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Surgical procedure

Breast lift in Australia.

💰 Breast lift cost guide 2026 →

Also known as: mastopexy

A breast lift (mastopexy) is surgery to raise the position of the breast and reshape it without changing volume. It addresses ptosis (descent of breast tissue and nipple-areola position) following pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or ageing. It is often combined with augmentation in patients also seeking a volume change. Regulated under the AHPRA July 2023 cosmetic-advertising guidelines.

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Editorial illustration for our breast lift guide — cosmetic surgery procedure overview, cost, and AHPRA-registered practitioners in Australia. Decorative; not a depiction of patients or results.

By the numbers

Breast lift in Australia — at a glance

Breast lift — Australia infographic Programmatic infographic showing the typical cost, recovery, clinic count and risk profile for breast lift in Australia. Data only; not a depiction of any patient or outcome. SURGICAL PROCEDURE · AUSTRALIA Breast lift · Australia TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN COST $12,000 – $22,000 Range scaled to $50k ceiling RECOVERY (FIRST 4 WEEKS) 21 days AHPRA-LISTED CLINICS 364 across 15 cities DOCUMENTED RISKS 9 covered in our editorial guide AHPRA-compliant directory C cosmeticsurgeryclinics.com.au

Numbers reflect this directory's coverage at build time. Costs are typical Australian ranges; recovery is the median for this procedure type. AHPRA-compliant illustration only — no patient depiction.

Find breast lift

364 clinics across Australia

Listed by city, A–Z. Premium and verified clinics appear first within each city.

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Adelaide

34 clinics
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+ 25 more clinics in Adelaide →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Brisbane

34 clinics
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+ 25 more clinics in Brisbane →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Cairns

7 clinics
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Breast lift (mastopexy) in Canberra

22 clinics
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+ 13 more clinics in Canberra →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Darwin

10 clinics
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+ 1 more clinic in Darwin →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Geelong

11 clinics
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+ 2 more clinics in Geelong →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Gold Coast

31 clinics
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+ 22 more clinics in Gold Coast →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Hobart

10 clinics
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+ 1 more clinic in Hobart →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Melbourne

45 clinics
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+ 36 more clinics in Melbourne →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Newcastle

14 clinics
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+ 5 more clinics in Newcastle →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Perth

37 clinics
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+ 28 more clinics in Perth →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Sunshine Coast

14 clinics
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+ 5 more clinics in Sunshine Coast →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Sydney

71 clinics
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+ 62 more clinics in Sydney →

Breast lift (mastopexy) in Townsville

5 clinics
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Breast lift (mastopexy) in Wollongong

19 clinics
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+ 10 more clinics in Wollongong →

Editorial guide

What is breast lift?

Mastopexy reshapes the breast and lifts the nipple-areola complex to a higher position on the chest wall, addressing ptosis without changing breast volume. It is most commonly performed after pregnancy and breastfeeding (which reduce skin elasticity and stretch internal support), or after significant weight loss. The choice of skin pattern depends on the degree of ptosis: circumareolar for very mild cases, vertical (lollipop) for moderate ptosis, and the full Wise-pattern (anchor) scar for severe ptosis.

How breast lift works

Performed under general anaesthetic over 2–3.5 hours. The nipple-areola complex is repositioned upward, often on a superior or superomedial pedicle that preserves blood supply and sensation. Excess skin is removed and the breast is reshaped, with internal mesh or 'auto-augmentation' techniques sometimes used to support the upper pole. Drains are used selectively. A surgical bra is worn 24/7 for 4–6 weeks.

Who is breast lift for?

Stable-weight patients with established ptosis (nipple at or below the inframammary fold). Smokers should stop at least six weeks before surgery. Patients planning future pregnancies should consider the impact of pregnancy on a fresh mastopexy result. Patients with body dysmorphic disorder are not appropriate candidates.

What drives the cost

Typical Australian cost is $12,000–$22,000 for mastopexy alone, $20,000–$30,000+ when combined with augmentation. Quotes should be itemised. There is generally no Medicare rebate.

Recovery and downtime

Hospital stay of 1 night. Surgical bra worn 24/7 for 4–6 weeks. Most patients return to desk work after 2–3 weeks. Strenuous exercise restricted for 6 weeks. Final shape settles over 6 months. Scars mature over 12–18 months.

Choosing a surgeon

Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) registered with AHPRA. Ask about annual mastopexy volume, technique (especially how upper-pole support is achieved long-term), and revision policy. Look at un-retouched photos of their results — particularly results 1+ year post-op, since mastopexy results evolve over time.

Before you book

Red flags

What breast lift (mastopexy) costs in Australia

Itemised view of where the $12,000 – $22,000 typically goes. Quoted prices vary by surgeon experience, hospital, and case complexity — these shares are indicative.

