Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney
Key Takeaways In Sydney, Dr Turner’s all-inclusive facelift pricing in 2026 reflects the technique and the operating time involved. As a guide, a short scar facelift runs $24,900 to $33,200, a deep plane face and neck lift $37,350 to $49,800, and a comprehensive vertical restore facelift $49,800 to $58,100. Every figure covers surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all follow-up. A consultation is $450, with a formal itemised quote provided after assessment. Facelift surgery is cosmetic and is not covered by Medicare.
The cost of facelift surgery is one of the most common questions at an initial consultation, and one of the hardest to answer without understanding what the surgery actually involves. 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. Whether you are researching the cost of a short scar mini approach or deep plane facelift cost in Sydney, what you pay reflects the scope of your surgery, the technique required, and the operating time involved.
As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) practising from Bondi Junction and Manly in Sydney, I have specific training in deep plane facelift surgery. Surgery is performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
Dr Turner’s All-Inclusive Facelift Pricing
| Procedure | Operating time | All-inclusive cost |
|---|---|---|
| Short scar (mini) facelift | 3 to 4 hours | $24,900 to $33,200 |
| SMAS face and neck lift | 4 to 5 hours | $33,200 to $41,500 |
| Ponytail facelift | 3.5 hours | from $29,050 |
| Deep plane face and neck lift | 4.5 to 6 hours | $37,350 to $49,800 |
| Vertical restore facelift | 6 to 7 hours | $49,800 to $58,100 |
| Lower facelift | 4 hours | from $33,200 |
| Direct neck lift (standalone) | 2.5 hours | from $20,750 |
| Consultation | $450 |
All figures are all-inclusive: surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and all post-operative appointments. Facelift cost is driven largely by operating time and complexity, which is why each technique sits in a range. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation, based on your individual surgical plan.
Facelift Cost by Procedure Type
Because “facelift” covers several different operations, what you pay depends on which procedure suits your anatomy.
Short scar (mini) facelift, $24,900 to $33,200. A short scar facelift addresses early lower face changes through a limited incision, with structural SMAS or deep plane work performed beneath the skin.
SMAS face and neck lift, $33,200 to $41,500. A facelift that works on the SMAS layer with neck work included, suited to mild to moderate lower face and neck change.
Ponytail facelift, from $29,050. A ponytail facelift is a minimal-incision lift focused on the midface and brow, suited to younger patients with good skin quality.
Deep plane face and neck lift, $37,350 to $49,800. A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS and repositions the deeper facial layers as a unit, with comprehensive neck work included.
Vertical restore facelift, $49,800 to $58,100. The most comprehensive option, combining deep plane technique with brow, eyelid, midface, neck work, and fat grafting in a single coordinated procedure.
Direct neck lift (standalone), from $20,750. A neck lift performed on its own for patients whose concern is confined to the neck. Most neck lifts are performed as part of a facelift rather than alone.
What Is Included in the All-Inclusive Fee
The total cost of facelift surgery comprises several components. Understanding each helps you compare quotes accurately.
Surgeon’s fee. The largest variable in the total cost. It reflects the surgeon’s 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, and the fee reflects that.
Anaesthesia fee. A facelift is always performed under general anaesthesia. A specialist anaesthetist’s fee is charged for continuous patient monitoring throughout the procedure, which may take 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. Dr Turner recommends patients remain overnight following facelift procedures to allow for appropriate monitoring and pain management during initial recovery. All surgery is performed at fully accredited Sydney private hospitals.
Post-operative care. Follow-up appointments, prescribed medications, compression garments, and any supplementary treatments that may support healing. At Dr Turner’s practice, all routine follow-up visits are included in the all-inclusive fee.
Why Facelift Costs Have Increased
Facelift surgery has changed significantly over the past decade. What was once a relatively straightforward 3 to 4 hour operation addressing the lower face and neck has evolved into a comprehensive procedure that may extend to 6 to 7 hours when multiple techniques are combined.
Traditional facelift techniques centred on SMAS plication and platysmaplasty, targeting the lower face and upper neck. For patients with mild to moderate concerns, these techniques can deliver appropriate outcomes and sit toward the lower end of the pricing range.
Modern facelift surgery has changed what a complete facial procedure involves. The contemporary approach may integrate deep plane dissection, advanced neck work, fat grafting, brow repositioning, blepharoplasty, and lip shortening, all in a single session. Each additional component requires specific expertise, additional surgical time, and careful integration. This is why a comprehensive vertical restore facelift sits well above a short scar approach.
