Key Factors Determining Your Surgical Investment
It is often misleading to look for a single price for a specific plastic surgery procedure. Costs are highly personalised and depend on the individual patient’s needs. Several primary components contribute to the final quote provided after a thorough consultation.
Procedure complexity. More intricate or lengthy surgeries require more operating theatre time, specialised resources, and advanced surgical skill. A short scar facelift and a Vertical Restore Facelift involving brow work, blepharoplasty, and fat grafting are entirely different operations, and the fees reflect that.
Surgeon’s expertise and qualifications. The surgeon’s fee reflects their training, years of experience, and specialised skills. Choosing a FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon provides assurance of rigorous accredited training.
Hospital fees. These cover the use of the operating theatre, specialised surgical equipment, nursing care, and overnight accommodation where required.
Anaesthetist fees. A separate fee for the specialist anaesthetist, based on the complexity of anaesthesia required and procedure duration.
Implants or special materials. For procedures involving implants or specialised materials, these costs are factored into the overall price.
Pre-operative and post-operative care. Comprehensive surgical care includes consultations, pre-surgical assessments, and follow-up appointments. At Dr Turner’s practice, follow-up visits are included in the all-inclusive quoted fee.
Indicative Pricing Guide
The figures below are indicative starting costs at Dr Turner’s practice, provided as a reference point only. All figures are all-inclusive — covering surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and post-operative follow-up visits. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed. Individual pricing varies based on the specific procedure required, surgical complexity, and whether procedures are combined in a single operation.
Face Procedures
| Procedure | Indicative all-inclusive cost | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Short scar facelift | from $25,000 | Facelift cost guide |
| Deep plane facelift with neck lift | from $35,000 | Facelift cost guide |
| Vertical Restore Facelift | from $45,000 | Facelift cost guide |
| Ponytail facelift | from $24,000 | Ponytail facelift |
| Neck lift (standalone) | $18,000–$26,000 | Neck lift |
| Brow lift | from $13,500 | Brow lift |
Eye Procedures
| Procedure | Indicative all-inclusive cost | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty | from $6,000 | Blepharoplasty cost guide |
| Lower blepharoplasty | $9,000–$14,000 | Blepharoplasty cost guide |
| Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty | $13,500–$18,000 | Blepharoplasty cost guide |
Nose Procedures
| Procedure | Indicative all-inclusive cost | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Tip rhinoplasty | from $13,500 | Rhinoplasty cost guide |
| Full cosmetic rhinoplasty | $18,000–$26,000 | Rhinoplasty cost guide |
| Functional rhinoplasty / septorhinoplasty | $11,500–$18,000 | Rhinoplasty cost guide |
| Revision rhinoplasty | $18,000–$26,000 | Rhinoplasty cost guide |
Breast Procedures
| Procedure | Indicative all-inclusive cost | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Breast augmentation (standard) | from $11,000 | Breast surgery cost guide |
| Breast augmentation with fat grafting (hybrid) | from $15,000 | Breast surgery cost guide |
Body Procedures
| Procedure | Indicative all-inclusive cost | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Mini abdominoplasty | from $15,200 with eligible Medicare item, or from $23,200 cosmetic | Tummy tuck cost guide |
| Standard abdominoplasty (Hi-Def with 360 liposuction) | from $21,800 with eligible Medicare item, or from $31,300 cosmetic | Tummy tuck cost guide |
| Fleur De Lis abdominoplasty / Circumferential body lift | from $24,700 with eligible Medicare item, or from $35,000 cosmetic | Tummy tuck cost guide |
Consultation fee: $450 (patients may be eligible for a partial Medicare rebate with a valid GP referral).
All pricing is subject to confirmation at consultation and may change. A formal itemised quote is always provided before any surgical booking is made.
Why Your Surgeon’s Qualifications Matter
The qualifications and experience of the surgeon are arguably the most important factors influencing safety and the quality of outcomes. In Australia, the benchmark for specialist training in plastic surgery is the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (FRACS Plast).
