultation
For detailed Medicare framework, see Will Medicare cover my rhinoplasty?.
Private health insurance
Private health insurance does not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty. Where the procedure is medically necessary and meets Medicare eligibility, private health insurance with appropriate hospital cover may pay the private hospital fee in full, which 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 is discussed and documented before formal consent.
Medical Board and AHPRA requirements
Before any cosmetic rhinoplasty proceeds, Medical Board and AHPRA requirements apply:
- A referral from your GP or a specialist physician
- A minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner (the second confirms the surgical plan and the formal quote)
- A psychological assessment where indicated by validated screening
- A 7-day cooling-off period before formal surgical consent for adult patients
These requirements apply to all cosmetic surgical procedures in Australia and cannot be bypassed. Standalone functional septoplasty for documented airway obstruction follows a different regulatory pathway. Dr Turner’s team clarifies which requirements apply to your situation at consultation.
Getting a formal quote
Pricing cannot be confirmed without consultation. The surgical plan, and therefore the cost, depends on your specific anatomy, the changes required, and whether functional components are involved.
At the conclusion of your consultation, a formal itemised quote covering all cost components is provided. This allows you to understand exactly what is being charged before making any decision to proceed. Consultation fee: $450.
To arrange a consultation, contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rhinoplasty cost in Sydney in 2026?
Rhinoplasty cost in Sydney depends on procedure type and complexity. At Dr Turner’s practice, cosmetic rhinoplasty is from $18,600 all-inclusive; tip rhinoplasty $13,950 to $18,600; functional rhinoplasty (septorhinoplasty) approximately $17,600 to $27,000 self-funded, and materially lower where Medicare and private health insurance apply; septoplasty approximately $18,200 self-funded on the same basis; revision rhinoplasty $18,600 to $37,200 depending on complexity; ethnic rhinoplasty $18,600 to $27,900. All figures are all-inclusive (surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, follow-up). Consultation fee is $450, separate from the surgical quote. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation.
Why is revision rhinoplasty more expensive than primary rhinoplasty?
Revision rhinoplasty is the most technically demanding nose surgery because the previous procedure has altered the anatomy, left scar tissue, and often depleted the septal cartilage normally used for grafting. Where septal cartilage is insufficient, ear (conchal), rib (costal), or donor rib cartilage is used, adding operating time and complexity. The wider $18,600 to $37,200 range reflects this variability: a minor revision adjustment may sit at the lower end, while a major structural rebuild sits at the upper end, with donor rib cartilage adding approximately $3,000 where the patient is uninsured and not Medicare-eligible. Where the revision corrects documented functional obstruction, Medicare (item 45650) and private health insurance may contribute and reduce the out-of-pocket cost.
What’s included in the all-inclusive surgical quote?
At Dr Turner’s practice, an all-inclusive surgical quote covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital facility fee (including operating theatre and any overnight stay), and all post-operative follow-up visits through recovery. The figure quoted is the figure paid for surgery. The $450 consultation fee is charged separately at the time of consultation and is not part of the surgical quote. Where Medicare applies, the Medicare rebate is processed against the surgeon’s fee.
Can private health insurance cover any part of cosmetic rhinoplasty?
No. Private health insurance does not cover cosmetic rhinoplasty, tip rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, or alarplasty when performed for purely cosmetic reasons. Insurance coverage requires the procedure to be medically necessary and to meet Medicare eligibility under a functional MBS item. Where this applies (such as functional rhinoplasty for nasal valve collapse, septoplasty for documented septal deviation, or revision rhinoplasty correcting functional obstruction), private health insurance with appropriate hospital cover may pay the private hospital fee in full. The surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s gap payments still apply.
Is the consultation fee deducted from the surgical quote?
No. The $450 consultation fee is charged at the time of consultation and is not deducted from the surgical quote. A minimum of two consultations is required before any cosmetic rhinoplasty proceeds under Medical Board and AHPRA requirements, with each consultation charged at the standard fee. The formal surgical quote provided after consultation is for the surgical procedure itself, all-inclusive of surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and post-operative follow-up.
Schedule a consultation with Dr Turner
A formal itemised quote requires a clinical consultation, where the surgical plan is confirmed against your specific anatomy and concerns. Dr Scott Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) consulting in Sydney about all rhinoplasty procedures at his Bondi Junction and Manly clinics.
To schedule a consultation, contact our team.
Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected] Bondi Junction: 39 Grosvenor Street, Bondi Junction NSW Manly: Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW
Two consultations are required before any cosmetic component of surgery is scheduled, in line with Medical Board and AHPRA requirements.
About Your Surgeon
Dr Scott J Turner is an AHPRA-registered Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) consulting in Sydney (Manly and Bondi Junction), Brisbane and Canberra. His practice focuses on facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty and cosmetic breast surgery, performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney. Dr Turner emphasises individual patient assessment, surgical planning and clear information on risks, recovery and costs, holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
