Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Canberra & Sydney
Cost is usually one of the first questions Canberra patients raise when they sit down with me at the Campbell clinic. It’s a fair question, and the answer is more layered than most practice websites make it look. A facelift is not a single procedure with a single price. It ranges from a short scar approach for early lower-face changes through to a comprehensive vertical restore facelift addressing the entire face and neck. What you pay reflects the scope of your surgery, the technique required, the surgical time involved, and whether you are combining other facial procedures in the same operation.
I see ACT and Southern NSW patients at the Campbell clinic most weeks. The pattern is consistent: research-stage patients have looked at three or four practice websites, encountered very different headline numbers, and want to know how to compare like-for-like. This guide is written for that patient. The figures here are typical of my practice as of 2026 and are indicative rather than fixed. Every quote depends on individual surgical planning, and a formal itemised quote is provided only after consultation.
My All-Inclusive Facelift Pricing for Canberra Patients
| Procedure | All-inclusive cost |
|---|---|
| Short scar facelift | ~$25,000 |
| Deep plane facelift with neck lift | ~$35,000 |
| Vertical Restore Facelift | ~$45,000 |
| Ponytail facelift | ~$24,000 |
| Anterior neck lift (standalone) | $18,000–$26,000 |
| Consultation | $450 |
All figures are all-inclusive: surgeon, hospital, specialist anaesthetist, and all post-operative appointments. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation based on your specific surgical plan.
Canberra patients pay the same surgical fees as Sydney patients. There is no Canberra surcharge and no Sydney discount. Surgery for ACT patients is performed in accredited Sydney private hospitals, which I will cover further down. Travel and accommodation in Sydney for the surgical stay are separate from the surgical fee, and I have included realistic figures for that further down as well.
What Is Included in the All-Inclusive Fee
The total cost of facelift surgery is made up of several components. Understanding each one helps you compare quotes accurately.
Surgeon’s fee. This is the largest variable in the total cost. It reflects training, subspecialty experience, and the complexity of the specific procedure. A short scar facelift and a vertical restore facelift involving brow repositioning, blepharoplasty, fat grafting, and comprehensive neck work are entirely different operations. The fee reflects that difference.
Specialist anaesthetist fee. A facelift is always performed under general anaesthesia. A specialist anaesthetist’s fee covers continuous patient monitoring throughout the procedure, which may run between 3.5 and 7 hours depending on the technique and whether additional procedures are combined.
Hospital facility fee. Covers operating theatre use, nursing staff, surgical equipment, and overnight accommodation. I recommend patients remain in hospital overnight following facelift procedures so that monitoring and pain management during early recovery are properly supervised. All surgery is performed at fully accredited Sydney private hospitals.
Post-operative care. Follow-up appointments, prescribed medications, surgical garments, and any supplementary treatments that support healing are included in the all-inclusive fee. For Canberra patients, the early post-operative review usually occurs in Sydney before you return home. Later reviews are scheduled at the Campbell clinic or via telehealth where clinically appropriate.
Why Facelift Costs Have Increased Over the Past Decade
Facelift surgery has changed substantially in the past ten years. What was once a relatively contained 3 to 4 hour operation addressing the lower face and neck has evolved into a comprehensive procedure that may run to 6 or 7 hours when multiple techniques are combined in one operation.
Traditional facelift techniques focused on SMAS plication and platysmaplasty, targeting the lower face and upper neck. Costs for these conventional approaches in Australia have historically ranged from approximately $17,000 to $25,000. For patients with mild to moderate concerns, these techniques can deliver appropriate outcomes.
Modern facelift surgery has fundamentally changed what a complete facial procedure involves. The contemporary approach integrates deep plane dissection, advanced neck work, fat grafting, brow repositioning, blepharoplasty, and lip shortening where appropriate, all in a single coordinated session. Each additional component requires specific expertise, additional surgical time, and careful integration. This is why contemporary comprehensive facelifts require a greater investment than conventional approaches.
Why Advanced Techniques Cost More
Deep plane facelift. Dissection beneath the SMAS, releasing the retaining ligaments that anchor the deeper facial tissues. The soft tissue composite is repositioned as a structural unit rather than depending on surface skin tension. The technique requires detailed anatomical knowledge, precise retaining ligament release, and meticulous dissection around the facial nerve branches. It is estimated that fewer than 5 per cent of plastic surgeons perform true deep plane facelifts. A deep plane facelift with neck lift at my practice costs approximately $35,000 all-inclusive.
Vertical Restore Facelift. My most comprehensive approach, incorporating deep plane techniques with brow repositioning, blepharoplasty where indicated, midface lifting, neck work, fat grafting, and selected lip shortening, all in a single coordinated procedure. Operating time of 5 to 7 hours reflects the scope of structural work involved. Results from this approach typically last 10 to 15 years. Cost approximately $45,000 all-inclusive.
