Prices: Australia: AUD 9500 to 18500 all-inclusive by theatre time, 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 2330 to 3130 per site (converted), 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. Per-site, not a full multi-area package. Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book.
Short answer: Liposuction isn’t weight loss surgery (Better Health Channel (opens official site)). Serious complications can include blood clots and infection in the fatty tissues (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
- Uneven results, numbness, fluid collections, scarring and baggy skin (healthdirect (opens official site); Better Health Channel (opens official site))
- Serious complications that are less common: blood clots, infection in the fatty tissues, and burns if ultrasound is used (healthdirect (opens official site))
- 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 liposuction overseas for the full risks guide.
Published estimate ranges (sourced)
Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book.
| Location | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUD 9500 to 18500 | All-inclusive by theatre time (CosmeticSurgeryHelp (opens official site)), as of 23 Oct 2026 |
| Thailand | AUD 2330 to 3130 | Per site (Yanhee tumescent / VASER bands, converted from THB), as of 23 Oct 2026. Converted at rate stated in CSV notes; verify RBA on publish day. |
What affects the price
- Number of areas treated and volume of fat removed
- Technique (for example traditional, ultrasound-assisted or laser-assisted - ask what your quote covers)
- Whether it is combined with a tummy tuck or other procedures
- Surgeon and hospital fees, anaesthetic, garments and follow-up
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 liposuction is generally not covered. Confirm with your fund. |
| 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 recovery before you’re cleared to fly
- time off work and pressure garments for several weeks (Better Health Channel (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 and savings calculator. Destination guide: liposuction in Thailand and Thailand costs (AUD 2330 to 3130 per site converted from THB, as of 23 Oct 2026).
How to compare quotes
- Compare the same body areas and technique, and whether other procedures are bundled.
- 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 liposuction cost in Australia?
Australia: AUD 9500 to 18500 all-inclusive by theatre time, 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.
Is liposuction a weight loss procedure?
No. It isn’t a substitute for diet and exercise (Better Health Channel (opens official site)).
Does Medicare cover liposuction?
Generally no for elective cosmetic surgery, and Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas.
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, Liposuction: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/procedures/surgery/liposuction
- Better Health Channel, Liposuction: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/liposuction
- 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.