A Specialist Plastic Surgeon holding this qualification has completed extensive, rigorous training specifically in plastic and reconstructive surgery. This demanding training program takes many years beyond basic medical qualifications and covers the full spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
Important: The term “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected title recognised by Australian medical regulatory bodies as indicating specific specialist surgical training. Patients should actively seek out surgeons with the FRACS qualification to ensure care from a surgeon with formal specialist training.
Medicare and Plastic Surgery
The Australian government, through Medicare, offers rebates for many medical services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). However, for plastic surgery, specific conditions apply.
The Key Principle — Medical Necessity
Medicare does not cover procedures performed solely to change appearance. To qualify, surgery must typically address a significant medical condition, correct functional impairment (such as difficulty breathing or obstructed vision), alleviate symptoms like chronic pain, or be reconstructive after trauma, cancer removal, or a congenital condition.
Procedures That May Be Eligible
Meeting specific MBS criteria for medical necessity is essential. Procedures that may be eligible include:
- Breast reduction — for significant neck, back, or shoulder pain caused by large breasts
- Breast lift — for severe breast ptosis meeting specific measurement criteria
- Abdominoplasty — for significant rectus diastasis causing pain or functional issues, or redundant skin after substantial weight loss
- Eyelid surgery — where drooping skin demonstrably impairs the upper visual field (MBS item 45617)
- Nose surgery — to correct documented breathing difficulties caused by nasal obstruction (MBS item 41671)
Understanding the Medicare Gap
Even if your procedure qualifies for a Medicare rebate, it typically will not cover the full cost. You should expect out-of-pocket expenses. The Medicare rebate covers a percentage of the MBS Schedule Fee (set by the government), while the surgeon’s fee reflects their expertise and is typically higher than the Schedule Fee. The difference between total fees and combined rebates is your out-of-pocket expense.
Private Health Insurance
If you have appropriate private health insurance hospital cover and your procedure has an MBS item number, your insurer may cover some or all hospital fees and portions of other fees. The extent of cover depends on your policy level and insurer. Always check directly with your insurer about your specific policy before booking surgery.
For a detailed overview of Medicare for specific procedures, see:
Payment Options
Dr Turner’s practice is committed to transparency and offers several options to help you prepare for your procedure.
Your Personalised Surgical Quote
A detailed cost breakdown is provided after your consultation with Dr Turner. This quote includes all fees associated with your procedure — surgical, anaesthetic, and hospital. If your surgery meets Medicare’s criteria for medical necessity, any applicable rebates or private health fund contributions will also be outlined.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Bank transfer / direct deposit
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX)
- EFTPOS
Final payment for surgery is due two weeks before your procedure. All payment details and deadlines are clearly outlined in your surgical information pack.
Pre-Payment Plan
Dr Turner’s practice offers an internal pre-payment plan to help you manage costs over time. This allows you to make scheduled payments towards your procedure in the weeks or months before surgery, avoiding the need to pay in a single lump sum.
This is not a loan or finance product — it is a structured savings arrangement directly with the clinic. It is especially helpful for patients who prefer to avoid credit-based options. The full surgical fee must be paid by the due date prior to surgery. Speak with the team to set up a pre-payment schedule.
External Financing
While some patients explore third-party finance options, Dr Turner’s practice does not endorse, partner with, or recommend any specific loan providers or “Buy Now, Pay Later” services. The practice does not provide financial advice or facilitate applications for finance, in line with guidelines set out by AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia.
If you choose to explore financing, it is your responsibility to research and manage the process independently. Where necessary, consultation with a qualified, independent financial advisor is recommended.
Superannuation and Plastic Surgery
Superannuation is primarily designed to support your retirement, but the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows for early access under specific “compassionate grounds” in limited circumstances. One of these grounds is to help pay for essential medical treatments that you or a dependant require but cannot otherwise afford.
Important: Accessing superannuation early is not a straightforward process and is subject to strict rules. This pathway is generally reserved for procedures deemed medically necessary, not those undertaken purely for cosmetic purposes.
