Prices: Australian price: Price on request, get quotes from clinics. Overseas prices: Price on request, get quotes from clinics. We haven’t found a verifiable, dated public AUD price source.
Short answer: A breast lift (mastopexy) removes excess skin to reshape the breast (healthdirect (opens official site)). Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, changes in sensation, reduced breastfeeding ability and, rarely, loss of nipple or areola tissue (healthdirect (opens official site)). ASAPS advises Australian patients not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after cosmetic surgery (ASAPS (opens official site)). Medicare doesn’t cover elective and cosmetic surgery (Department of Health (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
- Haematoma or seroma, fat necrosis lumps, numbness or pain, stiff shoulder, scarring, change of breast and nipple sensation, reduced ability to breastfeed, and loss of skin including the areola and nipple (healthdirect (opens official site))
- Blood clots (DVT or pulmonary embolus) are a recognised risk of surgery (healthdirect (opens official site))
- If implants are added, implant-related risks also apply (TGA (opens official site); breast augmentation costs)
- Australia’s cosmetic surgery safeguards 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 lift in Thailand for a destination-focused risks guide.
What affects the price
- Incision pattern and how much skin is removed
- Whether implants or a reduction is combined (implant brand and ARTG status if used)
- Surgeon and hospital fees, anaesthetic, theatre time and overnight stay
- Garments, follow-up visits and what happens if you need a longer stay
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. |
| Private health insurance | Cosmetic mastopexy is generally not covered. Confirm with your fund using item numbers from any Australian quote. |
| Treatment overseas | Your fund may not cover treatment done overseas (Union Health (opens official site)). |
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 moving your arms can be uncomfortable for 2 to 3 weeks (healthdirect (opens official site)))
- travel insurance for cosmetic surgery or medical tourism insurance
- follow-up and possible revision in Australia: aftercare in Australia and revision surgery in Australia
- a buffer for problems: complications after surgery overseas
Use the trip budget planner. Destination guide: breast lift in Thailand.
How to compare quotes
- Compare the same technique, whether implants are included, and implant brand if relevant.
- Check what’s included: anaesthetic, hospital stay, garments, follow-up and longer-stay costs.
- Check the surgeon’s registration: how to choose a surgeon overseas.
- Ask the questions to ask before you book.
- Get a written recovery and flying plan.
Full trip cost beyond the procedure fee
Even when a hospital or clinic tariff is later verified, Australians should add:
- Flights (return; sometimes a second trip for staged work or bridge delivery)
- Hotel for the fly-safe window your clinician documents in writing
- Companion costs, time off work, garments, medications and follow-up visits
- Buffer for delayed healing, extra nights or a revision trip (Smartraveller (opens official site))
- Travel insurance that may still exclude elective or planned-procedure complications - read the PDS (travel insurance for surgery)
Use the trip budget planner and trip cost calculator for non-procedure travel maths only.
How to compare quotes without “best price” claims
- Same procedure labels and the same inclusions on every quote
- Named clinician and facility on the consent pathway
- Revision or remake policy in writing
- Total trip maths, not procedure-only marketing figures
- Soften “cheapest country” or “best country” searches - compare credentials, aftercare and risk, not inducements
We only publish AUD figures that sit in our verified price table with a source and access date. If status is pending, this page shows Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Methodology note
We only publish AUD figures present in our verified price table with source URL and access date. Empty or pending rows show Price on request, get quotes from clinics. FX converts, when used elsewhere on this site, cite RBA indicative rates and must be rechecked on publish day. This page does not invent package discounts, holiday inducements or “cheapest country” crowns.
Related tools (non-procedure trip maths only): trip cost calculator · currency converter · savings calculator (educational; not a quote).
Guides: choosing a surgeon · questions to ask · complications overseas · aftercare in Australia · flying after surgery.
Paying without loan marketing
Cosmetic and hair cost pages on this site do not promote surgeryloans.com.au, BNPL or loan calculators. Use savings, a card you can repay, or licensed advice from your own adviser. Neutral trip maths: trip cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a breast lift cost in Australia?
We only publish verified, dated prices. Price on request, get quotes from clinics. Ask for a written, itemised quote.
Does Medicare cover a breast lift?
Generally no for elective cosmetic surgery, and Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas.
What if the quote includes implants?
Check the implant brand and model against the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and budget for future implant surgery (TGA (opens official site)).
Why budget for a long stay overseas?
ASAPS advises Australian patients not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after cosmetic surgery because of clot risk.
Does travel insurance cover complications?
Basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism. See our cosmetic insurance guide.
What should be in a written quote?
Itemised clinician and facility fees, anaesthetic, stay length, inclusions and exclusions, revision or remake policy, and what happens if you need a longer stay.
Why does the full trip cost matter more than the procedure fee?
Flights, hotel for the fly-safe window, companion costs, time off work, insurance and a revision buffer often exceed a low procedure-only figure (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Does this site pick a best or cheapest country?
No. We soften those anchors. Compare named credentials, facility checks, aftercare at home and total trip maths.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026.
- healthdirect, Breast uplift: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/surgery/breast-uplift
- TGA, Breast implants: things to consider: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/breast-implant-hub/breast-implants-things-consider
- 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.