Procedure guide · 13 listed FRACS surgeons
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) in Australia: cost, recovery and surgeon checklist
Rhinoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the nose, performed for cosmetic refinement, functional breathing correction, or both. Among plastic surgery procedures it has one of the longest learning curves and one of the highest revision rates - the AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023 specifically flags rhinoplasty as a procedure that should only be performed by surgeons with documented sub-specialty training.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Rhinoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the nose, performed for cosmetic refinement, functional breathing correction, or both.
- ✓Typical Australian cost: $15,000 to $25,000 all-inclusive (Medicare MBS 41671 / 41672 (functional only) may apply).
- ✓13 FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons in our directory list rhinoplasty (nose surgery) among their specialisations.
- ✓Source: ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, Medicare Benefits Schedule. Last updated 17 May 2026.
What it is
What rhinoplasty (nose surgery) actually involves
A typical primary rhinoplasty in Australia is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited day-stay or overnight hospital. Operating time runs 2 to 4 hours. The surgeon reshapes underlying bone + cartilage to alter dorsal height, tip projection, nostril width, and (where indicated) corrects the septum to improve airflow. Closed (endonasal) and open (with a small columellar incision) techniques both exist; open is more common in Australia for moderate-to-complex cases because it gives better exposure.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty receives no Medicare rebate. Functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty for a deviated septum, turbinate reduction, repair of nasal airway collapse) attracts MBS item numbers 41671 / 41672 / 41674 and partial Medicare + private health insurance coverage. Mixed cosmetic-functional cases must clearly separate billing - your surgeon must quote the cosmetic portion separately and not bundle it into MBS-rebated items.
Revision rhinoplasty (correcting a previous nose surgery) is 30 to 50% more expensive than primary surgery because scar tissue makes anatomy harder to predict. National revision rates run 5 to 15% depending on case complexity. Choosing an experienced surgeon for primary surgery is the single biggest factor in not needing revision.
Who is a candidate
- Skeletal maturity reached (typically age 16+ for females, 17+ for males) - rhinoplasty on a still-growing nose can produce unpredictable long-term results
- Realistic expectations grounded in your own facial anatomy - your surgeon should use morphing software or 3D imaging to show what is anatomically achievable
- No active sinus disease or untreated breathing pathology
- Two-week minimum cooling-off period observed (mandatory under 2023 Medical Board reforms for cosmetic procedures)
- GP referral in hand (now mandatory for all cosmetic procedures)
- BMI within a reasonable range and any smoking ceased at least 4 weeks pre-operatively
Typical recovery timeline
Day 0-2
External splint, nasal packing in some cases. Significant swelling + bruising peaks at 48-72 hours. Sleep on back, head elevated. Avoid blowing nose.
Week 1
Splint removed at 7-10 days. Bruising around eyes fades to yellow. Most people return to desk work at 7-10 days; visible bruising can persist 2-3 weeks.
Week 2-4
External swelling reduces 60-70%. No glasses on nose bridge. No nose blowing. Avoid heavy lifting or bending.
Month 1-3
Most external swelling resolved. Sport + gym progressively reintroduced at week 4-6. Final tip refinement still happening internally.
Month 6-12
Subtle residual swelling, particularly at the tip, continues to resolve. Final shape settles around 12-18 months.
See the full day-by-day timeline: Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) recovery timeline
Cost in Australia 2026
All-inclusive primary cosmetic rhinoplasty: $15,000 to $25,000 (surgeon $9,000-$15,000 + anaesthetist $1,500-$2,500 + hospital $3,500-$5,500). Functional septoplasty Medicare-rebated; cosmetic component never rebated.
Medicare MBS items: 41671 / 41672 (functional only)
Questions to ask at consultation
- How many primary rhinoplasties have you performed? (Aim for 200+ before considering a surgeon experienced)
- What is your published revision rate?
- Will you use 3D morphing or computer imaging at the consult so I can see realistic outcomes?
- What is the total cost in writing, with surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital itemised?
- What is your protocol if I am unhappy with the result? Will revision be at cost, reduced fee or no charge?
- Which hospital will the procedure be at, and is it AHPRA / National Safety and Quality Health Service accredited?
See our complete guide: 10 questions to ask any plastic surgeon
Red flags to walk away from
- ✗ Surgeon promises a specific celebrity nose or guarantees an exact outcome
- ✗ No 3D imaging or morphing used at consultation
- ✗ Bundles cosmetic + functional billing into MBS items (illegal)
- ✗ Operates in office-based theatre rather than accredited hospital
- ✗ Pushes you to book on the day of consultation (illegal under 2023 reforms - 7-day cooling off mandatory)
- ✗ Cannot provide AHPRA Specialist Plastic Surgery registration number on request
Regulatory note
AHPRA s133 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law restricts cosmetic procedure advertising. We do not display before-and-after images or testimonials on this site. Verify any surgeon at ahpra.gov.au and cross-check ASPS membership at plasticsurgery.org.au before booking any procedure.
