Facelift Costs NZ: Complete Price Breakdown Guide 2026

Key takeaways

• Our sourced national range for a full (SMAS or deep-plane) facelift is $18,000 – $32,000, and for a mini facelift $12,000 – $20,000.
• The quote should list the surgeon, anaesthetist, facility, pre-op tests and follow-up separately.
• Our sources don't report city-level prices. Compare written quotes rather than city averages.
• Cosmetic facelifts are generally not covered by health insurance or ACC.
• Check the surgeon's registration before you compare price.

A facelift is a major operation and quotes differ from surgeon to surgeon. This guide shows the sourced national price ranges, explains what a quote should include and what changes the price, and lists the questions to ask before you book.

Facelift price ranges in New Zealand

Eyelid surgery is included because it is often combined with a facelift. A neck lift on its own isn't priced by our sources.

Treatment	Price range (NZD)	Notes
Facelift (SMAS deep-plane)	$18,000 – $32,000	Most invasive facial procedure; 2-3 week recovery.
Mini facelift (S-lift)	$12,000 – $20,000	Shorter scar, faster recovery; less effective for severe sagging.
Upper blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)	$5,500 – $9,000	Upper lids only. Both lids adds 30-50%.
Lower blepharoplasty	$6,500 – $11,000	More complex than upper; longer recovery.

Sources for these ranges (last verified June 2026)

NZAPS surgeon fee survey 2025
NZSPRAS member rates 2025
Auckland Plastic Surgery Group published 2026
RACS Fellowship guidance

These are national ranges. Our sources don't report city-level prices, and your own quote depends on your assessment. Always ask the clinic for an itemised written quote.

Types of facelift

Mini facelift (limited incision, S-lift)

A shorter incision and less lifting of deeper tissue. Usually considered for early jowling and lower-face laxity rather than significant neck ageing.

Lower faceJawlineEarly jowls

Full facelift (SMAS or deep-plane)

Lifts and repositions the deeper muscle and connective-tissue layer as well as the skin. The surgeon will explain which technique they use and why it suits you.

Mid and lower faceDeeper tissue layersJowlsOften the neck

Neck lift

Targets the neck and jawline. It can be done on its own or combined with a facelift. Our sources don't price it separately, so ask clinics for a written quote.

Neck muscle tighteningExcess skinJawline definition

Combined procedures

A facelift is sometimes combined with eyelid surgery or fat grafting in the same theatre session. Each addition changes the theatre time and the quote.

FaceliftEyelid surgeryFat grafting

What a facelift quote should include

Ask for an itemised written quote so you can compare like with like:

Item	What to check
Surgeon's fee	The operation itself and the surgeon's planning time.
Anaesthetist's fee	Usually billed separately; depends on how long the operation takes.
Hospital or day-surgery facility fee	Theatre time, recovery room and any overnight stay.
Pre-operative assessment	Medical clearance, blood tests or an ECG if needed.
Post-operative care	Follow-up appointments, dressings, suture removal and how long reviews are included.
Medications and garments	Pain relief, antibiotics and any compression garment or head wrap.

What changes the price

Technique and extent

A mini facelift and a full SMAS or deep-plane facelift have different sourced ranges, and adding a neck lift or eyelid surgery changes the quote again.

Surgeon

Fees differ between surgeons. Check the surgeon is a vocationally registered plastic surgeon (FRACS) on the Medical Council register.

Facility and anaesthetic

Private hospital, day-surgery unit, general anaesthetic or sedation, and whether you stay overnight.

Aftercare and revisions

Whether follow-up reviews and any revision surgery are included, and for how long.

Costs people forget to budget for

• Time off work during recovery, and help at home for the first few days.
• Prescription medications and dressings, if they aren't in the quote.
• Travel and accommodation if your surgeon is in another city.
• Scar care products in the months after surgery.
• Any revision surgery that the quote doesn't cover.

Payment plans and finance

Some clinics offer payment plans or third-party finance. Ask for the full cost, fees and interest in writing before you agree. Terms change often and differ between clinics and lenders, so we don't list rates or repayment amounts.

Questions to ask before you sign

What is the total amount I will pay, including all fees and interest?
Is there an establishment fee, account fee or late-payment fee?
What happens if I miss a payment, or the promotional period ends before I have paid it off?
Is the finance provided by the clinic or by a third-party lender, and is that lender a registered financial service provider?
If I need further surgery or a revision, is that covered by the same plan?
Can I pay it off early without a penalty?

Under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, a lender must give you written disclosure of the costs before you are bound. If something is unclear, a free financial mentor service such as MoneyTalks can go through it with you.

Health insurance and ACC

Whether insurance pays anything towards a facelift depends entirely on your policy: the level of cover, any waiting periods, pre-existing condition exclusions and whether the treatment is classed as medically necessary or cosmetic. Cosmetic treatment is usually excluded.

Before you book, ask your insurer for written pre-approval that names the procedure, the provider and the amount they will pay. Ask the clinic for the treatment codes your insurer needs.

ACC covers treatment for injuries it accepts, not elective or cosmetic treatment. If you think an injury caused the problem, ask your GP or dentist whether a claim can be lodged before treatment starts.

Questions to ask your surgeon

• Is the quote all-inclusive: surgeon, anaesthetist, facility, pre-op tests and follow-up?
• Which technique are you recommending for me, and why?
• Will I stay overnight, and is that included?
• Which medications and garments will I need to buy separately?
• What is your policy if I need a revision, and what would it cost?
• How many facelifts do you perform each year, and can I see before-and-after photos of your own patients?
• Who do I contact after hours if I have a problem during recovery?

Comparing facelift surgeons?

See registered surgeons and ask for itemised written quotes.

Compare facelift clinics

Frequently asked questions

How much does a facelift cost in New Zealand?

Our sourced national range is $18,000 – $32,000 for a full SMAS or deep-plane facelift and $12,000 – $20,000 for a mini facelift. Your own quote depends on the technique, whether other procedures are combined, and the surgeon, facility and anaesthetic.

What's included in a facelift quote?

A complete quote lists the surgeon, anaesthetist and facility fees, pre-operative tests and follow-up care. Ask what isn't included, such as medications, garments and revision surgery.

Is a mini facelift right for me?

A mini facelift has a shorter scar and a faster recovery but is less effective for significant sagging. A surgeon can tell you which technique suits your face after an in-person assessment.

Can I pay for a facelift in instalments?

Some clinics offer payment plans or third-party finance. Ask for the full cost, fees and interest in writing before you agree.

Why do facelift quotes vary so much?

Technique, theatre time, the facility, anaesthetic and how much aftercare is included all differ between surgeons. Compare itemised written quotes, and check registration before price.

Does insurance cover facelift surgery?

Cosmetic facelifts are generally excluded. Cover for reconstructive surgery depends on your policy, so get written pre-approval from your insurer before you book.

How do I check a facelift surgeon's credentials?

Search the Medical Council of New Zealand public register for the surgeon's vocational scope, ask how many facelifts they perform each year, and ask to see before-and-after photos of their own patients.