Rhinoplasty in Melbourne.

Procedure guide

What is rhinoplasty (nose job)?

Rhinoplasty (sometimes called a 'nose job') is a surgical procedure that changes the shape, size, or proportion of the nose. It is one of the most technically demanding cosmetic procedures because the nose sits in the middle of the face, every millimetre is visible, and the underlying structures — nasal bones, upper and lower lateral cartilages, septum, and overlying skin — interact in complex ways. A purely cosmetic rhinoplasty addresses concerns like a dorsal hump, a wide or bulbous tip, asymmetry, or a deviated profile. A functional rhinoplasty (or septorhinoplasty) addresses obstructed breathing caused by a deviated septum, internal valve collapse, or post-traumatic deformity. Many procedures combine both. In Australia, rhinoplasty is most commonly performed by specialist plastic surgeons (FRACS) and ENT surgeons (FRACS Otolaryngology), although under the AHPRA cosmetic surgery framework other registered medical practitioners may also legally perform it.

How rhinoplasty (nose job) works

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited day-surgery facility or private hospital. Most procedures take two to four hours. The surgeon makes incisions either entirely inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty) or with an additional small incision across the columella (open rhinoplasty), then carefully reshapes the underlying bone and cartilage. Common manoeuvres include reducing a dorsal hump, narrowing the bony bridge with controlled osteotomies, refining the tip cartilages with sutures or grafts, and straightening a deviated septum. Cartilage grafts are typically harvested from the septum or, in revision cases, from the ear or rib. The skin is then redraped and incisions closed with fine absorbable sutures. An external splint and internal dressings stay in place for about a week.

Who is rhinoplasty (nose job) for?

Good rhinoplasty candidates are physically and psychologically healthy adults with realistic expectations and a specific, identifiable concern about the appearance or function of their nose. Most surgeons prefer to wait until facial growth is complete, which is around 16 in girls and 17–18 in boys. The procedure is not appropriate for people seeking dramatic, model-like transformation or who are pursuing surgery in response to a recent crisis or relationship change. The AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines require a mandatory cooling-off period of at least seven days between the consultation and surgery booking, and screening for body dysmorphic disorder. Smokers are typically asked to stop at least four weeks before and after surgery to support healing.

Melbourne context

Rhinoplasty in Melbourne: market context

Melbourne's cosmetic and plastic surgery market is the second largest in Australia by both practitioner count and procedure volume. The market is anchored by long-established FRACS plastic surgery practices around East Melbourne, Collins Street, and Richmond, many of which have a strong reconstructive caseload alongside aesthetic work. South Yarra, Toorak and the inner-east are the main concentration of cosmetic-only and combined surgical-and-non-surgical clinics. Non-surgical injectable clinics are well distributed across the inner suburbs and major shopping districts. Victoria's Department of Health has historically taken a stricter approach to private day-hospital licensing than most other states, which has the side-effect of making Melbourne's day-surgery facilities particularly well-credentialed.

Where surgery is performed in Melbourne

Common surgical venues in Melbourne include Epworth Eastern in Box Hill, Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne, Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, St Vincent's Private Fitzroy, and The Avenue Hospital in Windsor. Several specialist plastic surgery groups operate purpose-built day-surgery suites — typically ACHS- or QPS-accredited — in Richmond, Hawthorn, and Toorak. Public-private affiliations matter for revision and complex cases: ask whether your surgeon has appointments at one of the major teaching hospitals (The Alfred, The Royal Melbourne) so you have continuity of care if you need hospital-grade follow-up.

Travel and access

Melbourne attracts patients from Adelaide, Hobart, regional Victoria, and Tasmania more broadly. Pricing is roughly comparable to Sydney for surgical work but tends to be slightly lower for non-surgical injectables. Several Melbourne plastic surgeons run a dedicated 'interstate care' coordinator who will book post-operative reviews, organise overnight short-stay accommodation if your insurance does not cover hospital nights, and provide written discharge plans for sharing with a GP back home. As with any interstate cosmetic travel, confirm what the surgeon will charge for video reviews vs in-person at week 6 and beyond.

