Key Takeaways
- The total cost of gyno surgery combines the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital fee and post-operative care, so a single headline price rarely tells the full story.
- Standard gyno surgery (gland excision with liposuction) has an indicative surgeon’s fee of $7,000 to $9,000, with hospital and anaesthetist fees charged separately.
- Medicare items 31525 (one side) and 31526 (both sides) may apply when the enlargement is not due to excess weight and photographs document the clinical need.
- Where Medicare criteria are met, private health insurance may contribute to hospital costs, but an out-of-pocket gap usually remains.
- A written quote is provided after an in-person consultation, once the tissue type and grade have been assessed.
Cost is one of the first things men look into when researching gynaecomastia surgery. The answer varies more than most people expect, because the price depends on what the surgery needs to remove and whether Medicare criteria apply. Knowing what drives the cost helps you plan and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
This guide covers each component of the fee, how Medicare items 31525 and 31526 work, what private health insurance may contribute, and what to check before you commit to surgery.
What Makes Up the Cost of Gyno Surgery
Gynaecomastia surgery is not a single procedure with a fixed price. The total reflects the techniques your case requires and the fees charged by each member of the surgical team.
Surgeon’s fee. This covers the surgeon’s assessment, surgical time and post-operative review. It is usually the largest single component and rises with the complexity of the case.
Anaesthetist’s fee. A specialist anaesthetist gives and monitors the general anaesthetic. This fee is set and billed separately by the anaesthetist.
Hospital fee. This covers the operating theatre, recovery room, nursing care and surgical consumables. It varies with the facility and the length of surgery.
Procedure complexity. Liposuction alone is a shorter operation than combined gland excision and liposuction. Cases that also need skin removal take longer again. More theatre time and more surgical steps increase each of the fees above.
Post-operative care. This includes follow-up appointments and the compression garment worn during recovery. When comparing quotes, confirm whether these are included.
Indicative Cost
Standard gynaecomastia surgery combines gland excision with liposuction. The indicative surgeon’s fee is $7,000 to $9,000. Hospital and anaesthetist fees are additional and are set by the hospital and the anaesthetist.
This is a general guide only. Your quote depends on your tissue composition, grade and the hospital chosen, and is provided in writing after consultation. Where Medicare criteria are met, rebates reduce the total but do not remove the out-of-pocket gap.
The consultation fee with Dr Scott J Turner is $450, payable at booking.
Medicare and Gyno Surgery
Medicare can contribute to gynaecomastia surgery, but only when specific criteria are met. Surgery for appearance alone does not attract a rebate.
The Medicare items
Two Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items cover mastectomy for gynaecomastia, with or without liposuction:
- Item 31525 covers surgery on one side.
- Item 31526 covers surgery on both sides.
The eligibility criteria
Both items have the same two conditions:
- The breast enlargement is not due to obesity and is not in proportion to overall body shape.
- Photographs showing the clinical need for surgery are kept in the patient’s notes.
This means a careful assessment matters. Enlargement that is mainly fat and in keeping with body weight (pseudogynaecomastia) does not meet the first criterion. The difference between the two is explained in pseudogynaecomastia vs true gynaecomastia.
What the rebate covers
From July 2026, the MBS schedule fee is $622.35 for item 31525 and $1,089.20 for item 31526. For in-hospital surgery, Medicare pays 75% of the schedule fee: $466.80 and $816.90 respectively. Schedule fees are indexed each July, so check the current figure on MBS Online.
The schedule fee is usually well below the surgeon’s fee. The rebate offsets part of the cost and does not make surgery free.
Liposuction-only cases
Liposuction on its own is not covered under items 31525 or 31526, which describe a mastectomy (gland removal) with or without liposuction. The separate liposuction item, 45585, is limited to specific medical conditions and cannot be claimed alongside the gynaecomastia items.
Private Health Insurance
Where your surgery meets the Medicare criteria, private hospital cover may contribute to hospital and theatre costs, and to the 25% of the schedule fee that Medicare does not pay. The gap between the surgeon’s fee and the schedule fee is usually paid by the patient.
What your fund contributes depends on your policy, its clinical categories, your waiting periods and the hospital used. Gynaecomastia that existed before you took out cover may be subject to a pre-existing condition waiting period, often 12 months for hospital cover. Contact your fund with the item numbers above to check your entitlement before booking.
Surgery that does not meet the Medicare criteria is generally not covered by private health insurance.
Comparing Quotes
Quotes are not always structured the same way. These checks help you compare them fairly:
- Is the quote total or surgeon’s fee only? Some quotes list the surgeon’s fee alone and leave hospital and anaesthetist costs to be added later.
- Was the quote given after an examination? The grade and tissue type determine the surgery required, so a quote given before an in-person assessment may change.
- Are follow-up visits and the compression garment included?
- What are the surgeon’s qualifications? You can check a practitioner’s registration and any specialist registration, such as plastic and reconstructive surgery, on the Ahpra public register.
Before Surgery: Referral, Consultations and Cooling-Off
A referral from your GP or another medical practitioner is required before your consultation. It is also needed for any Medicare rebate on specialist fees.
For surgery performed for cosmetic reasons, you will have at least two consultations before surgery, including one in person with the surgeon who will operate, followed by a cooling-off period of at least seven days before you can confirm surgery. During consultation, Dr Turner assesses your tissue, discusses whether Medicare criteria are likely to apply, and explains the risks and recovery. Details of the procedure are on the gynaecomastia surgery page, and what to expect afterwards is covered in recovery after gynaecomastia surgery.
To arrange a consultation, contact the practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does gyno surgery cost in Australia?
For standard surgery combining gland excision with liposuction, the indicative surgeon’s fee is $7,000 to $9,000. Hospital and anaesthetist fees are additional. Medicare rebates may reduce the total where criteria are met. A written quote covering all fees is provided after consultation.
Does Medicare cover gyno surgery?
Medicare items 31525 (one side) and 31526 (both sides) may apply when the enlargement is not due to obesity, is out of proportion to body shape, and photographs document the clinical need. Surgery for appearance alone is not covered. Even when a rebate applies, an out-of-pocket gap remains.
Is liposuction-only gyno surgery covered by Medicare?
No. Items 31525 and 31526 describe gland removal, with or without liposuction. Liposuction on its own does not meet these items, and the separate liposuction item is limited to specific medical conditions.
Will private health insurance pay for gyno surgery?
If Medicare criteria are met, private hospital cover may contribute to hospital costs and part of the schedule fee. The amount depends on your policy, clinical categories and waiting periods. Contact your fund with the item numbers before booking to confirm your cover.
Do I need a GP referral for gyno surgery?
Yes. A referral from your GP or another medical practitioner is required before consultation. The referral is also needed for Medicare rebates on specialist fees. Your GP can also check for medical causes of breast enlargement before surgery is considered.
