Prices: Australia: AUD 11000 to 16450 all-inclusive (published clinic totals), as of 23 Oct 2026 (CosmeticSurgeryHelp AU cost guide (opens official site)). Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book. Thailand: AUD 4910 to 12910 (converted from Yanhee THB; 1 night hospital), as of 23 Oct 2026 (Yanhee Hospital official plastic surgery prices (opens official site)). Converted at rate stated in CSV notes; verify RBA on publish day. Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book.
Short answer: Medicare doesn’t cover elective and cosmetic surgery (Department of Health (opens official site)), and doesn’t cover you overseas (Smartraveller (opens official site)). Breast implants aren’t lifetime devices (TGA (opens official site)). ASAPS advises Australian patients not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery because of clot risk (ASAPS (opens official site)). Smartraveller warns that fixing a procedure that goes wrong can cost more (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Risks and limitations to understand first
- Bleeding, infection, changes in nipple or breast sensation, fluid collection, rupture, and rare but serious risks including blood clots and breast implant associated cancer (healthdirect (opens official site))
- You may need another operation, and the longer you have implants, the more likely problems become (healthdirect (opens official site))
- Some implants used overseas may not be approved in Australia, and public hospitals here can remove an infected implant but won’t replace it (ASAPS (opens official site))
- Australia’s cosmetic surgery safeguards, including a GP referral, two consultations and a seven-day cooling-off period, often don’t exist overseas (ASAPS (opens official site); Ahpra (opens official site))
- Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas, and basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism (Smartraveller (opens official site))
See breast augmentation overseas for the full risks guide.
Published estimate ranges (sourced)
Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book.
| Location | Range | Unit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUD 11000 to 16450 | all-inclusive (published clinic totals) | CosmeticSurgeryHelp (opens official site), as of 23 Oct 2026 |
| Thailand | AUD 4910 to 12910 | converted from Yanhee THB; 1 night hospital | Yanhee plastic surgery prices (opens official site), as of 23 Oct 2026. Converted at rate stated in CSV notes; verify RBA on publish day. |
No loan CTAs on cosmetic pages. Add recovery stay, garments and revision buffer yourself.
What affects the price
- Implant brand, model, surface and size (check ARTG listing before you agree: TGA (opens official site))
- Surgeon and hospital fees, anaesthetic, theatre time and overnight stay
- Garments, follow-up visits and what happens if you need a longer stay
- Future replacement or removal surgery, which may happen in Australia
What Medicare and insurance cover
| Source | What it may pay |
|---|---|
| Medicare | Doesn’t cover elective and cosmetic surgery (Department of Health (opens official site)). Doesn’t cover you overseas (Smartraveller (opens official site)). |
| Private health insurance | Cosmetic breast augmentation is generally not covered. Confirm with your fund using the item numbers from any Australian quote. |
| Treatment overseas | Your fund may not cover treatment done overseas (Union Health (opens official site)). |
See health insurance gaps and Medicare and treatment overseas.
The full cost of going overseas
Add these to any overseas quote:
- flights and accommodation for weeks of recovery before you’re cleared to fly
- time off work (healthdirect notes your surgeon may ask you to take a week off work and avoid moderate exercise for 5 weeks (healthdirect (opens official site)))
- travel insurance for cosmetic surgery or medical tourism insurance
- check-ups and possible revision in Australia: aftercare in Australia and revision surgery in Australia
- a buffer for problems: what to do if surgery overseas goes wrong
Use the trip budget planner and savings calculator. Destination guide: breast augmentation in Thailand and Thailand costs (AUD 4910 to 12910 converted from THB, as of 23 Oct 2026).
How to compare quotes
- Compare the same implant brand, model, surface and size, and check ARTG listing.
- Check what’s included: anaesthetic, hospital stay, garments, follow-up and what happens if you stay longer.
- Check the surgeon’s registration: how to choose a surgeon overseas.
- Ask the questions to ask before you book.
- Get everything in writing, including a written plan for flying home.
Frequently asked questions
How much does breast augmentation cost in Australia?
Australia: AUD 11000 to 16450 all-inclusive (published clinic totals), as of 23 Oct 2026 (CosmeticSurgeryHelp AU cost guide (opens official site)). Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book. Ask for a written, itemised quote from a registered practitioner.
Does Medicare cover breast augmentation?
Generally no. Medicare doesn’t cover elective and cosmetic surgery, and doesn’t cover you overseas.
Are implants cheaper overseas?
The headline price may be lower, but add travel, weeks of recovery accommodation, insurance and the cost of fixing problems at home. Implants aren’t lifetime devices.
Should I budget for future implant surgery?
Yes. Implants are often replaced after 10 to 15 years (TGA (opens official site)).
Does travel insurance cover complications?
Basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism. See our cosmetic insurance guide.
Sources
All accessed 23 October 2026.
- TGA, Breast implants: things to consider: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/breast-implant-hub/breast-implants-things-consider
- healthdirect, Breast augmentation (breast implants): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/breast-augmentation-breast-implants
- ASAPS, Heading overseas for cosmetic surgery?: https://aestheticplasticsurgeons.org.au/news/heading-overseas-for-cosmetic-surgery-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
- Ahpra, Thinking about having cosmetic surgery?: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Information-for-the-public.aspx
- Smartraveller, Going overseas for a medical procedure: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel-essentials/travel-health/medical-tourism
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, What Medicare covers: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare/about/what-medicare-covers
- Union Health, Am I covered whilst travelling overseas?: https://unionhealth.com.au/faqs/manage-my-cover/travelling-overseas
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.