Component Typical share Indicative range
Surgeon fee 50% $6,000 – $11,000
Anaesthetist fee 12% $1,450 – $2,650
Hospital or day-surgery fee 25% $3,000 – $5,500
Garments and supplies 3% $350 – $650
Follow-up and reviews 5% $600 – $1,100
Pathology, imaging, and other 5% $600 – $1,100
Total 100% $12,000 – $22,000

Source: editorial estimates based on Australian Medical Association advisory notes and publicly disclosed clinic schedules. Actual quotes will vary; ask your surgeon for an itemised written quote before paying any deposit.

Breast lift (mastopexy) recovery timeline

A typical recovery curve. Individual recovery varies — confirm specific milestones with your surgeon's post-operative plan.

Day 0 Day 5 Day 11 Day 21 Day 42

  1. Day 0

    Procedure day.

    No work No exercise

  2. Day 5

    Early recovery.

    No work No exercise

  3. Day 11

    Halfway point.

    Desk work OK Light only

  4. Day 21

    End of standard recovery window.

    Work OK Light only

  5. Day 42

    Final result and return to all activities.

    Work OK Normal

Risk profile for breast lift (mastopexy)

How the most-discussed risks for breast lift (mastopexy) sit on a frequency-by-severity grid. All cosmetic procedures carry risk; the goal of this view is to help you ask better consent questions, not to dismiss any single complication as unlikely.

Frequency \\ Severity MildModerateSerious
Common — — —
Uncommon —
  • Visible scarring (anchor, lollipop or circumareolar pattern)
  • Reduced or lost nipple sensation
  • Inability or reduced ability to breastfeed
  • Asymmetry between the two breasts
  • Wound healing issues, especially in smokers
  • Recurrent ptosis over time
  • Need for revision surgery
 —
Rare — —
  • Bleeding and haematoma
  • Infection

Frequency and severity classifications are editorial summaries based on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons consent literature and TGA / AHPRA guidance. Your surgeon should explain each risk individually as part of the formal informed-consent process — this matrix is a starting point for the conversation, not a substitute.

How to verify any cosmetic surgeon on AHPRA

AHPRA registration is the baseline credential check for any cosmetic procedure in Australia. The five steps below take roughly two minutes and are the single most important due-diligence step before paying a deposit.

  1. 1

    Open the AHPRA register

    AHPRA publishes a free public register of every registered medical practitioner in Australia. Open the official register — never rely on a third-party "verification" site.

  2. 2

    Search by name and "Medical Practitioner"

    Search by the practitioner's full name and select Profession: Medical Practitioner. The register returns active registrations only — if the name does not appear, do not proceed.

  3. 3

    Confirm the specialty (or its absence)

    Look at the "Specialty" field. A FRACS specialist plastic surgeon will list "Specialist Surgery — Plastic Surgery". Anyone who calls themselves a "cosmetic surgeon" without a recognised specialty is a general medical practitioner under AHPRA — that is a meaningful difference for surgical work.

  4. 4

    Check for conditions, undertakings, or restrictions

    The register flags any conditions on a practitioner's registration, including AHPRA undertakings or restrictions. Treat any flag as a reason to ask the practitioner directly what it relates to before booking.

  5. 5

    Verify hospital privileges separately

    Hospital privileges are issued by the hospital, not AHPRA. For surgical procedures, ask which accredited hospital or licensed day-procedure centre the operation will take place in, and verify the surgeon has admitting rights there.

Open the AHPRA register → How we verify our listings

By location

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By state

Breast lift (mastopexy) by state

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FAQ

Common questions

Lift, augmentation, or both?

If your breasts have descended but you are happy with the volume, a lift alone is appropriate. If volume is also a concern (especially in the upper pole), combined augmentation–mastopexy is indicated. If you have lost upper-pole fullness only and the nipple position is fine, augmentation alone may be sufficient. The right answer depends on assessment of nipple position relative to the inframammary fold.

How long do results last?

A well-executed mastopexy with appropriate internal support typically holds shape for 10+ years, but pregnancy, significant weight change, and ongoing skin ageing all contribute to recurrent descent. Patients planning future pregnancy may want to defer surgery.

What about scars?

Scarring is the major trade-off. Anchor-scar mastopexy provides the most reshaping but the most visible scars; vertical (lollipop) is less visible and works for moderate ptosis; circumareolar (donut) only suits very mild cases. Scars mature over 12–18 months.

Can mastopexy be Medicare-rebatable?

Generally not. Cosmetic mastopexy is not Medicare-funded. An exception is reconstruction following breast cancer (where contralateral mastopexy for symmetry may be funded), and rare cases of severe asymmetry causing functional issues.

Will I be able to breastfeed?

Many patients retain breastfeeding capability, particularly with techniques that preserve the inferior pedicle. A meaningful minority have reduced or no ability post-mastopexy. Patients planning future pregnancies should weigh this carefully.

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