What BOAS surgery costs in Australia

EMReviewed by Eben Martin, Veterinary Surgeon · Updated August 2026

BOAS surgery in Australia spans roughly $1,500 to $8,500. Nostril widening alone at a general practice sits at the low end, commonly $1,500 to $3,000, often done alongside desexing. Full airway assessment and surgery at specialist centres commonly runs $5,200 for standard cases to $8,500 for complicated ones, with laser assisted turbinectomy around $6,000.

OptionTypical Australian rangeNotes
Nares widening alone$1,500 to $3,000Often combined with desexing; addresses one obstruction of several
Nares plus soft palate$3,000 to $5,000The common combined procedure at experienced general practices
Specialist airway package (standard)$5,200 to $6,500Full assessment, palate and nares, overnight monitored recovery
Specialist package (complicated)$7,000 to $8,500Everted saccules, tonsils, revision cases and high risk patients
Laser assisted turbinectomy (LATE)around $6,000For deeper nasal obstruction in selected dogs

Why the specialist wrapper matters more here

For most operations the wrapper is comfort; for BOAS it is safety margin. The riskiest hours are after surgery, when swelling peaks inside an airway that started narrow. Overnight monitored recovery, experienced anaesthesia and the ability to reintubate in seconds are what the higher quotes are buying. Whatever tier you choose, ask specifically who watches the dog overnight.

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Costs by city

Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Canberra · Gold Coast · Hobart

Common questions

Is doing just the nares at desexing worth it?

Yes, as a genuine down payment: open nostrils reduce the suction driving the whole spiral. It is not the whole job for dogs with palate obstruction, and the honest framing is first instalment, not fix.

Does insurance cover BOAS surgery?

Increasingly insurers treat BOAS as breed related with waiting periods, sub limits or exclusions. If you have a flat faced puppy, read the airway wording before you need it; policies differ more here than almost anywhere.

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