The Average Cost of Medical Procedures in 2025

Research from Compare the Market at the end of 2023 found 1 in 5 Aussies were delaying medical treatment – or avoided seeking professional help for a health issue – due to a fear of costs. The youngest generation are the most likely to put off seeking help due to money concerns.

Furthermore, data in the annual Patient Experience Survey indicates the overall percentage of people who reported not visiting the GP due to cost went up from 7% in 2022-23 to 8.8% for 2023-24. Just two years ago, in 2021-22, only 3.5% of people put off or did not see a GP when they needed to due to the cost.

Unfortunately, taking care of our health is usually not optional, which makes it a big expense you might have no say in parting with.

Knowing how much some of the most common medical procedures can cost could come in handy. You can get a rough idea of what you could be in for and, more importantly, how much of that procedure is covered by our healthcare system.

In this article, we’ll discuss the cost of Australia's most common medical procedures and offer some tips for making medical care more affordable.

On this page:

• What are the most common medical procedures in Australia?
• Common medical procedures by age
• Out-of-pocket costs explained
• What can affect the cost of medical treatment?
• The average costs of common medical procedures in Australia
• How to save money on medical procedures in 2025
• Is private health insurance worth it?
• About our Personal Loans

What are the most common medical procedures in Australia?

Based on data from sources such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), here are 10 of Australia's most common medical procedures (in no particular order).

1. Colonoscopy: Colonoscopies are widely performed to detect early colon cancer and other gastrointestinal issues. According to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, about 1 million colonoscopies are performed in Australia each year.
2. Cataract Surgery: It helps restore vision by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Each year there are more than 250,000 cataract surgeries, according to Vision Hospital Group.
3. Gastroscopy: Gastroscopies examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions. Over 400,000 gastroscopy procedures were performed in 2018-2019 according to the Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
4. Knee Replacement Surgery: With Australia's ageing population, the demand for joint replacement surgeries, particularly knee replacements, is rising. Each year more than 53,500 knee replacement surgeries take place, with this figure set to rise by 276% by 2030, according to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
5. Hip Replacement Surgery: Like knee replacements, hip replacement surgeries are common among older Australians. They help relieve pain and restore mobility. According to Medibank, more than 58,500 hip replacements were performed in Australia in 2023.
6. Hysterectomy: This surgical procedure involves the removal of a woman's uterus and is performed for various reasons, such as cancer and endometriosis. According to various sources, more than 30,000 hysterectomies are performed every year in Australia.
7. Cholecystectomy: This procedure involves surgical removal of the gallbladder and is commonly performed to treat gallstones. More than 56,000 patients had this procedure in 2021-22, according to Science Direct.
8. Appendectomy: Appendectomies are performed to remove an inflamed or infected appendix, preventing further complications such as rupture or abscess. The AIHW reports that around 50,000 Australians undergo an appendectomy each year.
9. Tonsillectomy: Tonsillectomies are surgeries performed to remove the tonsils, primarily to treat recurrent tonsillitis or sleep apnea in children. Around 48,000 tonsillectomies and/or adenoidectomies (removal of the adenoids) are performed in Australia each year, according to HCF.
10. Caesarean Section: C-sections are surgical procedures for delivering babies through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Around one-third of women giving birth for the first time in 2022 had a C-section, according to the AIHW.

See Also: The Average Cost of Dental Procedures in 2025

Common Medical Procedures by Age

The top 10 listed above are generally the most common, but the results will vary depending on the age range and even gender, as well as other factors. For example, a teenage male won’t be getting a C-section anytime soon but could be far more likely to need help with dental procedures and sports injuries.

Here are some of the most common medical procedures based on age group.

What are ‘out-of-pocket costs’?

An out-of-pocket cost is the difference between the amount a doctor charges for a medical service and what Medicare and any private health insurer pay.

Also known as a gap fee or payment, out-of-pocket costs are common but can vary significantly. If Medicare and your private health insurer contribute to your medical fee, your out-of-pocket cost is reduced.

Examples of out-of-pocket costs commonly charged in Australia include:

• Medical costs: charged by surgeons, anaesthetists or other medical specialists for their expertise.
• Hospital costs: charged for staying in the hospital and paying for things like food, accommodation, nursing and care.
• Pharmacy costs: the cost of prescribed medication provided to you or purchased by you to treat your condition.
• Prostheses costs: the cost of surgically implanted things like artificial hips or knees.

What can affect the cost of medical treatment?

As you’ll soon see, the cost of medical treatment in Australia can vary wildly from one operation to another, even for the same procedure. Some of the main reasons for this are as follows:

• Your location: Hospitals and specialists in rural and regional areas can cost more than the same procedures in urban areas, while private hospitals can also be more expensive than public ones. 
• The cost of technology and equipment: The more advanced the technology, the more expensive the procedure will likely be.
• Specialist fees: The more experienced and skilled the specialist, the higher the fees in most cases.
• Hospital fees: Your care and accommodation costs can add a big chunk to your overall bill. The more care you need, the more it will likely cost.
• The complexity of the procedure: more complex and time-consuming procedures tend to be more expensive.
• Your characteristics: certain patient characteristics, such as age, weight and overall health status, can also influence the cost of medical procedures.

