Australian plastic + cosmetic surgery FAQ

From 2023 onwards, Australian law restricts the title "Specialist Plastic Surgeon" to medical practitioners holding current AHPRA "Surgery (Plastic Surgery)" specialist registration. To qualify, the surgeon must have completed 8–12 years of postgraduate training including FRACS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Plastic Surgery). Cosmetic doctors — including GPs who perform cosmetic procedures — may NOT use the title. The distinction matters: specialist plastic surgeons train in both reconstructive + aesthetic surgery; cosmetic doctors typically perform non-surgical procedures + minor day-case work.

Search the AHPRA register at ahpra.gov.au. Look for: (1) Active registration in Medicine (the underlying medical registration); (2) Specialist registration in "Surgery (Plastic Surgery)". The listing will show name, AHPRA number, qualifications + specialty. AHPRA also lists past tribunal decisions if any. No specialist registration in Plastic Surgery = not a specialist plastic surgeon, regardless of clinic marketing claims.

Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. FRACS in Plastic Surgery indicates the surgeon completed RACS-approved specialist training including 5 years of supervised practice + the RACS fellowship exam. FRACS in another specialty (e.g. General Surgery, Orthopaedics) does NOT qualify someone as a plastic surgeon. Always check the specific specialty.

ASPS = Australasian Society of Plastic Surgeons (peak professional society, combined reconstructive + aesthetic). ASAPS = Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (aesthetic-focused subset). Most credible Australian plastic surgeons hold both memberships. ASPS members commit to a code of practice covering advertising + patient consent + outcomes reporting.

Highly variable by procedure + surgeon experience. Indicative ranges (out-of-pocket, with private health insurance): rhinoplasty $8,000–$18,000, breast augmentation $9,000–$15,000, abdominoplasty $12,000–$22,000, facelift $18,000–$35,000, blepharoplasty $4,000–$8,000. Without insurance (cosmetic-only): add ~$3,000–$8,000 hospital + anaesthetist fees. Initial consultation $200–$500 typical.

Reconstructive procedures (post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, congenital deformity repair, post-trauma reconstruction, skin cancer excision + reconstruction) are Medicare-rebated. Purely cosmetic procedures (rhinoplasty without functional indication, breast augmentation, facelift) are NOT Medicare-rebated. Some procedures sit in grey zones — your surgeon will advise based on the specific Medicare item numbers + your clinical history.

Private health insurance covers hospital + anaesthetist fees for procedures with Medicare item numbers (mostly reconstructive). Surgeon fees often have a gap. Cosmetic procedures generally have no insurance coverage. Check your specific policy + the Medicare item number for your proposed procedure before assuming coverage.

Many Australians consider Thailand, South Korea, Turkey for cosmetic procedures at 30–60% lower cost. Risks: harder follow-up + revision in Australia, less recourse for complications (Australian medical indemnity doesn't cover overseas surgery), variable surgeon qualifications + facility standards. Some destinations have excellent options + others have serious safety concerns. Travel insurance specifically for medical tourism is essential. Discuss the trade-offs with an Australian surgeon before committing.

Five priority filters: (1) AHPRA specialist registration in Surgery (Plastic Surgery) — the non-negotiable baseline. (2) FRACS + ideally ASPS membership. (3) Surgical volume in YOUR specific procedure — ask: "How many of this procedure have you done in the last 12 months?" (4) Hospital affiliations at credible private hospitals. (5) Personal fit + clear communication. Use our sortable directory to filter.

At least 2 — ideally with different surgeons for comparison. The first consultation is your screening: does the surgeon listen, explain risks clearly, refuse to over-promise? The second is your decision: detailed surgical plan, post-op recovery expectations, written cost estimate. Avoid surgeons who promise results without examination or who pressure you to book immediately. A 2-week cooling-off between consult + surgery date is standard for elective cosmetic work.

Top 10: AHPRA specialty + AHPRA number? FRACS + ASPS + ASAPS membership? How many of THIS procedure in the last 12 months? Complication rate + revision rate for this procedure? Hospital + anaesthetist? Written total cost including all fees? Recovery time + return-to-work? Risk + complication management plan? Revision policy if results don't meet expectations? Will I see you (not a junior surgeon) on the day of operation?

Major red flags: (1) Surgeon advertising "Specialist Plastic Surgeon" without AHPRA specialist registration. (2) Pressure to book immediately, especially with deposit. (3) Refusal to discuss complication rates or revision policy. (4) Operating only at standalone day-procedure facilities (not credible private hospitals). (5) "Influencer surgery" marketing through social media. (6) No 2-week minimum cooling-off period. (7) Aggressive advertising of "before/after" without informed consent disclosure.

AHPRA Specialist Register (ahpra.gov.au) — every surgeon entry verified to hold current "Surgery (Plastic Surgery)" specialist registration. ASPS + ASAPS member directories cross-checked. FRACS verified against the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. See our methodology + press kit for downloadable CSVs.

Yes — entirely free. No sign-up, no email capture, no paid placements. We make money via display advertising + a (planned) premium provider profile tier. Rankings are not for sale.

No. Operated by Boring Ventures Pty Ltd (ABN 67 671 943 758), an independent Australian company. No commercial relationship with any specific surgeon, clinic or hospital. All ranking + comparison logic is published transparently in our methodology.