What BOAS airway surgery costs in Canberra

EMReviewed by Eben Martin, Veterinary Surgeon · Updated August 2026

In Canberra, expect the national range of $1,500 to $8,500 for BOAS airway surgery. Canberra is a small market with limited specialist presence, so complex cases are routinely referred to Sydney anyway. For routine orthopaedics the local general practices are capable; for referral tier surgery you are often choosing which Sydney hospital, not whether to travel.

The price tiers that apply in Canberra

OptionTypical Australian rangeNotes
Nares widening alone$1,500 to $3,000Often combined with desexing
Nares plus soft palate at GP$3,000 to $5,000Experienced practices only; ask their brachycephalic caseload
Specialist airway package$5,200 to $8,500Assessment, surgery and monitored overnight recovery

Nationally, BOAS surgery spans $1,500 to $3,000 for nostril widening at a general practice through to $5,200 to $8,500 for full specialist airway packages with monitored overnight recovery.

Worth travelling?

The three hour run to Sydney opens the full specialist market, and Melbourne's fixed price clinics are a realistic option for planned, non urgent surgery.

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Common questions

Is the cheaper GP palate surgery in Canberra safe for my frenchie?

It can be, in a practice that does brachycephalic airways regularly and keeps the dog overnight with someone actually watching. The risk in BOAS surgery is concentrated in the first two nights while swelling peaks. Whatever tier you choose in Canberra, ask one question: who is physically with my dog overnight, and what happens if the airway swells at 2am.

When in the year should we book it?

Before summer, deliberately. Airway dogs fail in heat waves, and an operation chosen calmly in winter beats one forced by a 40 degree emergency. If your dog struggled last summer, this is the sign to book the assessment now.

Other cities

Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Gold Coast · Hobart · Australia wide guide

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