Cataract Surgery Cost: Australia vs Singapore (2026)
34% lower in Australia
The reference price for cataract surgery is $2,867 in Australia and $4,314 in Singapore, a difference of about $1,446.
Side-by-side prices
| Country | Price type | Published range (local) | Reference (local) | Reference in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | National efficient price, public hospital (minor complexity) | A$4,083 – A$4,083 | A$4,083 | $2,867 |
| Singapore | Typical total bill: public hospital, unsubsidised (Ward A) | SGD 974 – SGD 10,369 | SGD 5,515 | $4,314 |
Cataract Surgery price detail: Australia
| AR-DRG | Admission type | Price weight | Price | In USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C16Z | Lens interventions | 0.5504 | A$4,083 | $2,867 |
Cataract Surgery price detail: Singapore
| Hospital and ward | Typical bill | Usual range (25th–75th) | Implant | In USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public hospital, subsidised (Ward C) | SGD 1,526 | SGD 1,081 – SGD 2,961 | SGD 42.00 | $1,194 |
| Public hospital, subsidised (Ward B2) | SGD 1,106 | SGD 882 – SGD 1,692 | SGD 40.00 | $865 |
| Public hospital, subsidised (day surgery) | SGD 974 | SGD 806 – SGD 1,590 | SGD 38.00 | $762 |
| Public hospital, unsubsidised (Ward A) | SGD 5,515 | SGD 4,880 – SGD 6,446 | SGD 257 | $4,314 |
| Public hospital, unsubsidised (day surgery) | SGD 4,645 | SGD 4,212 – SGD 5,364 | SGD 305 | $3,633 |
| Private hospital (day surgery) | SGD 8,467 | SGD 7,115 – SGD 10,042 | SGD 1,620 | $6,623 |
| Private hospital (inpatient) | SGD 10,369 | SGD 8,962 – SGD 11,690 | SGD 1,555 | $8,110 |
What each price includes
- Australia: National efficient price, public hospital (minor complexity). The whole public hospital admission: the operation, implant or device, nursing, medicines and an average length of stay for that type of admission. Public patients in Australian public hospitals pay nothing: the national efficient price is what governments use to fund the hospital.
- Singapore: Typical total bill: public hospital, unsubsidised (Ward A). The whole hospital bill: operation and doctor fees, implants, ward charges, medicines, tests and consumables. Patients pay these bills, but most Singapore citizens use MediShield Life, MediSave and private Integrated Shield plans to cover much of the cost.
About cataract surgery
Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The most common technique is phacoemulsification, where the lens is broken up with ultrasound through a small incision. It is usually a day-care procedure done under local anaesthesia, one eye at a time. The type of artificial lens chosen has a large effect on the final price.
Before travelling for treatment, also budget for flights, accommodation, recovery time and follow-up care, and check the hospital's accreditation and whether your insurance covers treatment abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Is cataract surgery cheaper in Australia or Singapore?
Are these prices directly comparable?
Sources
- Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA). National Efficient Price Determination 2026–27 and price weight tables (NEP26 = A$7,418 per NWAU). www.ihacpa.gov.au/resources/national-efficient-price-determination-202. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- Ministry of Health, Singapore. Hospital bill amounts by procedure (TOSP), Singapore citizens, 2023 bills. www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/bills-and-fee-benchmarks/hospital-bil. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- European Central Bank. Euro foreign exchange reference rates (2026-10-23). www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error
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- Cataract Surgery cost in Australia
- Cataract Surgery cost in Singapore
- Cataract Surgery cost in all countries
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