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How Much Does Grommet Surgery Cost in Australia?
How Much Does Grommet Surgery Cost in Australia?
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezCompare Health Insurance Policies
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What is grommet surgery?
Long story short
Grommets are tiny tubes that help fluid drain from ears
They’re inserted by an ear, nose, and throat surgeon in a 15-minute procedure.
Going public is free but requires a whole heap of patience
Medicare covers public surgery fully but wait times can go up to a year, while private allows you to choose your specialist now.
Private costs vary but most patients pay around $520 out of pocket
Typical specialist fees are $1,600, but with Medicare and insurer rebates, the final gap can often be more manageable.
Checking your health cover level is critical to ensure you’re – well – covered
You need a policy covering ‘tonsils, adenoids, and grommets’ (usually bronze or higher) to claim benefits for this surgery.
What is grommet surgery?
Grommets are tiny tubes – made of either plastic or metal – that doctors insert into the eardrums to stop fluid build-up. They’re also called tympanostomy tubes or ventilation tubes as they literally ventilate the ear, helping air get into the middle ear and thick fluid drain away. This helps prevent middle ear infections that could lead to ‘glue ear’ (the liquid inside the middle ear getting thick), which can come with temporary hearing loss.
The procedure for inserting grommets into the eardrums is called myringotomy. The surgery itself is quite straightforward. An ear, nose, and throat surgeon makes a tiny hole in the eardrum. They then insert a small, hollow tube called a grommet. This tube allows air to enter the middle ear and lets any trapped fluid drain out, equalising the pressure and restoring hearing.
The insertion of grommets is common in children than adults because their Eustachian tubes – the tiny tunnels linking the middle ear to the back of the throat – are smaller and more horizontal, so fluid doesn’t drain as well.
It’s sometimes performed alongside tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, which removes the tonsils and adenoids, respectively.
Common symptoms that might show recurrent fluid in the ear, signalling the need for grommets, include:
- hearing difficulties
- recurrent and painful ear infections
- problems with balance
- delayed speech and learning development in children.
The procedure is usually performed in the hospital under a general anaesthetic and typically takes around 15 minutes. Patients generally get to come home on the same day.
How much does grommet surgery cost?
The cost of grommets surgery in Australia varies significantly depending on whether you choose to be treated as a public or private patient.
Does Medicare cover grommet surgery?
In the public system, if you have a Medicare card, the surgery is performed at no cost to you. Medicare covers the surgeon’s fees and your stay in a public hospital.
The trade-off is that you have no choice of doctor and will be placed on a public waiting list. According to 2024–25 data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 90% of patients waited up to 329 days (that’s almost a year) for a grommets procedure.1Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Elective surgery waiting times 2024–25 data tables
Does private health insurance cover grommet surgery?
Here’s what happens when you go private. You can select your own ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and schedule the surgery much sooner (although there are still waiting times to consider – more of this in a sec). While the initial costs are higher, an appropriate level of private health insurance should cover a portion of these expenses.
Let’s look at the typical costs for a private patient.
Costs of grommet surgery in 2023–24
| Fee type | Typical cost |
| Typical specialist fee | $1,600 |
| Medicare rebate | $500 |
| Insurer typically paid | $600 |
| Typical out-of-pocket cost | $520 |
| % of patients with an out-of-pocket cost | 84% |
Source: Medical Costs Finder – Grommets/myringotomy
Note: These are the amounts patients typically paid for these services, rounded to the nearest dollar. They do not include hospital payments such as excesses, co-payments, or other payments. These fees may vary depending on your situation. Not all patients had out-of-pocket costs; those who didn’t aren’t included in these figures. Data retrieved January 2026.
Are there other out-of-pocket costs for grommet surgery?
Yes. Even with health cover, there are a few other costs to be aware of when you’re admitted to a private hospital. For instance, hospital fees associated with your kid’s treatment and procedure could land you at $1,300.2Medical Costs Finder – Grommets/myringotomy The good news is, your health fund might be able to help cover all or part of these costs.
Are there other costs after grommet surgery?
Recovery from grommet surgery is usually quick, but there are potential ongoing costs to consider.
- Follow-up appointments: You’ll likely need a post-operative check-up with your ENT specialist to ensure the grommets are working correctly and the ear is healing properly.
