How Much Will My Knee Replacement Cost?

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What is knee replacement surgery?

How much does knee replacement surgery cost?

Are there other out-of-pocket costs for knee replacement surgery?

Are there other ongoing costs after knee replacement surgery?

How long will I have to wait for knee replacement surgery?

What level of private health insurance do I need to cover a knee replacement?

Where can I find and compare private health insurance?

Long story short

Public hospital surgery is free, but wait times can top 18 months

Medicare covers the full cost in the public system, but one in four people waited over a year in 2023–24.

Private patients usually pay around $1,000 out of pocket

With hospital cover, 82% of private patients had a gap to pay, with $1,000 being typical.

There can be recovery costs that Medicare doesn’t cover

Rehab, physiotherapy and equipment often aren’t covered by Medicare but may be included in extras policies.

Gold hospital policies always cover knee replacements

Some silver plus policies also include it but always check the fine print before signing up.

What is knee replacement surgery?

Also called a knee arthroplasty, knee replacement surgery swaps your damaged knee joint with an artificial one. This can help reduce your joint pain plus get some of your mobility back. 

This kind of joint replacement might be recommended for you if you have severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis (that’s when a part of your bone dies due to lack of blood supply), or other conditions that affect your comfort and mobility. Essentially, if other treatments and pain relief just aren’t up to the job, a knee replacement might be the way to get you moving again. 

Just like there are different reasons to get a knee replacement, there are a few types of knee replacements too. These include: 

• total knee replacement (all knee joint surfaces are replaced)
• partial (also known as a unicompartmental) knee replacement (one or some of the knee joint surfaces are replaced)
• kneecap replacement or patellofemoral arthroplasty (the joint between the kneecap and thighbone is replaced – a type of partial replacement) 

If you’ve already had a knee replacement but there are issues with it, like the artificial joint wearing out, you can also have a revision of it. 

How much does knee replacement surgery cost?

If you’re using the public system, Medicare can cover all of your in-hospital knee replacement surgery costs. Sounds great, right? Well, maybe. The main downside is the wait time, which is potentially longer than a year. 

Alternatively, you can use the private system and have your hospital cover take care of some of the bill. In 2023–24, 82% of patients who chose this route had out-of-pocket costs when it came to their specialist fees, with $1,000 being the typical cost.¹Medical Costs Finder – Knee replacement 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 August 2025.

Keep in mind that as there are a few different types of knee replacements, costs can vary. 

Are there other out-of-pocket costs for knee replacement surgery?

Beyond a gap between what your specialist charges and how much your insurer covers for your surgery, you may have other out-of-pocket costs too.  

For instance, your policy will likely have an excess – an amount you need to pay before your insurer will start holding up their end of the deal.  

Your policy could also specify a co-payment for each day you’re in hospital. FYI: people tend to stay one to four days in hospital after knee surgery.  

Are there other ongoing costs after knee replacement surgery?

A knee replacement is more than just a surgery. There could be a long recovery time – sometimes as long as 12 months. Having private health insurance could mean you put your best foot forward on your road to recovery. This could include your insurer covering at-home rehabilitation, visits to the physiotherapist and even helping cover some of the costs for any mobility aids.  

Unfortunately, Medicare is unlikely to cover you for these kinds of things. Your state government might have programs, like Queensland’s Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme. Schemes like this can provide funding for mobility aids, but you may not be eligible depending on your circumstances. Similarly, physiotherapy sessions are unlikely to be covered by Medicare. 

Helpful tip

While knee replacement surgery is covered under a hospital policy that includes joint replacements, combining it with an extras policy that includes physiotherapy and mobility aids can help reduce additional costs you may face during recovery. There are many different types of extras policies, and chatting with one of iSelect’s comparison experts can make it easier to find a policy that suits your needs. 

Dr. Jill Gamberg

GP, Coach, and Lifestyle Medicine Physician

How long will I have to wait for knee replacement surgery?

The maximum period your insurer can make you wait before you can claim your knee replacement with them is either two or 12 months. Why the difference? Two months is for those without a pre-existing condition, while 12 months is for those with one. 

Remember, these waiting periods only apply when you first purchase your policy. Once they’re served, as long as you continue to hold your health insurance you’re all good, even if you switch between health insurers. You might still have to wait for your surgery date, but the wait time for private patients tends to be significantly shorter. 

Unfortunately, in the public hospital system, wait times to be seen for knee replacement surgery are extensive. In 2023–24, the median wait time was 265 days for knee replacement surgery. Worryingly, 25.7% of people were waiting more than a year for their surgery day and a further 10% were waiting longer than 18 months.²Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Elective surgery waiting times 2023–24 data tables When you’re in pain or discomfort, this is a long time to wait and can impact your lifestyle, physical and mental health. 

What level of private health insurance do I need to cover a knee replacement?

As standard, all gold hospital policies include cover for a knee replacement. However, insurers can also choose to offer it as part of a lower tier, at their discretion. You’ll often find knee replacements on silver plus policies, but it’s always wise to review the policy document or speak with the insurer if you want to double check what’s what. 

Where can I find and compare private health insurance?

If you feel like a knee replacement is in your future, or you just want to be prepared for whatever may happen with your health, buying or reviewing your health insurance could be a smart idea. Using iSelect, you can compare a range of health insurance policies from different insurers online or by speaking with one of our health comparison experts on 1800 784 772. With our services, you could find a policy you like quickly and get back to enjoying life, knowing you’re looking after your health.