Head-to-head · 2026

Dr Steven Liew vs A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos

Side-by-side comparison: AHPRA Specialist Register status, ASPS membership, specialisations, hospital affiliations and years in practice. Both in Sydney. We list FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons only. Cross-check both surgeons at ahpra.gov.au before any consultation. Verified 11 June 2026.

The Health Desk · Editorial team, aged care + dental + plastic surgery + dermatology + weight-loss + psychology · Updated 11 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

At a glance

The headline differences

  • Both surgeons practise in Sydney.
  • Clinic: Dr Steven Liew operates from Shape Clinic; A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos from Sydney Plastic Surgery (Dr Tim).
  • Dr Steven Liew additionally offers: blepharoplasty, breast aesthetics, non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
  • A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos additionally offers: breast augmentation, body contouring, male plastic surgery.
  • Dr Steven Liew is also an ASAPS (Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) member; the other is FRACS + ASPS only.
  • Hospital affiliations: Dr Steven Liew operates at St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney, St Vincent's Clinic; A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos at Westmead Private Hospital.

Comparison

Side-by-side

Metric Dr Steven Liew A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos
City / suburbDarlinghurst, SydneyPyrmont, Sydney
ClinicShape ClinicSydney Plastic Surgery (Dr Tim)
AHPRA Specialist RegisterYes (FRACS Plastic Surgery)Yes (FRACS Plastic Surgery)
MembershipsFRACS, ASPS, ASAPSFRACS
Years in practice2124
SpecialisationsFacelift, Rhinoplasty, Blepharoplasty, Breast aesthetics, Non-surgical facial rejuvenationFacelift, Breast augmentation, Body contouring, Male plastic surgery, Rhinoplasty
Hospital affiliationsSt Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney, St Vincent's ClinicWestmead Private Hospital
Consultation feeOn enquiryOn enquiry

Surgeons verified against ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory + AHPRA Specialist Register. Specialisations, clinic name and hospital affiliations sourced from ASPS member profiles. Always confirm current AHPRA registration at ahpra.gov.au before booking any procedure. AHPRA s133 prohibits before-and-after image use in advertising; we list quality signals (Specialist Register status + ASPS / ASAPS membership) instead.

Dr Steven Liew

Standout strengths

  • First Australian admitted as fellow in plastic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York. Founder of Shape Clinic since 2005.
  • Facelift
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Blepharoplasty

AHPRA-listed Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Shape Clinic in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Known for facelift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty.

See full profile →

A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos

Standout strengths

  • Head of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery at Westmead Private. Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Notre Dame Sydney.
  • Facelift
  • Breast augmentation
  • Body contouring

AHPRA-listed Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Sydney Plastic Surgery (Dr Tim) in Pyrmont, Sydney. Known for facelift, breast augmentation, body contouring.

See full profile →

Common questions

FAQs

Which is the better plastic surgeon, Dr Steven Liew or A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos?

Both are FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons on the AHPRA Specialist Register, so the baseline quality signal is matched. "Better" depends on your specific procedure. Dr Steven Liew lists facelift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty among their specialisations; A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos lists facelift, breast augmentation, body contouring. Always cross-check current AHPRA registration at ahpra.gov.au and ASPS membership at plasticsurgery.org.au before booking. Surgeon case volume in your specific procedure is the strongest outcome predictor - ask each how many they have performed.

Are Dr Steven Liew and A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos both on the AHPRA Specialist Register?

Yes - we only list FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Dr Steven Liew practises as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Shape Clinic in Darlinghurst. A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos practises at Sydney Plastic Surgery (Dr Tim) in Pyrmont. Verify both at ahpra.gov.au under Specialty: Plastic Surgery before any consultation.

What is the difference in experience between Dr Steven Liew and A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos?

A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos has been in practice 24 years versus 21 for the other. Years in practice is a useful proxy but not a guarantee - what matters most is specific case volume in the procedure you want, and the surgeon's willingness to discuss complications transparently. See our 10 questions to ask at consultation guide.

Which hospitals do Dr Steven Liew and A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos operate at?

Dr Steven Liew: St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney, St Vincent's Clinic. A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos: Westmead Private Hospital. Following the 2023 AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard, higher-risk cosmetic procedures must be performed in NSQHS-accredited hospitals, not office-based theatres. Confirm hospital accreditation as part of your consultation.

Are they both ASPS members?

FRACS, ASPS, ASAPS (ASPS member) for Dr Steven Liew. FRACS for A/Prof Tim Papadopoulos. ASPS membership is restricted to FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons - all ASPS members are on the AHPRA Specialist Register by membership rule. ASAPS membership additionally signals focus on aesthetic surgery. ISAPS is the international equivalent.

Next step

Prepare for either consultation

Take our 10 questions to ask any plastic surgeon at consultation. Sourced from the AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023 and ASPS patient guidance. Print and bring to both consultations.

10 surgeon questions →