- Medications: The surgeon may prescribe antibiotic ear drops for a few days after the procedure to prevent infection. These aftercare costs are usually minimal.
- Grommet replacement: Grommets usually fall out on their own within six to 12 months. In some cases, if the ear problems return, a child might need another set of grommets.
Helpful tip
When your child is recommended for a grommet surgery, it’s worth asking your surgeon for a full quote that includes the MBS item numbers for every part of the procedure. If you have private health insurance, you can call your health fund to find out exactly what they’ll cover and whether they have a medical gap arrangement with the healthcare provider. This can help you get a clear picture of your total out-of-pocket expenses.
It’s a simple step that provides massive peace of mind.
Andres Gutierrez
General Manager – Health
How long will I have to wait for grommet surgery in Australia?
Waiting times are one of the biggest differences between the public and private health systems.
Going public could mean potentially having to wait for up to a year before getting a myringotomy – where the doctors make a tiny incision in the eardrum to drain fluid, and then having grommets inserted into your child’s ear.
As a private patient, you can bypass the long waiting list. The surgery can be scheduled as soon as you and your chosen specialist are available.
However, if you’re new to private health insurance or upgrading your policy, you’ll need to serve a waiting period. This is typically 12 months for pre-existing conditions and two months for any new conditions that develop after you’ve taken out cover.
What level of health insurance do I need to cover grommet surgery?
To be covered for grommet surgery in a private hospital, you need a hospital insurance policy that includes the ‘tonsils, adenoids, and grommets’ clinical category.
This is a standard inclusion in bronze, silver, and gold tier hospital policies. Basic plus policies might not cover it, or might cover it on a restricted basis, so it’s essential to check the details of your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is grommet surgery a major surgery?
Grommet surgery isn’t considered a major surgery. It’s a relatively simple and quick procedure, typically performed under general anaesthesia, and usually takes about 15 minutes. Most patients, especially children, recover quickly and can go home the same day.
Are there alternatives to grommet surgery?
In some cases of temporary glue ear, a ‘watchful waiting’ approach is used to see if the condition resolves on its own.
Another option is auto-inflation balloons, which can force air up the tubes to help ventilate the middle ear cavity. A Eustachian tube balloon dilation device can be purchased online or in the chemist for around $30. However, some children don’t tolerate this very well.
Other alternatives include using hearing aids until the glue ear goes away, and medications like antibiotics, painkillers, decongestants, steroids, and antihistamines. Even herbal remedies and ear candling can be done to treat glue ear and middle ear infections (although there’s no solid clinical evidence about how effective these are).
How long do grommets stay in the ears?
Grommets are designed to be temporary. As the eardrum heals and renews itself, the grommet is naturally pushed out into the ear canal. Depending on their size, shape, and material, grommets usually fall out between six and 12 months after the surgery. Most of the time, you won’t even notice when it happens (regular ear checks can determine when grommets are finally out).
What factors affect the cost of grommet surgery?
The cost of grommet surgery can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Public versus private system: Public hospitals typically cover the full cost through Medicare, while private hospitals involve out-of-pocket expenses.
- Specialist fees: The fees charged by the ENT specialist can vary, with some charging above the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee.
- Hospital fees: Private hospital charges, including theatre fees, can add to the overall cost.
- Health insurance coverage: The level of your private health insurance policy (e.g. bronze, silver, gold) and whether it includes coverage for tonsils, adenoids, and grommets can also impact costs.
- Gap payments: If your specialist charges more than the MBS fee, the difference (gap) may need to be paid out of pocket unless covered by your insurer’s gap scheme. Some insurers have no-gap cover arrangements with certain doctors to reduce or eliminate this cost. So it’s worth asking your doctor if they participate in your fund’s scheme!
- Additional services: Fees for anaesthetists, follow-up appointments, and medications can also contribute to the total cost.
Find and compare hospital cover
We hear you loud and clear – grommets can be expensive. But understanding the costs and how health insurance can help make all the difference.
At iSelect, we can help you compare a range of policies from different providers to find a plan that fits your needs and budget. Get started today with our comparison tool or give our friendly team of health insurance comparison experts a call on 1800 784 772.
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