Purpose To assess nailbed repair trends in Australia over the past twenty years and evaluate variations with age, gender and location. Methods A retrospective analysis of Medicare Australia (MBS) data over the past 20 years was performed using the relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item (46486). Incidence rates were standardised by age, gender and location. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to analyse trend data. MBS records do not include services provided by surgeons to public patients in public hospitals. Results Between January 2002 and December 2021, Medicare subsidised 25,053 nailbed repairs. Repairs were most commonly undertaken for the 55–64 age group, and 68% of cases were male. Incidence of repair saw a statistically significant average annual percentage increase of 5.4% (p <0.05), representing a near-tripling rate through the studied period (6 to 16 per 100,000 population). Per capita rates have increased proportionally for both males and females. Notable age and state-based trends exist. Analysis by age group demonstrated a more considerable increase in rate amongst those ≥ 55 years old (3.3 to 18.8 per 100,000 population) compared to those <55 years old (6.8 to 14.8 per 100,000 population). Rates among the paediatric population have remained static. By state, Queensland saw the most significant rate increase (2 to 13 per 100,000 population). Rates of surgery increased during the COVID-19 period. Conclusion This study demonstrates the increasing incidence of nailbed repair amongst a predominantly privately managed population. Streamlined referral pathways improving accessibility to hand surgeons across Australia may be attributed to findings.