Prices: Australia: AUD 21800 to 35000 all-inclusive (full abdominoplasty), as of 23 Oct 2026 (CosmeticSurgeryHelp AU cost guide (checked 25 Aug 2026) (opens official site)). Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book. Thailand: AUD 5330 base (converted; under 70 kg), 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. High end rises with weight surcharge; quote case-by-case. Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book.
Short answer: Recovery time drives the budget. healthdirect says to avoid straining the wounds for at least 6 weeks (healthdirect (opens official site)), and ASAPS advises Australian patients not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery because of clot risk (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
- Wound infection, fluid or blood collections that may need draining, prominent scarring, numbness that may be permanent, poor healing that may need skin grafts, and blood clots (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))
- If something goes wrong, fixing it can cost more than the original procedure (Smartraveller (opens official site))
See tummy tuck 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 21800 to 35000 | all-inclusive (full abdominoplasty) | CosmeticSurgeryHelp (opens official site), as of 23 Oct 2026 |
| Thailand | AUD 5330 | base (converted; under 70 kg) | Yanhee (opens official site), as of 23 Oct 2026. Weight surcharge applies. Converted at rate stated in CSV notes; verify RBA on publish day. |
What affects the price
- Full, mini or extended abdominoplasty, and whether muscle repair is included
- Whether liposuction is combined (see liposuction costs)
- Surgeon and hospital fees, anaesthetic, drains and overnight stay
- Compression 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)). Some medically indicated cases may be assessed differently in Australia - ask your specialist and get item numbers in writing. Doesn’t cover you overseas. |
| Private health insurance | Cosmetic abdominoplasty 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 weeks of recovery before you’re cleared to fly
- time off work, including limited lifting and core strain for at least 6 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 and savings calculator. Destination guide: tummy tuck in Thailand and Thailand costs (AUD 5330 base under 70 kg, converted from THB, as of 23 Oct 2026).
How to compare quotes
- Compare the same technique (full, mini or extended) and whether muscle repair or liposuction is included.
- Check what’s included: anaesthetic, hospital stay, garments, drains, 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Australia?
Australia: AUD 21800 to 35000 all-inclusive (full abdominoplasty), as of 23 Oct 2026 (CosmeticSurgeryHelp AU cost guide (checked 25 Aug 2026) (opens official site)). Estimates / published clinic tariffs only; not a quote you can book. Ask for a written, itemised quote.
Does Medicare cover a tummy tuck?
Generally not for elective cosmetic surgery. Ask your specialist about any medically indicated pathway in Australia. 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, and healthdirect says to avoid straining wounds for at least 6 weeks.
Does travel insurance cover complications?
Basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism. See our cosmetic insurance guide.
What should a quote include?
Technique, muscle repair if any, anaesthetic, hospital stay, garments, follow-up and what happens if you need to stay longer.
Sources
All accessed 23 October 2026.
- healthdirect, Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/procedures/surgery/abdominoplasty
- 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
- Smartraveller, Sun, sand and surgery: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/sun-sand-and-surgery
- 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.