Longevity as a value consideration. Published evidence suggests deep plane facelifts may last 12 to 15 years, compared with 6 to 8 years for traditional SMAS techniques. Patients who consider the total investment over time, including the cost and recovery of a subsequent procedure earlier with a more limited technique, often find a longer-lasting approach represents better value despite a higher initial cost. This is a discussion worth having at consultation, not a decision to make on a website.
What Affects Your Individual Quote
Several variables push costs toward the lower or higher end of the range:
Surgical complexity. A deep plane facelift on a patient with moderate midface descent and neck laxity takes considerably longer than a short scar facelift on an earlier-presenting patient. The surgical plan, and therefore the cost, is confirmed at consultation once I have assessed the underlying anatomy.
Combining procedures. Many patients address multiple concerns in a single operation: facelift with blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, or lip lift. Combining procedures increases the total cost but often represents better overall value than staging them separately, since it involves only one anaesthetic and one recovery period.
Complexity of neck work. Where deeper neck structures require attention, such as subplatysmal fat, submandibular glands, or digastric muscles, a deep neck lift component is incorporated. This adds surgical time and complexity compared with standard platysmaplasty.
Revision considerations. Surgery after a prior facelift is more complex than a primary procedure because scar tissue, altered anatomy, and reduced tissue mobility limit what is achievable. Revision facelift quotes are case-specific and discussed individually.
Additional Costs for Canberra Patients
Because surgery is performed in Sydney, Canberra patients have travel and accommodation costs that are separate from the surgical fee. These are not paid to the practice. They are not on the itemised quote. But they should be in your overall budget so there are no surprises.
Realistic guidance for ACT patients:
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Return travel Canberra to Sydney | From $200 by car (fuel/tolls) or $400+ by air |
| Accommodation (3 to 4 nights, near hospital) | From $200 per night |
| Meals and incidentals | From $80 per day |
| Support person | Travel and accommodation as above; not optional |
| Pharmacy and consumables | From $100 to $200 |
Most patients arrive in Sydney the evening before surgery and stay for two to three nights post-operatively before returning to Canberra. The drive is around three hours, or under an hour by air, and most patients prefer not to be the driver on the return trip. A support person, generally a partner, family member, or close friend, is required for the discharge collection and the first 24 to 48 hours at home.
For practical guidance on the Canberra-to-Sydney pathway, see Travelling from Canberra to Sydney for Plastic Surgery.
How Deep Plane Compares to Traditional Facelift
| Short Scar / SMAS Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift | Vertical Restore Facelift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique depth | Superficial SMAS | Beneath the SMAS | Deep plane + comprehensive |
| Neck treatment | Limited / standard | Comprehensive | Comprehensive + deep neck |
| Operating time | 2–3 hours | 3.5–5 hours | 5–7 hours |
| Typical longevity | 5–7 years | 10–12 years | 10–15 years |
| All-inclusive cost | ~$25,000 | ~$35,000 | ~$45,000 |
| Suited to | Early lower-face changes | Moderate to advanced | Multi-zone, comprehensive |
Which technique is right for you depends on your anatomy, the degree of change present, what you are hoping to address, and how long you want the result to hold. This is determined at consultation, not by reading a website. For the procedural detail behind each approach, see the Deep Plane Facelift Canberra, Short Scar Facelift Canberra, and Ponytail Facelift Canberra pages.
The Canberra Patient Pathway
ACT patients usually follow a defined sequence from the first enquiry through to surgery and home recovery. Knowing the steps in advance helps you plan time off work, caring responsibilities, and budget.
Initial Canberra consultation. In person at the Campbell clinic on a Friday. Detailed history, photographic assessment, examination, discussion of what is achievable, and which technique is appropriate for your anatomy.
Second consultation. This may take place at the Campbell clinic at a subsequent Friday session, or in Sydney, or via telehealth where AHPRA requirements are satisfied. Refinement of the surgical plan, photography for planning, written quote, consent discussion, and travel logistics.
Seven-day cooling-off period. Mandatory under AHPRA guidelines from July 2023. Surgery cannot be booked, and a deposit cannot be paid, until at least seven days have elapsed after the second consultation and informed consent.
Surgical deposit. The $1,000 surgical deposit is payable only after the cooling-off period and informed consent.
Surgery in Sydney. Performed at an accredited Sydney private hospital. Most patients stay one to two nights in hospital.
Early post-operative review. Usually conducted in Sydney before you return to Canberra, around 5 to 10 days post-operatively.
Later follow-up. Scheduled at the Campbell clinic or via telehealth where clinically appropriate. All routine follow-up is included in the all-inclusive fee.
AHPRA Regulatory Requirements
Under the AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines effective 1 July 2023, the following requirements apply before any cosmetic facelift can proceed:
- A referral from your GP or another independent medical practitioner is required before initial consultation
- A minimum of two pre-operative consultations are required with me as the operating surgeon, with at least one in person
- A psychological evaluation using a validated screening tool is part of suitability assessment
- A seven-day cooling-off period applies after the second consultation and informed consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid
- Patients must not be asked to sign consent forms or pay surgical deposits at the first consultation
A partial Medicare rebate may apply to the consultation fee when a valid GP referral is in place. The surgical procedure itself is cosmetic and is generally not eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance benefit, with limited exceptions for documented functional concerns assessed individually.
