Rudd, who was ousted as the country's leader by his Labour Party deputy Julia Gillard just over a year ago, needed to replace an aortic valve that his doctors advised him was "wearing out".

It follows a valve transplant almost two decades ago and he had always known he would likely need another.

"At this stage we're extremely pleased with his progress. The surgery has gone according to plan and he is in a stable and very satisfactory situation," his cardiologist Dr Malcolm Davison told reporters.

"We expect a full and complete recovery by about eight weeks."

The surgery, at Brisbane's St Andrews War Memorial Hospital, was considered routine by doctors with Rudd's new heart valve coming from a cow.

Rudd is expected to be out of action for at least two months with Trade Minister Craig Emerson assuming the responsibilities of foreign minister until he returns.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011