Breast implants are common in Australia, with around 20,000 procedures performed annually for cosmetic augmentation and reconstruction, making breast augmentation a leading elective cosmetic surgery, though numbers for removals are rising, notes the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR). The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) data show cosmetic enhancement accounts for the majority (around 75-80%), with the rest for cancer reconstruction or developmental issues, as detailed in reports from the Australasian Society for Breast Disease (ASBD).
Each year, approximately 20 000 women undergo breast implant surgery in Australia.
The countries with the most breast implants surgeries in the world include the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Argentina.
Breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure, with more than 365,000 operations performed annually in 2024, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2022, approximately 300,000 procedures were carried out by their members, reflecting consistent high demand.
A breast augmentation (boob job) in Australia generally costs between $10,000 to over $20,000 AUD, with typical packages often found from $11,000 to $16,000+, depending heavily on the surgeon's experience, implant type, hospital fees, and whether it's combined with a lift or other procedures, with cosmetic surgeries typically not covered by Medicare.
The 20s and 30s are the most frequent time that women have breast implants. Women in that age bracket are usually in the best health of their lives, have an awareness of their body appearance, and they are mature enough mentally for breast implants.
No, Medicare generally does not cover breast augmentation performed solely for cosmetic reasons, as it's considered elective, but it might cover it if part of medically necessary reconstructive surgery (e.g., after cancer or for severe congenital abnormalities with significant volume difference) or if combined with a covered procedure like breast reduction for chronic pain, requiring specific item numbers and documentation.
The percentage of patients reporting regret ranged from 0 to 47.1 % in breast reconstruction, 5.1–9.1 % in breast augmentation, and 10.82–33.3 % in body contouring.
The "45 55 breast rule" refers to a widely studied aesthetic ideal where the breast volume is split with 45% in the upper pole (above the nipple) and 55% in the lower pole (below the nipple), creating a naturally sloped, teardrop shape rather than a round, full look. This ratio, established by plastic surgeon research, is consistently rated as most attractive by men, women, and surgeons across different demographics, supporting its use as a benchmark in breast augmentation for natural-looking results.
Breast Implants and Male Perception in 2025
For most men in relationships, it's not about whether a woman has implants – it's about how she feels in her own skin. Confidence, affection, and emotional connection usually matter far more than cup size.
Turkey, South Korea, and Brazil rank among the top countries with the most breast implants performed each year. These nations attract thousands of international patients seeking both affordable breast augmentation and high safety standards.
The most common type? Breast augmentation. More than 364,000 women will get implants this year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; that's an increase of nearly 40 percent from just five years ago.
South Korea stands out globally with the highest rate of plastic surgeries per person, at 8.90 procedures for every 1,000 residents. This high intensity is largely driven by cultural beauty standards and societal acceptance.
One cup size is around 175cc, and most people typically opt for implants that are between 300cc to 500cc. That leads to an increase in breast size of around two cup sizes, which is about the maximum you can achieve if you want a natural look.
While Dolly Parton hasn't revealed exact figures for each procedure, she famously stated she's spent around one million dollars on her breasts over the years, though some reports estimate her total investment in breast enhancements to be closer to $600,000, encompassing multiple surgeries like augmentations, lifts, and reductions for her iconic look, as mentioned on Cameo Surgery and Heatworld, respectively.
Generally speaking, being too young or too old is a contraindication for any kind of plastic surgery, especially having breast implants. For the teens, altering their bodies is not advised because they're still developing.
The rarest cup sizes are at the extreme ends of the spectrum, such as AAA, AA (especially with small bands like 28AA, 30AA), and very large sizes like G, H, and beyond (e.g., 28G, 30G, 36G), as stores focus on common core sizes (32-38 bands, A-DD cups) and these extremes are harder to find in mainstream retail but available from specialty brands. While 32A seems common, true 32A fit is rare, as many women need smaller bands or different cup volumes, making smaller/larger true sizes less represented in general stock.
Your Breasts Will Change Over Time
Your breasts will change after surgery due to getting pregnant, gaining or losing weight or simply getting older and going through menopause. These changes are unavoidable. Unfortunately, you cannot expect the breasts you have after surgery to remain the same forever.
Cosmetic surgeries and elective operations are among the most common regretted procedures. Understanding risks and outcomes is key before surgery. Certain factors contribute to a patient's likelihood of experiencing regret. Patient education is key to minimizing surgical regret rates.
Both saline and silicone breast implants are considered safe. Research on how safe both types of implants are and how well they work is ongoing.
A breast augmentation (boob job) in Australia generally costs between $10,000 to over $20,000 AUD, with typical packages often found from $11,000 to $16,000+, depending heavily on the surgeon's experience, implant type, hospital fees, and whether it's combined with a lift or other procedures, with cosmetic surgeries typically not covered by Medicare.
Most insurance companies will not cover any cosmetic procedures and some will not cover complications from previous cosmetic procedures. However, many companies consider removal of breast implants medically necessary for patients with any of these conditions: Ruptured silicone gel breast implants.
First, you shouldn't choose this breast Lift procedure until your breasts are completely developed. This happens for some women in their teens but continues into the early twenties for other women. This is an important consideration for patients under 25.