01Article · Breast augmentation cost
What changes —
the final figure.
Quoted costs for breast augmentation in Melbourne vary by tens of thousands of dollars across different practices. That spread is partly real (implant choice, anaesthesia, lift combination) and partly accounting (what is itemised, what is bundled). This article walks through the variables that actually move the figure and the line items a complete written quote should include.
02In short
The final figure is the sum of six itemised line items, moved by six clinical variables. The biggest movers are whether a lift is combined with the augmentation, the implant brand and product line, and the length and complexity of the anaesthetic. A headline price that does not itemise these things is a starting position, not a quote.
03The clinical variables
What actually —
moves the cost.
Six variables, all decided at consultation, generally account for the variation in a final written quote.
- 01Implant choice — brand, shell, fill (silicone gel vs saline), profile, and shape. All TGA-regulated; warranty profiles differ.
- 02Placement — sub-fascial (under the connective-tissue layer) or sub-muscular (under the muscle). Each has different theatre time and recovery implications.
- 03Whether a lift is combined — an augmentation-mastopexy is a longer operation with two procedures' worth of consumables, time, and follow-up.
- 04Anaesthesia choice — general anaesthesia with an experienced anaesthetist is standard for primary augmentation. Length of anaesthetic time changes the fee.
- 05Facility — accredited day-surgery facility versus overnight hospital admission; this is informed by your anaesthetic risk profile and the planned operation.
- 06Whether the case is revision rather than primary — revision augmentation is technically more demanding and longer in theatre.
For the broader clinical context around implant sizing, see our longer-form companion breast augmentation in Melbourne — choosing implant size honestly. For the full procedure overview, see the breast implants pillar page.
04The line items in a complete quote
Seven things —
worth seeing in writing.
A complete written quote for a primary breast augmentation in Australia generally itemises seven things. If any are missing or only mentioned verbally, ask for them in writing before committing to a date.
- 01Doctor's fee — operating time, planning, and the standard follow-up window of reviews.
- 02Anaesthetist's fee — billed separately by the anaesthetist's practice; varies with the length and complexity of the anaesthetic.
- 03Theatre and facility fee — covers nursing, sterile equipment, recovery, and overnight stay if required.
- 04Implant cost — the TGA-regulated devices themselves. Cost varies with brand and product line but is a fixed itemised charge.
- 05Assistant fee — when an appropriately qualified medical practitioner assists in theatre; generally itemised.
- 06Consumables and post-operative supplies — sutures, dressings, post-surgical bra, take-home analgesia where relevant.
- 07Follow-up reviews — typically reviews at one week, six weeks, three months, and the twelve-month surveillance check.
05What TGA regulation means for cost
Why implant cost —
is not a soft number.
Every breast implant used in Australia must be registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and meet the standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The implant itself is a regulated medical device with a fixed wholesale cost per pair, traceable serial numbers, and ongoing post-market surveillance.
What this means in practice is that the implant cost in your quote is not a number we set — it is set by the manufacturer and passed through. The variable on this line is which implant has been chosen, not how aggressively the price has been marked up. Patients sometimes assume there is room to negotiate this line; there generally is not, because the device itself is a regulated input cost.
06The non-negotiable steps
The same protections —
regardless of price.
Breast augmentation in Australia operates under the cosmetic surgery framework introduced by the Medical Board of Australia in July 2023. These steps apply to every cosmetic breast procedure, regardless of the headline figure on the quote.
- 01A referral from your usual GP, independent of the operating practice.
- 02At least two consultations, with at least one face-to-face.
- 03A psychological screening using a validated tool, looking for body dysmorphic disorder or other underlying concerns.
- 04A seven-day cooling-off period between the second consultation and the operation.
The full guideline document is published by the Medical Board of Australia and is freely available. The AHPRA register lets you verify the credentials of any operating doctor in Australia before you book a consultation.
07Medicare and private health
Where rebates —
do not apply.
Dr Nara is a cosmetic doctor — Medicare rebates and private health insurance do not contribute to elective cosmetic breast augmentation. The Medicare Benefits Schedule does include specific items for breast reconstruction after mastectomy and a narrow set of clinically necessary presentations, but these are assessed independently by your GP based on clinical criteria. The published item descriptors are searchable on the MBS Online portal.
Patients who think their case may meet those criteria should raise this with their usual GP first. If they do, that is a separate clinical pathway and is not what we offer at RevAesthetic.
08Where consultations happen
Three states —
one operating location.
Dr Nara consults at Chadstone in Melbourne (Victoria), Cooee in Tasmania, and Stepney in South Australia. Surgery itself takes place at our accredited Melbourne theatre, regardless of where you have consulted. The quote is the same in all three states because the surgical cost inputs do not change. Travel and accommodation are your own arrangement.
