How much do veneers cost in Australia?

Veneers cost over $400 per tooth, but extras insurance can give you up to $800 a year for only $3 per week.

According to the latest stats by the Australian Dental Association, composite veneers cost between $411 and $837 depending on the state you're in, while the cost of porcelain veneers can exceed $1,800. Many dental clinics charge more though. Luckily, a mid-range extras policy can knock as much as $800 off your bill and only costs around $3 a week.

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin, specially-made dental implants made from either porcelain or composite material that is placed over the front of your existing teeth. People generally get veneers for cosmetic reasons which can disguise flaws like gaps in the teeth and discolouration.

How much do veneers cost?

This depends on a few factors including the clinic you use, the state you live in and the type of veneer you get. Composite veneers tend to be cheaper because they don't last as long – they have a shelf life of around 8 years. Porcelain veneers last up to 25 years so are more expensive.

To give you an idea of the difference in costs, according to ADA's 2022 Dental Fee Survey, patients in New South Wales paid upwards of $800 per tooth for a composite veneer, while porcelain veneers were upwards of $1,950 per tooth. However, many dental practices say that porcelain veneers can cost as much as $2,500 per tooth.

Compare health insurance for veneers

Here's a handful of extras policies from Finder partners that can help lower the cost of veneers. Compare health insurance from 40+ here, or check our list of the best health insurance in Australia for some other great options. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $97,000 income and living in Sydney.

1 - 10 of 47
Name Product AUFHI-NEW Treatments Price Apply
GMHBA Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$46.63
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$27.82
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Flex 60
Extras cover
HBF Health Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$55.34
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
value extras
Extras cover
ahm health insurance logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$32.80
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
HCF MID EXTRAS
Extras cover
HCF logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +2 other treatments covered
$35.06
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
ahm health insurance logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +1 other treatments covered
$12.97
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +5 other treatments covered
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$50.36
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
ahm health insurance logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$38.04
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Growing Family 60
Extras cover
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$47.80
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • General dental
  • Major dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
Want up to 8 weeks free plus a $50 gift card? Join and maintain eligible Extras cover by 4 Dec 2024. T&Cs Apply. Excludes Healthy Living Extras. Learn more.
$37.51
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
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Are veneers covered by Medicare?

No, Medicare doesn't cover the cost of veneers. Generally, Medicare doesn't cover dental that's performed outside of hospital. That includes most dental work, including veneers.

Some government-funded assistance schemes help pay for dental treatment, but it's often only a few people who are eligible and it's unlikely that it will include veneers. You can find out more about the schemes on the state government's website.

Does private health insurance cover veneers?

Yes, it can. Lots of extras health insurance policies cover veneers under major dental. Major dental also includes services such as wisdom teeth removal, extractions and dentures.

Your policy won't cover the whole cost of veneers. For a mid-range extras policy, you're likely to get around $600 per person towards veneer procedures every year. The policy itself is likely to cost you around $3 per week.

Finder survey: How satisfied are people with their current dental insurance coverage?

ResponseFemaleMale
Somewhat satisfied10.92%7.71%
Very satisfied5.75%6.88%
Not satisfied1.72%1.04%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023

Are there waiting periods for veneers?

Yes. You'll almost certainly have to serve a 12-month waiting period. This means that when you first buy a policy, you won't be able to claim for veneers for a year.

However, you will be able to take advantage of heaps of other benefits that are also included in your policy — things like prescription glasses, sunnies and even massages.

How can I reduce the cost of veneers?

The best way to lower the cost of veneers is to have dental health insurance that will cover the cost of your treatment. Here's a bit more detail on saving money on veneers:

  • Shop around for an extras policy that includes major dental and veneers. Compare prices online to make sure you're getting a good deal.
  • Talk to your dentist about splitting the treatment over two benefit periods. For example, if your limits renew in January, you could get some work done in December and some in January. That way, you'll be able to claim twice.
  • Take advantage of other benefits included in your cover while you serve the 12-month period, such as prescription glasses or sunnies.
  • Take your health fund card with you when you go for treatment. That way, you won't have to lodge a claim later, your bill will automatically be reduced.
  • Consider a payment plan. Lots of dentists now offer payment plans, and while it won't reduce the cost of treatment, it will make it more manageable.
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Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 648 Finder guides across topics including:
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