There’s a lot of confusing information out there on Stem Cell Therapy in Australia. Whether it’s legal or not, can you get treatment here, what’s actually available.

This is where our team comes in. We look at the regulations to walk you through what you can actually get in Australia. We’ve also collated costs directly from patients & clinics to give more accurate price ranges than what’s typically out there.

Plus, if you live in Australia, we look at what nearby countries you can visit for Stem Cell Therapy, what treatments you can get & can walk you through which clinics you can trust around Asia.

What Is Stem Cell Treatment?

Stem cell therapy is all about using the body’s natural repair cells to heal damaged tissues. It’s being studied for everything from joint pain to neurodegenerative diseases. If you want the full breakdown, including how it works, the different types, and what it can (and can’t) do, check out our guide on How Stem Cell Therapy works.

Is Stem Cell Therapy Legal in Australia in 2025?

Considering Stem Cell Therapy clinics in Thailand, Japan or South Korea?

We don’t let any clinic just sign up or pay to be listed.

We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, the treatments they offer, how their stem cells are sourced and how they follow up with patients after treatment.

We also review licensing documents to confirm they meet the legal and medical standards of the country they operate in. For example, whether cells are processed in a GMP-certified facility or if they provide documentation on stem cell quality.

Clinics must also agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.

Why Use Alt Treatment?

We don’t just list clinics, we help you choose the right one, get the best pricing and support you through the entire journey. For free.

Compare with Confidence: Get clinic matches based on your condition, location, and budget.

Ask the Right Questions: Know what to ask before committing

Save on Treatment: Unlock exclusive discounts on vetted clinics and follow-up care.

We’re With You After Treatment: We check in post-treatment and help resolve any issues.

Travel & Visa Help: Need to travel for care? We can help with logistics, documents, and local tips.

Found a Clinic Elsewhere? We’ll check their licensing and track record for you, free of charge.

No Strings Attached: Even if you choose a clinic we don’t partner with, we’re still here to help you make the best decision.

Who Regulates Stem Cells in Australia?

The TGA regulates stem cell treatments in Australia, ensuring that only approved therapies are legally available. However, there are some grey areas in the regulations. If you want to dive deeper into them, check it out here

What Stem Cell Treatments are Allowed in Australia?

• Allowed: Blood and immune system disorders (hematopoietic stem cell transplants using bone marrow, peripheral blood, or cord blood). You can read the exact wording on the TGA’s Stem Cell Regulations page
• Excluded Therapies: This is where it gets a little complicated. Some autologous cell procedures are excluded from TGA regulation if all of these apply:
  1. The patient’s cells are collected and reinfused under the care of a registered doctor.
  2. The procedure occurs within a hospital, under that doctor’s supervision.
  3. The treatment is not advertised to the public.
  4. Even in this case, the therapy is not “unregulated.” It falls under hospital governance, ethics committees and oversight by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and medical boards.
• Exempt Therapies: Outside hospitals, some autologous cell uses are exempt from full TGA approval if they are:
  • Same-day, single procedure for one condition.
  • Minimally manipulated (e.g. not isolated or cultured in a lab).
  • Homologous use (cells used for their natural function, e.g., fat for padding, bone for grafting).
  • Not advertised to consumers.
  • Examples that fit: PRP injections, simple fat transfer, autologous bone grafts, skin grafts. You can read more on this in the TGA’s article on covering rules on autologous Stem Cells.
    

What Stem Cell treatments are NOT Allowed in Australia?

• Expanded (Lab-Grown) Stem Cells – Clinics cannot grow, multiply, or modify stem cells in a lab unless they get specific TGA approval, which none have.
• Umbilical Cord Stem Cells in Private Clinics – If a private clinic in Australia is offering umbilical cord stem cell therapy, it’s not legal. These are only used in approved transplants and research trials.
• Stem Cell Treatments for Anti-Aging or Wellness – You might see clinics advertising stem cells for skin rejuvenation or general health, but these aren’t legally approved for commercial use outside research settings.

How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy Cost in Australia?

Orthopedic treatments typically cost between $7,000 and $20,000 AUD. It’s definitely not cheap!  We’ve gathered our pricing data in a few different ways & we’re always updating it!

But if you’re looking for more advanced or affordable options, countries like India, Thailand, and Japan offer treatments at slightly cheaper costs. Check out our guide on Average costs in different countries for a full breakdown of costs.

Does Medicare in Australia cover Stem Cell Treatments?

Yes, Medicare in Australia covers stem cell treatments for approved procedures like hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) used for blood disorders and cancers. But, cosmetic and unapproved treatments aren’t covered!

Where to Get Stem Cells Near Australia?

If you’re in Australia, nearby countries like Japan, Thailand, and India offer more advanced or affordable Stem Cell treatment options. (it’s up to you to decide if they’re better though!)

Here’s a quick look at them:

If you want to know about other countries offering treatments, check out our Best Countries for Stem Cell Therapy Guide for a full comparison of top destinations, and what to watch out for.

Stem Cell Treatment costs in Asia

Latest Stem Cell Research & advancements in Australia 2025

Australia is making big moves in stem cell research. The Stem Cell Therapies Mission (part of the MRFF) finalized its plans in 2023 to accelerate research. It funds trials for osteoarthritis, neurological diseases, and blood disorders to move promising treatments closer to real-world use. You can read more about the mission here!

Last year, in 2024 the government put $34.5 million into new projects aimed at tackling conditions like osteoarthritis, spinal cord injuries, and motor neuron disease. The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is spreading its funding across six key research projects.

What’s Being Funded?

• Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment – A $7 million investment is going into clinical trials led by Melbourne-based Magellan Stem Cells, testing a donor stem cell therapy designed to repair joint damage and slow down osteoarthritis.
• Spinal Cord Injury Therapy – Griffith University received $6.8 million to develop a world-first treatment that could restore function after spinal cord injuries using transplanted stem cells.
• Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research – The Florey Institute secured nearly $5 million to use patient-derived stem cells for drug testing, helping identify potential treatments that could keep motor neurons alive longer.

You can check out the full announcement to see who else got funding here.

Clearly, stem cell therapy is something the Australian government believes in—they wouldn’t be investing millions if they didn’t see real potential. In the next few years, expect BIG news to come out from these trials.

Should I Get Stem Cell Therapy in Australia?

Australia still tightly regulates stem cell therapy and while research is making progress, most treatments aren’t available to the public yet. But Australia is investing big in the future of regenerative medicine, and breakthroughs are happening fast.

If you’re looking for treatment with high cell doses, you need to explore options overseas like South Korea, Thailand or Japan. If you specifically want umbilical cord derived Mesenchymal cells, Thailand’s the place. Fill in the form below to talk to our team to help you decide what your options are.