Why Advanced Techniques Cost More
Deep plane facelift. Involves dissection beneath the SMAS, releasing the retaining ligaments that anchor the deeper facial tissues. This allows the soft tissue composite to be repositioned as a structural unit rather than pulling on the skin surface. The technique requires detailed knowledge of facial anatomy, precise retaining ligament release, and meticulous dissection around critical structures, including the facial nerves. It is estimated that fewer than 5% of plastic surgeons perform true deep plane facelifts. At Dr Turner’s practice, a deep plane face and neck lift costs $37,350 to $49,800 all-inclusive, reflecting 4.5 to 6 hours of operating time.
Vertical restore facelift. Dr Turner’s most comprehensive approach, incorporating deep plane techniques with brow repositioning, blepharoplasty where indicated, midface lifting, neck work, fat grafting, and in selected cases lip shortening, all in a single coordinated procedure. Operating time of 6 to 7 hours reflects the scope of structural work involved. Results from this approach typically last 10 to 15 years. Cost $49,800 to $58,100 all-inclusive.
Longevity as a value consideration. Deep plane facelifts may last around 10 to 12 years, compared to 5 to 7 years for traditional SMAS techniques. Patients considering the total investment over time, including the potential cost and recovery of a subsequent procedure earlier with a more limited technique, often find the longer-lasting approach represents better value despite a higher initial cost.
What Affects Your Individual Quote
Several variables push costs toward the lower or higher end of the range:
Operating time and surgical complexity. Facelift surgery is priced largely by time in theatre and 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 is confirmed at consultation once Dr Turner has assessed the anatomy.
Combining procedures. Many patients address multiple concerns in a single operation, such as facelift with blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, or lip lift. Combining procedures increases the total cost but is usually more cost-effective than staging them separately, because the fixed costs of one anaesthetic and one hospital admission are shared.
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, which adds operating time and complexity compared to standard platysmaplasty.
Related Facial Procedure Costs
Facelift surgery is often planned alongside other facial procedures. As a guide:
- Lip lift, from $6,000 as an in-rooms procedure under local anaesthetic
- Facial fat transfer, from $4,150 when added to a facelift, or from $8,300 as a standalone procedure
- Chin implant, from $9,200, including the implant device
Each of these is commonly combined with a facelift, sharing one anaesthetic and one recovery period. Combined pricing is confirmed in your written quote.
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 | 3 to 5 hours | 4.5 to 6 hours | 6 to 7 hours |
| Typical longevity | 5 to 7 years | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 15 years |
| All-inclusive cost | $24,900 to $41,500 | $37,350 to $49,800 | $49,800 to $58,100 |
| Suited to | Early to moderate | Moderate to advanced | Multi-zone, comprehensive |
AHPRA Regulatory Requirements
Under AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines (effective 1 July 2023), the following apply before facelift surgery 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a facelift cost in Sydney in 2026?
A facelift is not a single procedure, so the cost reflects the technique and the time in theatre. As a guide, a short scar facelift is $24,900 to $33,200, a deep plane face and neck lift is $37,350 to $49,800, and a comprehensive vertical restore facelift is $49,800 to $58,100. All figures are all-inclusive, covering surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and follow-up. A consultation fee of $450 applies, and a formal itemised quote is provided after consultation.
What is the difference in cost between deep plane and SMAS facelift?
A deep plane face and neck lift runs higher than an SMAS face and neck lift, reflecting the greater depth of dissection and longer operating time, 4.5 to 6 hours versus 4 to 5. As a guide, an SMAS face and neck lift is around $33,200 to $41,500, while a deep plane face and neck lift is around $37,350 to $49,800. The deep plane result also tends to last longer. Your exact figure depends on operating time and is confirmed in your written quote.
Does facelift cost include hospital and anaesthesia?
At Dr Turner’s practice all quoted figures are all-inclusive, covering surgeon fees, hospital, anaesthesia, and all routine post-operative appointments. Some practices quote surgeon fees only, with hospital and anaesthesia listed separately. Always confirm whether a quote is all-inclusive before comparing figures.
Can facelift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, and this is common. Facelift is frequently combined with blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, and lip lift in a single operation. Because surgery is priced largely by operating time, combining procedures is usually more cost-effective than staging them, since one anaesthetic and one hospital admission are shared. The vertical restore facelift incorporates many of these components by design.
Is facelift covered by Medicare?
No. A facelift is a cosmetic procedure and does not attract a Medicare rebate or private health insurance benefit. There is no MBS item number for facelift or neck lift surgery performed for facial ageing. Your individual costs are confirmed in a written quote after consultation.
Consult with Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Turner consults for facelift surgery in Sydney at Bondi Junction and Manly. Surgery is performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why. Contact the practice to arrange a consultation.
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.