Practical notes for recovery in Melbourne

Tullamarine Airport is 30 minutes from the inner-city clinic clusters in light traffic. The CBD, East Melbourne and South Yarra are walkable from each other and well served by Melbourne's tram network and the Cranbourne–Pakenham railway lines. Box Hill and Doncaster practices are best reached by tram or vehicle. Parking in inner-east Melbourne can be limited — check whether the clinic has on-site bays or validated commercial parking. For overnight stays after surgery, the area immediately around East Melbourne and Richmond has multiple medical-stay accommodation options.

Cost factors

What drives the cost of rhinoplasty (nose job)

In Australia, primary cosmetic rhinoplasty typically costs between AU$12,000 and AU$25,000 all-inclusive. The price varies based on the surgeon's experience and reputation, whether the procedure is open or closed, the complexity of the work (revision and ethnic rhinoplasty are at the upper end), the type of anaesthesia, and the venue (an accredited day-surgery facility is cheaper than a private hospital). A complete quote should itemise the surgeon's fee, the anaesthetist's fee, the facility fee, all pre-operative consultations, all post-operative reviews for at least 12 months, and the cost of any splints, dressings or take-home medications. Beware quotes that bundle these into a single low number — that's a sign the practice may charge separately for revisions or follow-up.

Recovery + practitioner

Recovery and downtime

Week one is the most uncomfortable phase: expect facial swelling, bruising around the eyes, nasal congestion (you breathe through your mouth while internal dressings are in place), and disturbed sleep. The external splint is removed at the seven-to-ten-day mark — most patients are surprised the result already looks reasonable, though the tip remains noticeably swollen. From week two onward, bruising fades to a yellow-green and most patients return to desk-based work, makeup-camouflaged. Light cardio resumes at three weeks, contact sports and weight-training at six. Subtle residual swelling — particularly in the tip — takes 9 to 12 months to fully resolve, and the final, definitive shape settles by 18 months. Sun protection on the nose is critical for the first six months to avoid pigmentation changes.

Choosing a surgeon in Melbourne

For rhinoplasty, look for a specialist plastic surgeon (FRACS, Plastic & Reconstructive) or ENT surgeon (FRACS, Otolaryngology Head & Neck) with a high-volume rhinoplasty practice — typically meaning at least 50 cases per year. Confirm AHPRA registration on the official register. Ask how often they perform open vs closed, primary vs revision, and how often they take on cases similar to yours. Australian plastic surgeons are members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS); facial-focused surgeons may also belong to the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Avoid surgeons who refuse to discuss complications openly or who pressure you to book on the day of consultation — both are red flags.

Before you book

• Confirm your surgeon's AHPRA registration on the public register and check the registration is unrestricted.
• Ask for the surgeon's annual rhinoplasty case volume (not their total surgical volume).
• Request to see before-and-after examples of patients with starting anatomy similar to yours.
• Get a written, itemised quote covering surgeon, anaesthetist, facility, and all follow-up appointments for 12 months.
• Confirm the clinic's revision policy in writing — what is included, what is charged, and over what timeframe.
• Ask which day-surgery facility or hospital the procedure is performed in, and confirm it is accredited (ACHS or ISO).
• Use the mandatory seven-day cooling-off period to think — do not be pressured to book on consultation day.

Red flags

• Promotional 'package deals', time-limited discounts, or financing language that creates urgency.
• Before-and-after photos shown on a surgical procedure page in any Australian advertising — this breaches AHPRA guidelines.
• Patient testimonials displayed in connection with rhinoplasty — also a guideline breach.
• Reluctance to specify where the surgery will be performed, or use of an unaccredited facility.
• Refusal to provide a written, itemised quote, or aggressive sales tactics during the consultation.