Short answer: Hip replacement is major surgery followed by months of rehabilitation. healthdirect says most people return to light activities after around 6 weeks and most normal activities after about 3 months, and some take up to 12 months to feel the full benefit (healthdirect (opens official site)). Having surgery overseas splits that recovery between two countries. We only publish verified, dated prices. Price on request, get quotes from clinics. Compare surgeons, implants, rehab plans and insurance - not marketing slogans.
Risks and limitations to understand first
From healthdirect (opens official site):
- infection
- blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
- hip dislocation, especially in the first few months
- one leg feeling shorter than the other
- nerve and blood vessel injury, swelling, stiffness and ongoing pain
Also:
- A replacement hip can wear out or dislocate years later and need more surgery (NHS (opens official site))
- RACS lists counterfeit implants, poor documentation and the cost of evacuation among the risks of surgery overseas (RACS (opens official site))
- Additional treatment back in Australia may not be covered by Medicare, the AMA warns (Better Health Channel (opens official site))
- NICE treats major surgery within the previous 4 weeks as a high-risk factor for travel-related clots (NICE CKS (opens official site))
- Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas (Department of Health (opens official site); Smartraveller (opens official site))
- Fixing a procedure that goes wrong can cost more than the original trip (Smartraveller (opens official site))
Related: hip replacement overview, hip replacement costs, knee replacement.
Side by side
| Thailand | India | Malaysia | Australia (for comparison) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartraveller overall advice | Exercise a high degree of caution (source (opens official site)) | Check live advice; levels vary by area (source (opens official site)) | Check live advice (source (opens official site)) | Home care pathway |
| Provider check | Check MD (opens official site); facility HA (opens official site) or JCI (opens official site) | Confirm registration with Indian medical authorities and hospital credentials before booking | Confirm MMC / hospital credentials before booking | AHPRA-registered specialists |
| Implant documentation | Ask for make, model, batch and stickers in English (RACS (opens official site)) | Same | Same | Same |
| Rehab split | Most physiotherapy often continues in Australia after you fly home | Same | Same | Continuous local rehab |
| Entry (summary) | From 15 Sep 2026, previous 60-day visa exemption revoked; confirm current rules (PRD (opens official site)) | Confirm current visa rules on Smartraveller | Confirm current entry rules on Smartraveller | N/A |
| Detailed guides | Thailand, Thailand safety, Bangkok | India, India safety | Malaysia, Malaysia safety | Speak with your GP / orthopaedic surgeon |
| Prices | Price on request, get quotes from clinics | Price on request, get quotes from clinics | Price on request, get quotes from clinics | Compare your Australian out-of-pocket quote |
This table is for orientation. It is not a ranking and not a price comparison until verified figures are available.
Also see hip replacement costs overseas and knee replacement costs.
Questions that matter more than the country
- Who performs the arthroplasty, and are they licensed for orthopaedic surgery?
- What implant make, model and batch will be used, and will you receive stickers and operative notes in English?
- Where is the ICU, and what is the revision or dislocation pathway in the first weeks?
- Who provides physiotherapy overseas and who continues it in Australia? See aftercare in Australia.
- When are you cleared to fly, given clot and dislocation risk? See flying after surgery and DVT risk.
- Insurance: travel insurance for surgery, medical tourism insurance, health insurance gaps, Medicare overseas.
Use how to choose a surgeon and questions to ask before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is best for hip replacement?
We don’t rank countries. Compare the named surgeon, implant documentation, rehab plan and aftercare in Australia.
How do hip replacement cost comparisons work on this site?
We only publish verified, dated prices. Price on request, get quotes from clinics. Until then, use itemised quotes and the trip budget planner.
Does Medicare cover hip replacement overseas?
No. Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas. In Australia, hip replacement is usually treated as medically necessary; compare local options first.
When can I fly after a hip replacement?
Ask your surgeon. NICE treats major surgery within 4 weeks as a high-risk factor for travel-related clots.
What about counterfeit or poorly documented implants?
RACS flags counterfeit implants and poor documentation as overseas surgery risks. Get implant details in writing before you agree.
Sources
All accessed 23 October 2026.
- healthdirect, Hip replacement: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hip-replacement
- NHS, Complications of a hip replacement: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hip-replacement/complications-of-a-hip-replacement/
- RACS, Going overseas for surgery? (patient fact sheet): https://www.surgeons.org/-/media/Project/RACS/surgeons-org/files/patient-information-resources/medical-tourism-patient-fact-sheet.pdf
- Better Health Channel, Medical tourism: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/medical-tourism
- NICE CKS, DVT prevention for travellers: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/dvt-prevention-for-travellers/management/dvt-prevention-for-travellers/
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, What Medicare covers: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare/about/what-medicare-covers
- Smartraveller, Going overseas for a medical procedure: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel-essentials/travel-health/medical-tourism
- Smartraveller, Sun, sand and surgery: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/sun-sand-and-surgery
- Smartraveller, Thailand: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/thailand
- Smartraveller, India: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
- Smartraveller, Malaysia: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia
- Thai Government PRD, Visa exemption revision: https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/538547
- Medical Council of Thailand, Check MD: https://checkmd.tmc.or.th/En
Disclaimer: The information on medicaltourism.com.au is general in nature. It isn’t medical, legal, financial or insurance advice and doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Talk to a registered health practitioner before deciding on any procedure. See our editorial policy, medical disclaimer and how we make money.