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What is nose surgery? | Which procedure may suit you | Medicare and insurance | Recovery | Risks and limitations | Cost | Consultation | Nose surgery guides
What is nose surgery?
Nose surgery is any operation on the external framework of the nose or its internal airway. It includes rhinoplasty to change the shape of the nose, septoplasty and functional rhinoplasty to reduce nasal obstruction, and treatment of a broken nose. These can be combined in one operation when both appearance and breathing are involved.
Surgery to change the shape of the nose
Appearance-led surgery works on the bridge (dorsum), the nasal tip, the nostrils and alar base, and the projection of the nose in relation to the face. Surgery performed only to change appearance is cosmetic surgery: it is not eligible for Medicare benefits and follows the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery requirements, set out under consultation below.
Surgery to make breathing easier
Nasal obstruction usually comes from a deviated septum, narrow or collapsing nasal valves, enlarged turbinates, or changes after injury or surgery. Septoplasty straightens the septum. Functional rhinoplasty works on the nasal valves and the cartilage and bone framework where septoplasty alone would not be enough. When breathing and shape are treated together, the operation is called septorhinoplasty.
Surgery after injury or previous surgery
A recent nasal fracture is time-sensitive and is assessed on its own pathway. Surgery on a nose that has been operated on before is assessed individually, because scar tissue and changed anatomy can mean cartilage grafts are needed from the septum, ear or rib.
Rhinoplasty may be performed through incisions inside the nostrils (closed) or with an added small incision across the columella, the skin between the nostrils (open). The rhinoplasty page explains how the approach is chosen.
Which nose procedure may suit you?
A general guide to which page covers which situation. The procedure that suits you depends on your anatomy, breathing and goals, and is confirmed only at consultation.
| If your main goal is | The procedure usually discussed |
|---|---|
| A change to the bridge, a dorsal hump, or the overall shape or size of the nose | Rhinoplasty in Sydney |
| A change to the nasal tip only, such as a wide, rounded or drooping tip | Tip rhinoplasty |
| Narrower or less flared nostrils | Alarplasty (nostril reduction) |
| Easier breathing where a deviated septum is the cause | Septoplasty (deviated septum surgery) |
| Easier breathing where the nasal valves or the nasal framework are involved, or breathing and shape treated together | Functional rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty |
| Assessment after a recent injury that has changed the shape of the nose or the airway | Broken nose treatment |
| Nose surgery for a patient under 18 | Teen rhinoplasty, a guide for parents and guardians |
| Nose surgery planned around male facial anatomy | Male rhinoplasty |
| Changes after a previous nose operation | Assessed individually at consultation. Bring any operation records you have |
Many patients fit more than one row, and a blocked nose and a dorsal hump are often treated in the same operation.
Medicare and private health insurance
Rhinoplasty performed only to change the appearance of the nose is not eligible for Medicare benefits or private health insurance cover. Medicare items for rhinoplasty apply only where there is airway obstruction with a self-reported NOSE Scale score above 45, or a significant acquired, congenital or developmental deformity, and that evidence is recorded in your clinical notes. Eligibility is confirmed at consultation.
| Clinical situation | MBS item | Covered on |
|---|---|---|
| Septal surgery, including septoplasty | 41671 | Septoplasty |
| Partial rhinoplasty of the lateral and alar cartilages, where the criteria above are met | 45632 | Functional rhinoplasty |
| Total rhinoplasty of the bony and cartilaginous framework, with or without a local graft, where the criteria are met | 45641 | Functional rhinoplasty |
| As above, with a bone or cartilage graft from a distant donor site, such as rib | 45644 | Functional rhinoplasty |
| Revision of previous nose surgery of this kind, where the criteria are met | 45650 | Assessed at consultation |
| Nasal fracture treated by reduction | 47738 | Broken nose treatment |
| Nasal fracture treated by open reduction with osteotomies | 47741 | Broken nose treatment |
Where one operation combines cosmetic and functional work, only the functional part may be eligible. Whether your fund contributes to hospital costs depends on your fund and level of cover. Our guide to Medicare and nose surgery explains the criteria in more detail.
Recovery after nose surgery
Recovery depends on the operation and on how each person heals. After rhinoplasty an external splint is usually worn for the first week, and swelling and bruising around the eyes and cheeks are common. Many patients take 7 to 10 days away from work and social activities.
Visible swelling settles over the following weeks. Swelling in the nasal tip settles more slowly, and the nose continues to change for 12 to 18 months. Recovery after surgery on a previously operated nose is often longer.
For a stage-by-stage account, see our rhinoplasty recovery week by week guide.
Risks and limitations
Nose surgery is an invasive procedure and carries risk. Risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, persistent swelling, changes in breathing (including airway obstruction), graft-related complications, septal perforation, scarring, changes in sensation, dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nose, and the need for further surgery. The risks of general anaesthetic also apply.
Surgery works within the limits of your skin thickness, cartilage and bone. Results vary between patients and cannot be predicted with certainty.
The risks that apply to you are discussed in detail at consultation; our article on risks and complications explains the common ones.
