MBS item

51303
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Surgical assistance at complex operating theatre procedures in Group T8 where individual or combined procedure fees exceed $668.25.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T9](/groups/T9)

Schedule fee—

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital—

MBS item 51303 has no fixed schedule fee.

Derived fee

one fifth of the established fee for the operation or combination of operations

Item descriptor
---------------

Assistance at any operation mentioned in an item in Group T8 that includes “(Assist.)” for which the fee exceeds $668.25 or at a series or combination of operations mentioned in an item in Group T8 that include “(Assist.)” for which the aggregate fee exceeds $668.25

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=51303)

Guides
------

- [How Medicare benefits work: schedule fees, 75%, 85% and 100%](/guides/how-medicare-benefits-work)
- [Medicare safety nets explained: original and extended (EMSN) thresholds for 2026](/guides/medicare-safety-nets)
- [In-hospital billing: the 75% benefit, the 25% fund benefit, and no-gap and known-gap schemes](/guides/in-hospital-billing-and-gap-cover)
- [Bulk billing incentives and BBPIP explained: 2026 amounts by MM area](/guides/bulk-billing-incentives)
- [The MBS multiple operation rule and surgical assistant fees](/guides/multiple-operation-rule)
- [Assignment of benefit for bulk billing: the changes from 1 July 2026](/guides/assignment-of-benefit-2026)
- [MBS telehealth rules: the eligible telehealth practitioner and phone items](/guides/mbs-telehealth-rules)
- [GP chronic condition management plans: items 965 and 967 explained](/guides/chronic-condition-management-plans)
- [Medicare billing compliance: claim time limits, records and the 80/20 rule](/guides/medicare-billing-compliance)

Data source: [Australian Government Medicare Benefits Schedule](https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/) · Record updated 1 September 2026. Health fund rates come from each fund's published schedule. Verify item descriptors, rules and fees on [MBS Online](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=51303) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.