The ATO’s Strict Criteria
Approval depends on meeting these criteria:
- Proven medical necessity — surgery must be essential to treat an acute or chronic medical condition, alleviate significant pain or dysfunction, or address documented psychological distress directly stemming from a physical condition
- Comprehensive medical evidence — supporting reports from your GP and the Specialist Surgeon are required, clearly explaining why surgery is medically necessary
- Demonstrated financial hardship — you must prove to the ATO that you cannot afford the treatment through other means
Critical Financial Considerations
Accessing your superannuation early is a significant financial decision with potentially serious long-term consequences. Every dollar withdrawn early reduces your retirement savings and loses decades of potential compound earnings. Released funds are generally taxed as income in the year you receive them.
Consulting a licensed, independent financial advisor before applying is strongly recommended. They can help you understand the long-term impact and explore alternative funding avenues.
Note: Dr Turner and his team can only assist with medical assessment and specialist reports. The practice cannot advise on financial matters, assist with ATO applications, or liaise with your super fund.
A Word of Caution
Patients may encounter offers that seem significantly cheaper than average market pricing. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Significantly lower prices can sometimes indicate compromises in critical areas that directly impact patient safety and outcomes:
- Surgeon qualifications and subspecialty training
- Facility accreditation and safety protocols
- Material quality — implants, grafts, suture materials
- Anaesthetist qualifications
- Post-operative care and follow-up provisions
Prioritising cost savings over the surgeon’s qualifications, facility standards, and overall quality of care can lead to disappointing outcomes, increased risk of complications, and potentially the need for revision surgery — which is often considerably more expensive than doing it correctly the first time.
AHPRA Regulatory Requirements for Cosmetic Surgery
Under AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines (effective 1 July 2023), the following apply before cosmetic surgery can proceed in Australia:
- A referral from your GP or a specialist physician
- A minimum of two consultations with the operating surgeon before surgery is booked
- 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. Dr Turner’s team will guide you through each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no single price for a plastic surgery procedure?
Plastic surgery pricing reflects the specific surgical plan required for each patient — which depends on anatomy, the degree of change required, whether procedures are combined, and the complexity of the technique used. A short scar facelift and a Vertical Restore Facelift are both “facelifts” but are entirely different operations with different operating times, hospital stays, and fees. A formal itemised quote is provided at the end of consultation once the surgical plan is confirmed.
Does Medicare cover cosmetic plastic surgery?
Medicare does not cover procedures performed solely to change appearance. Where surgery addresses a documented medical condition — such as nasal obstruction, visual field obstruction caused by excess upper eyelid skin, or significant rectus diastasis causing functional issues — a Medicare rebate may apply to the functional component. Even where a rebate applies, patients should expect a gap payment. Dr Turner’s team assesses eligibility at consultation and provides documentation where relevant.
What does "all-inclusive" mean in surgical pricing?
At Dr Turner’s practice, all quoted figures are all-inclusive, covering surgeon fees, hospital, anaesthesia, and all post-operative follow-up appointments. Some practices quote only the surgeon’s fee, with hospital and anaesthesia listed separately — which can make comparing quotes between practices misleading. Always confirm whether a quote is all-inclusive before comparing figures.
Can I use superannuation to pay for plastic surgery?
Early access to superannuation may be possible on compassionate grounds for medically necessary treatment, but approval is subject to strict ATO criteria and requires documented medical necessity, supporting reports, and evidence of financial hardship. This pathway is not available for purely cosmetic procedures. Consulting an independent financial advisor before applying is strongly recommended — early withdrawal reduces retirement savings and released funds are typically taxed as income.
How do I get an accurate quote for my surgery?
The only way to receive an accurate quote is through a personal consultation with Dr Turner. During consultation, he assesses your anatomy, discusses the surgical plan, and confirms which technique is appropriate. A formal itemised quote is then provided covering all cost components — surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, and follow-up. This allows you to understand exactly what you are being charged for before making any decision to proceed.
Book Your Consultation
The most important step in understanding the specifics of your procedure — including precise costs — is a personal consultation with Dr Turner.
Consultation Fee: $450
Patients may be eligible for a partial Medicare rebate with a valid GP referral.
Clinic Locations:
- Sydney — Bondi Junction
- Sydney — Manly
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Newcastle
Contact Us to arrange your consultation.
