Ivy CarruthJun 12, 2026 – 5.00amTwo years ago, Bianca, a 49-year-old risk consultant from NSW, packed her bags and flew to Thailand for an international glow-up. She had booked a breast lift, a facelift and a brachioplasty – three major surgeries to be performed in two stages, roughly a week apart.Bianca, who has asked Life & Leisure for anonymity, didn’t have the cash to cover the trip upfront. Instead of a payment plan she utilised a compassionate loophole at the ATO and dipped into her superannuation, employing a controversial pathway that allows middle-income earners to trade retirement funds for physical intervention, should they find doctor who will deem it “necessary” – a criterion Bianca met for her breast lift.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles