Breast Implant Cost in Australia: What to Expect

For patients considering breast augmentation mammaplasty, cost is one of the first practical questions that comes up. Breast implant cost in Australia is not a single fixed figure. It varies between patients, between practices, and between the type of implants selected, which can make researching the procedure feel difficult to navigate.

This article outlines the components that contribute to breast implant cost in Australia, the typical price range patients can expect, and the factors that influence the final figure. It also covers the role of Medicare and private health insurance, which apply only in specific clinical circumstances.

What Is Included in the Cost of Breast Implants?

When researching breast implant cost in Australia, it helps to understand that the figure published or quoted by a practice generally includes several distinct components. A complete breast augmentation mammaplasty cost is made up of:

1. The surgeon’s fee: The surgeon’s fee reflects the level of training, experience, and complexity involved in performing the procedure. Only a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, registered with AHPRA and holding Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), is recognised as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Australia. Verifying a surgeon’s credentials through the AHPRA public register before proceeding with any surgical procedure is strongly recommended.
2. The anaesthetist fee: Breast augmentation mammaplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist will charge a separate fee, which is typically based on the duration of the procedure.
3. Hospital and theatre fees: Breast augmentation mammaplasty is performed in an accredited hospital or day surgery facility. These charges cover the use of the operating theatre, nursing staff, and any overnight stay if required.
4. The cost of the breast implants: The implants themselves are a significant component of the overall cost. The type, profile, size, and manufacturer of the implants selected all influence this figure. Modern implants from established manufacturers, such as Motiva, are typically priced in the higher range due to the materials, design, and warranty provisions offered.
5. Post-operative care: Costs associated with recovery, including surgical support garments, follow-up consultations, and any prescribed medications, should also be factored into the overall financial planning.

Typical Price Range for Breast Augmentation Mammaplasty in Australia

Providing a precise figure for breast implant cost in Australia without a formal consultation is not possible, as pricing is highly individual. That said, as a general guide, breast augmentation mammaplasty in Australia typically ranges from approximately $12,000 to $20,000 or more in total, depending on the factors outlined above. This figure generally encompasses the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist fee, hospital charges, and the implants themselves.

Patients are advised to be cautious of practices advertising significantly lower prices that exclude major cost components from the headline figure. Under the Australian Consumer Law and AHPRA’s advertising guidelines, the advertised price for a procedure should reflect the total cost, not a partial figure that omits anaesthetist or hospital fees.

Costs in Queensland are broadly in line with national averages, though individual quotes will vary between practices and patients. The only reliable way to understand breast implant cost for an individual situation is to book a consultation with a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. A detailed, itemised quote should be provided following that assessment.

Factors That Influence Breast Implant Cost

Several factors contribute to variation in the overall cost of breast augmentation mammaplasty between patients.

1. Implant type: Modern breast implants are typically made of silicone gel or saline. Silicone gel implants are more commonly used in Australia and generally sit in the higher end of the cost range. Within the silicone category, different manufacturers and implant generations vary in price. Dr Terrence Scamp exclusively uses Motiva implants, which are a specific category of silicone implant with established warranty provisions.
2. Surgical complexity: Not all breast augmentation mammaplasties are the same. Some patients require a more complex surgical plan, for example where significant asymmetry needs to be addressed, where the chest wall anatomy is unusual, or where additional procedures such as a breast lift are being performed concurrently. More complex procedures take longer in theatre and require more detailed planning, which is reflected in the cost.
3. Combined procedures: A breast augmentation mammaplasty can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures, most commonly a breast lift (mastopexy) where the breast tissue has stretched or sagged. Combined procedures involve more time in theatre and a longer recovery period, and the cost reflects this additional complexity.
4. Surgeon experience and qualifications: The fee of a Specialist Plastic Surgeon reflects the level of training and experience involved in their qualification. Specialist Plastic Surgeons undergo at least 12 years of medical and surgical training, including specialised training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. This is distinct from a “cosmetic surgeon,” a title that is not protected under Australian law and which can be used by medical practitioners without specialist surgical training. The difference in qualification is often reflected in the fee.

Does Medicare Cover Breast Implants?

In most cases, breast augmentation mammaplasty for cosmetic reasons is not covered by Medicare. Cosmetic breast augmentation mammaplasty, performed primarily for aesthetic reasons, falls outside the criteria for Medicare rebates.

However, there are specific clinical circumstances in which Medicare item numbers may apply. These include:

• Breast reconstruction following mastectomy for cancer
• Correction of significant breast asymmetry or developmental conditions such as tubular breast deformity, where clinical criteria are met
• Breast implant replacement following capsular contracture or implant rupture in some cases

Where Medicare item numbers apply, private health insurance may also contribute to the hospital component of the surgical fee, depending on the level of cover held and whether the procedure meets the relevant clinical criteria.

Eligibility for Medicare and private health rebates is reviewed during the consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Patients are also encouraged to speak directly with their private health fund to confirm what their specific cover includes.

The Cost of Implant Replacement Over Time

When considering the overall financial commitment of breast augmentation mammaplasty, it is worth understanding that implants are not designed to be permanent, lifetime devices. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), breast implants are typically replaced or removed approximately every 10 to 15 years. Some implants remain in place for longer without complication, and others may require attention earlier due to complications such as capsular contracture or rupture.

This means that the cost of the original breast augmentation mammaplasty is unlikely to be the only surgical cost associated with having breast implants over a patient’s lifetime. Patients considering breast augmentation mammaplasty should factor in the possibility of future revision or replacement surgery, the cost of which will vary depending on the surgical plan at that time. For more information, please see the breast revision and replacement page.

How to Get an Accurate Breast Implant Cost Estimate

The only way to receive an accurate breast implant cost estimate is through a formal consultation with a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon will assess the patient’s anatomy, discuss the implant options that may be suitable, agree on the surgical plan, and provide a detailed quote that itemises the surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist fee, hospital charges, and implant cost.

When researching surgical options, it is worth taking the time to:

• Verify the surgeon’s credentials through the AHPRA public register
• Confirm they hold Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
• Ask for a written, itemised quote that clearly shows what is and is not included
• Understand the practice’s policy on revision surgery in the event of complications

For patients in Queensland, Dr Terrence Scamp is a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon based at 95 Upton Street, Bundall on the Gold Coast, with over 30 years of experience in plastic surgery. The practice sees patients from across South East Queensland, including those travelling from Brisbane, for whom Bundall is approximately one hour south.

To enquire about a consultation, contact the rooms on (07) 5539 1000 or visit the booking information page.

All surgery involves risk. For more information on the risks and complications associated with breast augmentation, please visit the surgery risks and complications page. This content is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified medical professional for advice specific to individual circumstances.