The Average Costs of the Most Common Medical Procedures in Australia

Below are the average costs for each of the above medical procedures in Australia according to the Government’s Medical Costs Finder Tool.

Jump to each section:

• Average colonoscopy cost in Australia
• Average cataract surgery cost in Australia
• Average gastroscopy cost in Australia
• Average knee replacement cost in Australia
• Average hysterectomy cost in Australia
• Average hip replacement surgery cost in Australia
• Average cholecystectomy cost in Australia
• Average tonsillectomy cost in Australia
• Average caesarean section cost in Australia

Average Cost of a Colonoscopy in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists’ fees: $1,300
• Medicare covers: $610
• Insurer typically paid: $500
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $200
• Private patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 74%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $750

Colonoscopy Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of Cataract Surgery in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fee: $2,100
• Medicare covers: $810
• Insurer typically paid: $860
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $480
• Private patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 42%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $2,500

Cataract Surgery Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of a Gastroscopy in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $1,000
• Medicare covers: $450
• Insurer typically paid: $390
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $170
• Private patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 75%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $600

Gastroscopy Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $5,200
• Medicare covers:$1,900
• Insurer typically paid: $1,800
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $1,000
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 18%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $18,000

Knee Replacement Surgery Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of a Hysterectomy in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $3,100
• Medicare covers: $1,200
• Insurer typically paid: $1,100
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $5670
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 20%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $7,200

Hysterectomy Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of Hip Replacement Surgery in Australia

• Average total cost/typical specialists' fees: $5,600
• Medicare covers: $1,000
• Insurer typically paid: $1,800
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $1,000
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 16%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $20,000

Hip Replacement Surgery Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of a Cholecystectomy in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $3,100
• Medicare covers: $1,300
• Insurer typically paid: $1,100
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $500
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 19%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $4,700

Cholecystectomy Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of a Tonsillectomy in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $1,800
• Medicare covers: $460
• Insurer typically covers: $540 
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $750
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 11%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $2,300

Average Tonsillectomy Fees and Costs by State

Average Cost of a Caesarean Section in Australia

• Average total cost/Typical specialists' fees: $4,900
• Medicare covers: $2,200
• Insurer typically covers: $2,100
• Typical out-of-pocket costs: $500
• Patients with no out-of-pocket costs: 26%
• Hospital fees without insurance: $10,000

Average C-Section Fees and Costs by State

How to Save Money on Medical Procedures in 2025

Here are some practical tips for saving money on your medical expenses now and in the future.

Compare Medical Specialists

Before undergoing any medical procedure, it’s essential to compare prices from different healthcare providers, doctors and specialists. Prices for medical procedures can vary significantly between hospitals and clinics, and each specialist can charge their own set of fees, so do your research and shop around for the best prices.

Compare health insurance too

As the tables above demonstrate, out-of-pocket costs without health insurance can be in the thousands. Health insurance can be a great way to save money if you need to pay for surgery, but the ongoing costs can be very steep. For example, you can expect to pay between $125 - $291 per month for a combined hospital and extras policy on average.

Review your health insurance policy coverage to save money on medical procedures and ensure you receive maximum benefits. Different policies will have different premiums and offer different levels of coverage: you can compare policies for free using the Australian Government’s compare health insurance policies tool.

Speak to your Health Fund

Specifically ask your insurer if they cover you for the treatment you need, how much they’ll cover you for and whether there’s a waiting period or not. Get the Medicare item number from your GP or specialist and quote it to them to be sure. You can also:

• Ask if you’ll have to pay an excess or co-payment.
• Get a list of surgeons they have an agreement with.
• Get a list of hospitals they have an agreement with if any.

Stay as Fit and Healthy as Possible

Preventing health issues through regular exercise, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the need for medical procedures in the first place. Staying healthy can help prevent chronic conditions from developing, which can be costly to manage in the long run.

This obviously may not be possible for everyone, but speaking to a qualified health professional can give you some ideas for how you can keep your physical fitness as high as it can be.

Utilise Medicare and Government Subsidies if You Can

The Australian Government offers various different subsidies and programs to help eligible individuals manage their healthcare expenses. For example, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides subsidies for prescription medications, and the Medical Expenses Tax Offset can provide a tax benefit for eligible medical expenses.

If you can withstand the waiting periods that might apply in public hospitals, going through the public system for your healthcare needs can also be a good way to save money, but it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of public and private healthcare first.

Is private health insurance worth it? 

Whether you should have private health insurance depends on your health situation. While you might not think you’re likely to need private health coverage, you never really know. Health insurance is designed to provide peace of mind against the unexpected. And as you can see, the out-of-pocket costs for some of these common procedures can be in the thousands of dollars.

For more information, you can visit the Department of Health, Disability and Aging website. You may also wish to speak to a qualified financial or medical professional if you’re unsure whether or not health insurance is the right fit for you.

About our Personal Loans

Expensive medical procedures can cause financial strain during an already stressful period. If you are looking to get support for these costs, a Jacaranda Finance personal loan may be the solution. This allows you to get the money you need for your procedure and pay it back over a set period of time in manageable instalments.

Our personal loans are available for up to $25,000 and can be paid back over a period of 25 months to 36 months.

Learn more about our personal loans or speak to our customer service team.