What a Clear Quote Looks Like
Once you have completed the consultation pathway, you will receive a formal itemised quote covering:
- Surgeon’s fee for each planned component
- Specialist anaesthetist fee
- Hospital facility fee, including overnight stay
- Routine post-operative reviews
- Surgical garments and standard medications
- GST where applicable
A clear quote tells you what is included and, where relevant, what is not. If you have received a quote elsewhere that lists only the surgeon’s fee with hospital and anaesthesia “to be confirmed”, that is not an all-inclusive figure. Whether you choose to proceed with me or with another surgeon, the same question applies: is the figure on the page the figure I pay, and is everything covered?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a facelift cost in Canberra in 2026?
At my practice, a short scar facelift costs approximately $25,000 all-inclusive. A deep plane facelift with neck lift costs approximately $35,000. A Vertical Restore Facelift costs approximately $45,000. A ponytail facelift costs approximately $24,000. All figures include surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all routine follow-up. A consultation fee of $450 applies, and a formal itemised quote is provided after consultation. These figures are the same for Canberra patients as for Sydney patients; there is no Canberra surcharge.
Is the price different because I’m in Canberra rather than Sydney?
No. Surgical fees are the same regardless of whether you live in Canberra or Sydney. Surgery is performed in accredited Sydney private hospitals because that is where I operate. Canberra patients have additional travel and accommodation costs because of the trip to Sydney, but these are separate from the surgical fee and are not paid to the practice. Budget around $1,000 to $1,500 for travel, accommodation, and incidentals over the surgical stay, depending on your travel choices.
What additional costs should ACT patients budget for?
Travel between Canberra and Sydney (from $200 by car or $400+ by air), accommodation near the hospital for three to four nights (from $200 per night), meals and incidentals (from $80 per day), pharmacy and consumables (from $100 to $200), and travel and accommodation for a required support person. These are realistic figures for the standard pathway; the actual amount depends on your travel and accommodation preferences.
Does Medicare or private health insurance cover any of the cost?
Facelift surgery is generally classified as a cosmetic procedure and is not eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance benefit. A partial Medicare rebate may apply to the consultation fee where a valid GP referral is in place. Where a neck lift component addresses clinically documented functional concerns, a limited exception may apply. This is assessed individually at consultation and is not a typical outcome.
How many consultations do I need before I can book surgery?
A minimum of two consultations with me as the operating surgeon are required under AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines from July 2023, with at least one in person. A GP referral is required before the first consultation. A seven-day cooling-off period applies after the second consultation and informed consent before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid. For Canberra patients, the in-person consultation is held at the Campbell clinic on a Friday; the second consultation may be at Campbell, in Sydney, or via telehealth where AHPRA requirements are satisfied.
Can a facelift be combined with other procedures and how does that affect cost?
Yes, this is common. A facelift is frequently combined with blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, or lip lift in a single operation. Combining procedures increases the total cost but avoids multiple separate anaesthetics and recovery periods, and often represents better overall value than staging procedures. The Vertical Restore Facelift incorporates many of these components by design. The right approach depends on what you want to address and what is safe to combine for your anatomy. This is determined at consultation.
What is included in the all-inclusive figure?
Surgeon’s fee, specialist anaesthetist fee, hospital facility fee including overnight stay, routine post-operative reviews, surgical garments, and standard medications. Some practices quote surgeon fees only with hospital and anaesthesia listed separately. Always confirm whether a quote is genuinely all-inclusive before comparing figures from different practices.
Related Resources
Related Canberra procedure pages:
- Deep Plane Facelift Canberra
- Short Scar Facelift Canberra
- Ponytail Facelift Canberra
- Neck Lift Canberra
- Blepharoplasty Canberra
- Canberra Plastic Surgeon Hub
Helpful guides:
- Facelift Cost Sydney 2026: Master Pricing Guide
- Mini Facelift Canberra: When It’s the Right Choice
- Travelling from Canberra to Sydney for Plastic Surgery
- FRACS vs Cosmetic Surgeon in Canberra
- Risks and Complications of Cosmetic Surgery
- Out of Town Patients
Consult with Dr Scott J Turner in Canberra
Facelift pricing cannot be confirmed without a consultation. The surgical plan, and therefore the cost, depends on your specific anatomy, the degree of change present, and which techniques are appropriate. At the end of your consultation, you receive a formal itemised quote covering all cost components.
I consult with Canberra patients at the Campbell clinic on Fridays by appointment. Surgery is performed in accredited Sydney private hospitals. To arrange a consultation, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758. A GP referral is required before any cosmetic surgery consultation.
Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612 Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected] Consultations: Fridays by appointment