Directory · FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeons
13 listed surgeons who include rhinoplasty (nose surgery) in their specialisations
Cross-referenced against AHPRA Specialist Register and ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory. We list FRACS-qualified specialists only.
Melbourne · Malvern
FRACSA/Prof Graeme Southwick OAM
Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery
Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to victims of the 2002 Bali Bombing. Founder/director of MIPS. ASPS Medal 2019.
Melbourne · Brighton
FRACSMr Keith Mutimer AM
Brighton Plastic Surgery
Member of the Order of Australia (AM, 2021). Past Vice President of RACS. Former President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Melbourne · Hawthorn East
FRACSDr Patrick Briggs
Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery
Trained in plastic surgery in the USA and Ireland. Passed the UK / Ireland Intercollegiate Board Examination in Plastic Surgery in 1991.
Sydney · Pyrmont
FRACSA/Prof Tim Papadopoulos
Sydney Plastic Surgery (Dr Tim)
Head of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery at Westmead Private. Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Notre Dame Sydney.
Sydney · Double Bay
FRACSDr Kourosh Tavakoli
Dr Tavakoli Plastic Surgery
Master of Surgery in Plastic Surgery from UNSW. Reported to have performed over 10,000 breast procedures.
Sydney · Darlinghurst
FRACSDr Steven Liew
Shape Clinic
First Australian admitted as fellow in plastic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York. Founder of Shape Clinic since 2005.
Melbourne · Essendon Fields
FRACSMr Damien Grinsell
Damien Grinsell Plastic Surgery
Australian pioneer of perforator-flap microsurgery. 40+ peer-reviewed publications. Interplast volunteer surgeon (Nepal).
Sydney · Woollahra
FRACSDr Jeremy Hunt
Dr Jeremy Hunt Plastic Surgery
Spokesperson for the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training at Sydney Children's Hospital. Fellowship trained at Univers…
Sydney · Sydney CBD
FRACSDr Pouria Moradi
Dr Pouria Moradi Plastic Surgery
Microsurgical reconstruction fellowship at Charing Cross / Imperial College London. Aesthetic fellowship under Dr Per Heden at Akademikliniken, Stockholm.
Sydney · Mosman
FRACSDr Nicholas Lotz
Dr Nicholas Lotz Plastic Surgery
Australian-trained Specialist Plastic Surgeon practising on Sydney's Lower North Shore.
Melbourne · East Melbourne
FRACSProf Mark Ashton
Ashton Plastic Surgery
Past President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (2017-19). Clinical Professor at the University of Melbourne. Chair of Plastic Surgery at Epworth F…
Melbourne · Malvern
FRACSMr William Blake
Cabrini Medical Centre
I am a locally trained and educated plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
Brisbane · Newstead
FRACSDr Andrew Broadhurst
Enhance Plastic Surgery
“I pride myself on the individual care and support I provide each of my patients.
Common questions
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) - common questions
Is functional rhinoplasty Medicare-rebated?
Yes - septoplasty (MBS 41671) and turbinate reduction (41672) attract Medicare and private health insurance rebates if you have a documented breathing impairment confirmed by an ENT or your plastic surgeon. The cosmetic component (dorsum, tip, nostril shape) is never rebated. Your surgeon must quote these separately and you should never accept a quote that bundles the two into a single MBS-rebated number.
How do I know if a surgeon is qualified to perform rhinoplasty in Australia?
Search ahpra.gov.au and confirm Specialty: Plastic Surgery (FRACS). Rhinoplasty has the longest training curve in plastic surgery so also look for documented rhinoplasty fellowship training (typically 6-12 months) or formal mentorship under a senior rhinoplasty specialist. ASPS members are FRACS-qualified by membership rule; cross-check on plasticsurgery.org.au. Do not rely on title alone - "cosmetic surgeon" is not a recognised plastic surgery specialty in Australia.
When will I see the final result?
Eighty percent of swelling resolves by 3 months. Final shape, particularly at the tip where skin is thickest, takes 12 to 18 months. This is normal and is the same for every surgeon - patience with the early months is essential. Avoid judging the outcome (or considering revision) before 12 months unless there is an obvious structural issue.
What if I am not happy with the result?
First, wait at least 12 months before considering revision. The nose continues to refine for over a year. If you are still unhappy at 12 months, discuss with your original surgeon first - many surgeons offer revision at significantly reduced fee for genuine concerns. If you have lost confidence in the original surgeon, seek a second opinion from another FRACS plastic surgeon with rhinoplasty sub-specialty experience.
Can I have rhinoplasty for breathing problems only?
Yes - septoplasty (correcting a deviated septum) and turbinate reduction are purely functional procedures with Medicare rebates, no cosmetic change required. If your nose airway is impaired but the external shape is fine, a functional-only procedure costs significantly less than full rhinoplasty (typically $5,000 to $9,000 all-inclusive) and is often Medicare-rebated to substantially lower than that.