Quick price summary: Plastic Surgeons in Melbourne (2026)
- Low end: $280 – $360 (initial consultation fee only)
- Mid-range: $7,190 – $14,290 (breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelifts)
- High end / enterprise: $15,000 – $35,000+ (complex body contouring, combined procedures, revision surgery)
Prices in AUD. Last updated 2026.
Plastic surgery in Melbourne covers a broad spectrum of procedures across the face, breast, and body. Patients may be seeking a breast augmentation with implants, a facelift (rhytidectomy) that tightens and smooths loose facial tissue, a rhinoplasty to reshape the nose, or a combined breast and abdomen procedure such as a simultaneous augmentation and abdominoplasty. Each of these sits within a very different price bracket, and understanding the full cost structure before booking a consultation is essential.
Costs vary significantly because plastic surgery fees are not a single flat charge. The overall fee for any surgical procedure generally includes several components: the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, hospital or day-surgery facility fees, post-operative garments, and follow-up consultations. The size and complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience and qualifications, and whether the procedure is performed in a private hospital or accredited day facility all influence what you will pay in total.
What Do Plastic Surgeons Cost in Melbourne?
Consultation fees in Melbourne typically run between $280 and $360 for an initial appointment with a qualified plastic surgeon. Some practices offer a free preliminary enquiry call or online assessment before a paid consultation is required. At the surgical level, breast augmentation with implants generally starts around $7,190 and can reach $12,290 or more depending on implant type, size, and surgeon. Facelift procedures (rhytidectomy) that tighten and smooth the mid-face, jowls, and neck commonly range from $12,000 to $20,000. Body contouring surgery such as abdominoplasty sits in the $10,000 to $18,990 range, while complex combined breast and abdomen procedures can exceed $25,000 when all components are included.
Facial procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or meloplasty tend to be less expensive than full facelift surgery, often falling in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Revision surgery, which corrects or improves results from a previous procedure, typically costs more than primary surgery due to the additional complexity involved. Medicare may provide a partial rebate for procedures classified as reconstructive rather than purely cosmetic, so a GP referral is worth obtaining before your consultation to confirm eligibility.
Price Breakdown by Service Level
| Service Level | What You Get | Typical Price Range (AUD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | In-person assessment, procedure discussion, personalised quote, referral review | $280 – $360 | All patients before committing to any procedure |
| Standard | Single procedure, accredited day facility, experienced surgeon, standard implants or technique | $7,190 – $12,290 | Breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction |
| Premium | Complex single procedure, private hospital, senior or specialist surgeon, extended post-operative care | $12,290 – $20,000 | Facelift (rhytidectomy), abdominoplasty, breast reduction, facial reconstruction |
| High End / Combined | Multiple procedures in one surgery, private hospital admission, specialist anaesthetist, comprehensive aftercare package | $20,000 – $35,000+ | Combined breast and abdomen surgery, mummy makeover, revision procedures, complex body contouring |
What Affects the Cost of Plastic Surgeons in Melbourne?
Surgeon qualifications and experience
A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) with a sub-speciality in plastic surgery will charge more than a general cosmetic physician. That fee difference reflects years of additional training and a track record across a wide range of surgical cases.
Procedure complexity and duration
Longer procedures require more theatre time, more anaesthetic, and more post-operative monitoring. A facelift that tightens and smooths multiple tissue layers takes considerably more time than a single-site liposuction, and the surgical fee reflects that difference directly.
Facility type
Day surgery in an accredited facility costs less than an overnight or multi-night admission to a private hospital. Combined procedures often require a hospital stay, which adds hospital accommodation, nursing care, and pharmacy costs to the overall fee.
Implant and material costs
For breast augmentation, the brand, size, and type of implant (round vs anatomical, textured vs smooth) affect the price. Premium implants from established manufacturers add $1,000 to $3,000 to the overall cost compared to lower-tier alternatives.
Post-operative care requirements
Some procedures require several weeks of follow-up appointments, compression garments, and lymphatic drainage massage. These items may or may not be included in the quoted surgical fee. Always confirm what is and is not covered before signing any agreement.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
- Obtain a GP referral before your consultation. This is required for Medicare rebate eligibility on reconstructive procedures and ensures your medical history is properly communicated to the surgeon.
- Book consultations with at least two FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons. Bring a list of questions covering the full fee breakdown, including anaesthetist fees, hospital fees, and post-operative costs.
- Request an itemised written quote that separates the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, facility fee, implant costs (where applicable), and follow-up care. This makes comparison between practices straightforward.
- Check whether the quoted fee includes post-operative garments, dressings, and the standard number of follow-up appointments. Items removed from the quote can reappear as additional charges after surgery.
- Confirm the cancellation and rescheduling policy before paying any deposit. Most reputable Melbourne practices require a deposit when booking a surgical date, and policies on refunds vary.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- A surgeon who cannot provide a clear, itemised written quote covering all components of the overall fee before you commit.
- Consultation fees waived entirely with pressure to book surgery at the same appointment. A proper assessment takes time and should not be rushed.
- Quoted prices that are significantly below the standard market range without a clear explanation of what has been excluded from the fee.
- No verifiable FRACS (Plastic Surgery) qualification. Check the surgeon’s registration on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register before proceeding.
- Before-and-after photos that appear unverified, watermarked from overseas clinics, or inconsistent with the surgeon’s stated specialty area.
- Pressure to use medical finance products at the consultation without being given adequate time to consider the full cost and recovery implications at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plastic surgeons cost in Melbourne on average?
The consultation fee for an initial appointment generally sits between $280 and $360. Surgical fees depend on the procedure. Breast augmentation with implants averages $8,490 to $12,290, facelifts range from $12,000 to $20,000, and combined procedures can reach $35,000 or more when all components, including anaesthetist and hospital fees, are included in the overall figure.
Why are some plastic surgeons prices so much cheaper?
Lower prices can reflect a less experienced surgeon, a non-accredited facility, the exclusion of anaesthetist or hospital fees from the quoted figure, or implants from lower-tier manufacturers. In some cases, cheaper quotes are structured to look competitive but exclude several components that appear as separate charges later. Comparing itemised quotes is the most reliable way to identify genuine price differences.
Is it worth paying more for plastic surgeons in Melbourne?
For procedures that involve surgical risk, general anaesthetic, and permanent physical changes, the surgeon’s qualifications, the facility’s accreditation, and the quality of post-operative care are directly relevant to your outcome. Paying more for a verified, experienced FRACS-qualified surgeon in an accredited hospital generally reduces the risk of complications and the likelihood of requiring revision surgery, which costs more than the original procedure.
Getting clear on the full cost structure before booking anything saves a significant amount of confusion later. Request itemised quotes, verify your surgeon’s credentials on AHPRA, and confirm exactly what post-operative care is included in the fee. Patients who approach the process methodically, with at least two independent consultations and written quotes in hand, are best placed to make a sound decision about both the procedure and the provider.
