Australia 2026 pricing guide — compare cities, health fund cover, and bulk billing options
Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common dental procedures in Australia. A simple (erupted) extraction costs $200–$400 per tooth, while a surgical extraction for impacted wisdom teeth costs $400–$1,200 per tooth. Removing all four wisdom teeth typically costs $2,000–$4,000 at a general dentist, or up to $5,500+ at an oral surgeon under general anaesthetic.
Reviewed by the dentistrynearme.au editorial team. Last updated June 2026. Prices are based on ADA fee surveys and publicly listed clinic rates across Australia.
| City | Typical Price Range | Find Dentists |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $400 – $1,200 | Browse → |
| Melbourne | $350 – $1,100 | Browse → |
| Brisbane | $300 – $1,000 | Browse → |
| Adelaide | $280 – $900 | Browse → |
| Perth | $300 – $1,000 | Browse → |
| Gold Coast | $280 – $950 | Browse → |
| Canberra | $350 – $1,100 | Browse → |
Surgical extraction per tooth (impacted). Simple erupted extractions cost $200–$400/tooth. Removing all four adds GA/IV sedation costs.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) publishes annual fee surveys across all procedure codes. The table below shows the item numbers your dentist bills and the typical fee range:
| ADA Item | Description | Typical Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Simple (erupted) extraction | $200–$400 per tooth |
| 322 | Surgical — soft tissue impaction | $400–$700 per tooth |
| 323 | Surgical — partial bony impaction | $600–$1,000 per tooth |
| 324 | Surgical — full bony impaction | $900–$1,400 per tooth |
| 336 | IV sedation / GA (hospital) | $500–$1,500 extra |
Private health extras: Medium-to-major extras policies cover wisdom tooth extractions under "Oral Surgery". Rebates of $300–$700 per tooth are common, subject to annual limits and waiting periods. Hospital extras cover applies if the procedure is performed in a day-hospital under general anaesthetic — check both your dental and hospital extras tiers.
Medicare / CDBS: Medicare does not cover outpatient wisdom tooth extraction. If the procedure is performed in a hospital under general anaesthetic, Medicare may cover the anaesthetist and hospital component. The dental extraction itself remains a private cost. Public hospital oral surgery departments offer subsidised removal for eligible patients, with waiting lists of 6–18 months.
No — each tooth is assessed individually. Some people never need removal. Dentists typically recommend extraction when wisdom teeth are impacted, causing pain, infection, decay, or damaging adjacent teeth. Removing all four in one session saves anaesthetic cost and recovery time, but is not always clinically necessary.
A simple extraction (item 311) is used when the tooth has fully erupted and can be removed with forceps. A surgical extraction (items 322–324) is needed when the tooth is partially or fully impacted beneath bone — requiring an incision, bone removal, and sometimes sectioning the tooth. Surgical extractions cost 2–4 times more than simple ones.
The extraction itself may cost similarly, but the total bill is higher due to anaesthetist fees ($500–$1,200), hospital facility fees ($500–$1,500), and longer post-operative recovery. GA-based removal is mainly recommended for anxious patients, complex impactions, or medical reasons requiring hospital monitoring.
Most patients return to normal eating within 3–5 days. Dry socket (the most common complication, affecting 2–5% of extractions) causes pain 3–4 days post-removal and requires a review appointment. Full healing of the extraction site takes 6–8 weeks. Soft foods, no smoking, and gentle saline rinsing are the main aftercare requirements.
Public hospital oral surgery departments offer subsidised wisdom tooth removal for eligible patients (concession card holders, children's dental). Cost may be zero or minimal, but waiting lists of 6–24 months are common across Australian capital cities. For privately insured patients, a private dentist or oral surgeon is typically faster and partially rebated through extras cover.
Prices are estimates based on publicly available data, ADA fee surveys, and listed clinic rates. Actual costs vary by clinic, case complexity, and health fund. Always obtain a written treatment plan before proceeding. Our editorial policy.