How much does joint replacement surgery cost in Australia?

Types of AC joint surgery

In ​joint replacement surgery, part or all of a damaged joint is removed and replaced with new parts made of metal or plastic.  

​In Australia, the most common joint replacement surgery is a knee replacement, with around 980,419 procedures performed in 2022 ​(3.75 per cent of the general population). This is followed by hip replacement surgery, with around 796,686 procedures performed in 2022 (3 per cent of the general population).¹ ​Other than a slight COVID-related reduction, these numbers have been steadily increasing, ​due to an ageing population, increased rates of obesity and increased sports injuries. ​​The rise is projected to continue.

There are also types of joint surgeries where the joint isn’t necessarily replaced, such as knee reconstruction surgery. This type of surgery is usually performed to repair a ​torn ligament, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or ​cartilage.

How much does a knee replacement cost?

​​​ In 2021–22:

• Of patients with private health insurance who had surgery at a private hospital, 68% had an out-of-pocket cost for the specialists’ fees (eg. surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist).
• Patients who had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees typically paid $680.
• The state with the highest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory at 87%. The state with the lowest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was Western Australia at 45%.
• The state with the highest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory, where people typically paid $6200. The states with the lowest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees were South Australia and Western Australia, where people typically paid $350.
• Specialists’ fees were typically $4800, of which Medicare typically paid $1900 and health insurers typically paid $1800.

The out-of-pocket costs don’t include excesses or co-pays, pharmaceuticals, pre- and post-operative care or hospital fees. Hospital fees were typically $18,000, of which private health insurance usually covered most or all.⁴

How much does knee reconstruction surgery cost?

In 2021–22:

• Of patients with private health insurance who had surgery at a private hospital, 74% had an out-of-pocket cost for the specialists’ fees (eg. surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist).
• Patients who had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees typically paid $620.
• The state with the highest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory at 87%. The state with the lowest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was Western Australia at 53%.
• The state with the highest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory, where people typically paid $3100. The state with the lowest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was South Australia, where people typically paid $280.
• Specialists’ fees were typically $3800, of which Medicare typically paid $1500 and health insurers typically paid $1600.

The out-of-pocket costs don’t include excesses or co-pays, pharmaceuticals, pre- and post-operative care or hospital fees or hospital fees. Hospital fees were typically $5400, of which private health insurance usually covered most or all.⁵

How much does a hip replacement cost?

In 2021–22:

• Of patients with private health insurance who had surgery at a private hospital, 71% had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees (eg. surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist).
• Patients who had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees typically paid $690.
• The state with the highest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory at 83%. The state with the lowest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was Western Australia at 45%.
• The state with the highest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was the Australian Capital Territory, where people typically paid $3300. The state with the lowest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was South Australia, where people typically paid $350.
• Specialists’ fees were typically $5000, of which Medicare typically paid $1900 and health insurers typically paid $1900.

The out-of-pocket costs don’t include excess or co-pays, pharmaceuticals, pre- and post-operative care or hospital fees. Hospital fees were typically $20,000, of which private health insurance usually covered most or all.²

How much does a shoulder replacement (AC joint surgery) cost?

In 2021–22:

• Of patients with private health insurance who had surgery at a private hospital, 69% had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees (eg. surgeon, assistant surgeon, anaesthetist).
• Patients who had an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees typically paid $700.
• The state with the highest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was Queensland at 84%. The state with the lowest proportion of people with an out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was Western Australia at 38%.
• The state with the highest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees was NSW, where people typically paid $2500. The states with the lowest typical out-of-pocket cost for specialists’ fees were South Australia and Western Australia, where people typically paid $300.
• Specialists’ fees were typically $5300, of which Medicare typically paid $2000 and health insurers typically paid $2000.

The out-of-pocket costs don’t include excesses or co-pays, pharmaceuticals, pre- and post-operative care or hospital fees. Hospital fees were typically $19,000, of which private health insurance usually covered most or all.³