Cost of nose surgery
The fee for nose surgery depends on the operation planned, how long it takes, and whether functional work is included. Each quote covers the surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and hospital fees, and is given in writing after consultation, once the surgical plan is settled.
| Procedure | Fee (all-inclusive, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty | From $18,600 |
| Tip rhinoplasty | $13,950 to $18,600 |
| Alarplasty | $6,000 in the rooms; about $9,300 in hospital on its own |
| Septoplasty | About $18,200 self-funded; lower where Medicare and insurance apply |
| Functional rhinoplasty | About $17,600 to $27,000 self-funded; lower where Medicare and insurance apply |
| Broken nose treatment | From $3,150 for fracture reduction |
Where Medicare criteria are met, benefits apply only to the eligible functional part, and your fund may contribute to hospital costs depending on your cover. Cosmetic nose surgery is self-funded. The consultation fee is $450, separate from the surgical quote.
Our rhinoplasty cost guide explains what affects the fee for each procedure, and the plastic surgery prices page lists fees across the practice.
Consultation and Dr Turner’s approach
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (AHPRA registration MED0001654827) and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. At consultation he examines the outside of the nose and the airway (septum, nasal valves and turbinates), reviews your history and any previous injury or surgery, and explains what your anatomy may and may not allow. Alternatives, including not having surgery, are part of that discussion.
Steps before surgery
- Referral. You need a referral before your first consultation, from your GP or another registered medical practitioner.
- Two consultations. For cosmetic surgery, including the cosmetic part of combined surgery, there are at least two consultations with Dr Turner before surgery is booked. The first may be by video; the second is in person.
- Cooling-off period. A cooling-off period of at least seven days applies after both consultations and signed consent, before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.
3D imaging may be used during consultation to help discuss possible changes. It is a planning and communication tool, not a prediction of your result.
Additional safeguards apply to patients under 18. Treatment of a recent broken nose is time-sensitive and follows its own pathway. Both are explained on their procedure pages, linked in the table above.
To arrange a consultation, contact the practice.
Nose surgery guides
- Rhinoplasty cost in Sydney: what a quote includes and current fee ranges
- Recovery week by week: from the splint to the final settling of the tip
- Medicare and nose surgery: the criteria and the item numbers
- Nasal valve collapse: how valve narrowing blocks the nose and how it is assessed
- Breathing problems after nose surgery: causes and assessment
- What happens at a consultation: examination, imaging and planning
- Choosing a surgeon: registration, training and what to ask
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nose surgery and rhinoplasty?
Nose surgery is the broad term for any operation on the nose. Rhinoplasty is surgery that reshapes the nose, for appearance, for breathing, or both. Septoplasty, nostril reduction and treatment of a broken nose are also forms of nose surgery, and several can be combined in one operation.
Is nose surgery always cosmetic?
No. Septoplasty and functional rhinoplasty aim to make breathing through the nose easier, and treatment of a nasal fracture repairs an injury. These may be eligible for Medicare benefits where the criteria are met and documented. Surgery performed only to change the appearance of the nose is cosmetic and is not eligible.
How do I know which nose procedure I need?
It depends on what you would like to change, whether breathing is affected, and what your anatomy will allow. Dr Turner examines the outside of the nose and the internal airway, then explains which procedure or combination may suit you. Many patients need more than one element, such as breathing surgery combined with a change in shape. Suitability is confirmed only at consultation.
Can breathing surgery and a change in shape be done in the same operation?
Often, yes. When a blocked nose and a change in shape are treated together, the operation is called septorhinoplasty. Only the functional part may be eligible for Medicare benefits, and only where the criteria are met. The cosmetic part follows the cosmetic surgery requirements, including two consultations and a cooling-off period.
Does Medicare cover nose surgery?
Medicare items for rhinoplasty apply only where there is airway obstruction with a self-reported NOSE Scale score above 45, or a significant acquired, congenital or developmental deformity, recorded in your clinical notes. Septoplasty and nasal fracture treatment have their own items. Rhinoplasty performed only to change appearance is not eligible. Eligibility is confirmed at consultation.
How much does nose surgery cost in Sydney?
Rhinoplasty starts from $18,600 and tip rhinoplasty is $13,950 to $18,600, all-inclusive. The fee depends on the operation, how long it takes and whether functional work is included, and each quote covers the surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and hospital fees. Where Medicare criteria are met, benefits apply only to the eligible part. Fees for each procedure are listed in the cost section above.
How long is recovery after nose surgery?
After rhinoplasty an external splint is usually worn for the first week, and many patients take 7 to 10 days away from work and social activities. Visible swelling settles over the following weeks, while swelling in the nasal tip settles more slowly over 12 to 18 months. Recovery after surgery on a previously operated nose is often longer.
What are the risks of nose surgery?
Risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, persistent swelling, changes in breathing, graft-related complications, septal perforation, scarring, changes in sensation, dissatisfaction with the appearance and the need for further surgery, as well as the risks of general anaesthetic. The risks that apply to you depend on your anatomy and the operation planned, and are discussed at consultation.