More on each location is on the Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide pages.
09Risks & considerations
Cost does not —
buy out risk.
A higher quote does not eliminate the inherent risks of surgery, and a lower quote does not increase them in any straightforward way. The recognised risks of breast augmentation include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, sensation changes (sometimes permanent), wound healing issues, capsular contracture, implant rupture, rippling visible through thin tissue, the possibility of needing revision surgery, and the small recognised risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is monitored by the TGA.
Most patients will not experience most of these complications. The full list of risks is on our risks of surgery page, and we recommend reading it before the second consultation. Results vary from patient to patient as each case is unique with its intrinsic risks and expectations.
10Frequently asked questions
Questions patients —
actually ask.
Why is there such a wide range published online?
Because what is being quoted often varies. Some published figures are 'doctor's fee only' and exclude anaesthetic, theatre, and implant cost. Others are a fully itemised inclusive figure. The two are not comparable without seeing the line items. A formal written quote is only provided after your individual consultation, by Cate, the practice manager.
Does private health insurance contribute?
Dr Nara is a cosmetic doctor — private health insurance and Medicare rebates do not apply to elective cosmetic breast augmentation. There are very narrow Medicare item numbers that apply only to specific clinical presentations (for example, reconstruction after mastectomy) and these are assessed independently by your GP, not by us.
Why is a combined lift-and-implant operation more expensive?
Because it is two procedures performed under one anaesthetic. The operating time roughly doubles, the consumables list grows, and the follow-up reviews are more involved because two healing processes are being monitored. The price difference reflects real additional clinical work, not a markup.
Is a cheaper quote from overseas a real saving?
It is rarely an apples-to-apples comparison. The quoted figure overseas often excludes the anaesthetist, post-operative reviews back in Australia, the cost of travel and accommodation, and time off work. Most importantly, if a complication arises after you return home, the operating practice is not local, and the Australian doctor providing your follow-up may not have access to the implant records, operative notes, or relevant device documentation. The TGA's breast implant guidance is worth reading before considering any procedure overseas.
What is the BIA-ALCL surveillance line in the quote?
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare lymphoma associated with certain implant surfaces. The TGA maintains public guidance and a surveillance program. The standard package at RevAesthetic includes a twelve-month surveillance review as part of the follow-up window.
What is the realistic budget I should plan for?
Breast augmentation pricing in Australia varies considerably and any all-up figure depends on the variables above. Patients should expect a written, itemised quote at the end of their second consultation rather than a same-day verbal number. We do not publish a headline price because the honest answer depends on your individual assessment, your implant choice, and the procedure plan.
11How to begin
Next steps —
if you are researching.
The first step is a referral from your usual GP — independent of the operating practice — followed by an in-person consultation with Dr Nara. The written, itemised quote is provided at the end of the second consultation by Cate, the practice manager. There is no same-day pressure and no booking-deadline discount. Take your time, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before you commit to anything.
You can begin a confidential enquiry at any time. RevAesthetic is located at Chadstone Shopping Centre, G 120A / 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148, with alternate consultation locations in Cooee (Tasmania) and Stepney (South Australia).
12About the practitioner
Dr Kishen
Nara.
Dr Kishen Nara is a registered medical practitioner. He sees patients across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. The team at RevAesthetic includes practice manager Cate, Patient Liaison Jenny, and registered nurses, all involved in supporting your enquiry.
- MBBSBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — Monash University
- FACCSM(Surg)Surgical Fellow, Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine
- AHPRARegistered medical practitioner — General Registration MED0001201549
13Continue reading
More from
the journal.
- 2026 Recovery from breast augmentation — what the first six weeks actually feel like
A realistic week-by-week guide to recovery after breast augmentation in Melbourne. Chest-band wear, driving return, exercise restrictions, and the emotional honest notes from the first six weeks. - 2026 Breast augmentation in Melbourne — choosing implant size honestly
How implant size is actually decided at consultation — tissue check, frame width, soft tissue thickness, and lifestyle — written for patients researching breast augmentation. - 2026 Nipple Inversion Correction — When to Operate, and When Not
Inverted nipples are common — present in under 9% of the population. A plain-language guide to when correction is appropriate, when it isn't, and what the published evidence shows.
Disclaimer: All cosmetic procedures have inherent potential risks and complications. We encourage you to seek a second opinion from a qualified medical professional before any procedure. Material on this page is educational in nature and is not generalisable — outcomes vary significantly between patients depending on genetic composition, medical history and individual circumstances. Dr Kishen Nara — MBBS, FACCSM(Surg), AHPRA Registration MED0001201549. General Registration.