Bathroom Renovation Cost Australia 2026
Bathroom renovations vary widely depending on size, fixtures, and whether structural or plumbing changes are involved. Here's what to budget across Australia.
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National Bathroom Renovation & Remodel Cost Overview
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation (budget fittings) | $10,000total | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | $20,000total | $27,000 | $35,000 |
| Premium renovation | $35,000total | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Luxury renovation | $55,000total | $65,000 | $80,000 |
| Waterproofing | $1,000total | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| Tiling (floor + walls) | $2,000total | $3,500 | $6,000 |
| Vanity (supply + install) | $500total | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $800installed | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Bath (freestanding, installed) | $1,500installed | $2,800 | $5,000 |
| Toilet (supply + install) | $400installed | $700 | $1,200 |
| Heated towel rail | $200installed | $350 | $600 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,000total | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,000total | $1,800 | $3,000 |
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Bathroom renovation in Australia costs $10,000–$20,000 for a basic renovation with budget fittings, $20,000–$35,000 for a mid-range fit-out, and $35,000–$55,000 for premium finishes. The final price depends on bathroom size, fixture quality, structural changes, and whether waterproofing needs redoing.
We've compiled pricing from bathroom renovators across Australia, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026. All prices include GST.
Bathroom Renovation Budget Estimator
Get a rough estimate based on your bathroom size, renovation scope, and city. Uses our verified 2026 pricing data across 14 Australian cities.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Breakdown: Where Your Money Goes
The average bathroom renovation cost in Australia sits between $20,000 and $35,000 for a mid-range result. But that number hides a lot of variation. Here's how a typical $27,000 mid-range bathroom renovation actually breaks down:
| Component | % of Budget | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tiling (floor + walls) | 22% | $5,900 |
| Plumbing rough-in & fixtures | 18% | $4,900 |
| Waterproofing | 8% | $2,200 |
| Vanity, basin & tapware | 11% | $3,000 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | 6% | $1,500 |
| Toilet (supply + install) | 3% | $700 |
| Electrical (lighting, exhaust, heated rail) | 8% | $2,100 |
| Demolition & disposal | 7% | $1,800 |
| Painting & finishing | 4% | $1,000 |
| Project management / builder margin | 13% | $3,500 |
| Total | 100% | $26,600 |
The two biggest cost drivers are tiling and plumbing. Tiling alone accounts for over a fifth of the budget because labour-intensive wall tiling (especially around niches and shower recesses) takes 2–3 days. Plumbing is the second-largest component, and relocating fixtures (moving the toilet or shower position) can push this portion over $6,000.
Cosmetic Refresh vs Full Renovation: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | Cosmetic Refresh | Full Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $5,000–$12,000 | $20,000–$55,000 |
| Timeline | 3–5 days | 3–6 weeks |
| Waterproofing | Not redone | Fully stripped & redone to AS 3740 |
| Tiling | Paint over or tile over existing | Full strip-out, new substrate, new tiles |
| Plumbing | Replace tapware & showerhead only | Full rough-in, relocate if needed |
| What you get | New vanity, mirror, fixtures, paint, accessories | Completely new bathroom from the studs out |
| Best for | Bathrooms with sound waterproofing & structure | Bathrooms over 15 years old or with water damage |
A cosmetic refresh makes sense if your waterproofing is intact and you just want an updated look. However, if your bathroom was built before 2005, the waterproofing membrane has likely degraded and a full renovation with proper waterproofing is the safer long-term investment.
Average Bathroom Renovation Cost by Size
| Bathroom Type | Typical Size | Average Cost (Mid-Range) |
|---|---|---|
| Small ensuite | 2–3 sqm | $12,000–$20,000 |
| Standard bathroom | 4–6 sqm | $20,000–$35,000 |
| Large main bathroom | 7–10 sqm | $30,000–$50,000 |
| Luxury master ensuite | 10+ sqm | $45,000–$80,000+ |
Per-square-metre costs actually increase for smaller bathrooms because the fixed costs (waterproofing, plumbing, demolition) are spread across less area. A 3sqm ensuite might cost $5,000–$6,000/sqm while a 10sqm bathroom runs closer to $3,500–$4,500/sqm.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Per Square Metre in Australia
Bathroom renovations are sometimes quoted per square metre. As a national guide for 2026:
| Tier | Per m² | 5 m² bathroom | 8 m² bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2,000–$3,000 | $10,000–$15,000 | $16,000–$24,000 |
| Mid-range | $3,500–$5,000 | $17,500–$25,000 | $28,000–$40,000 |
| Premium | $5,500–$8,000 | $27,500–$40,000 | $44,000–$64,000 |
| Luxury | $8,000–$12,000+ | $40,000–$60,000+ | $64,000–$96,000+ |
Caveat: Bathrooms are more expensive per square metre than kitchens because waterproofing, tiling, and plumbing are concentrated in a small area. A 5 m² bathroom costs almost as much per m² as a 10 m² one because the fixed costs (waterproofing, plumbing rough-in, electrical) are the same regardless of size.
What Does a $27,000 Bathroom Renovation Actually Get You?
The average mid-range bathroom renovation in Australia costs $20,000–$35,000. Here is how a typical $27,000 project breaks down:
| Item | Cost | % |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | $1,800 | 7% |
| Plumbing — rough-in, relocations, connections | $4,200 | 16% |
| Waterproofing — membrane, certificate (mandatory) | $1,500 | 6% |
| Electrical — lighting, exhaust fan, heated towel rail | $2,200 | 8% |
| Tiling — floor + walls, supply and labour | $5,500 | 20% |
| Fixtures — vanity, toilet, shower screen, tapware | $4,800 | 18% |
| Cabinetry and mirror | $2,000 | 7% |
| Painting, silicone, finishing | $1,200 | 4% |
| Contingency (15%) | $3,800 | 14% |
| TOTAL | $27,000 | 100% |
See our detailed bathroom renovation budget breakdown for line-by-line pricing on every component including tiling, plumbing, waterproofing, and fixtures.
Does a Bathroom Renovation Add Value to Your Home?
Bathrooms are the second highest-ROI renovation after kitchens. A dated bathroom is one of the biggest turn-offs for buyers.
Bathroom Renovation ROI by Tier
| Tier | Spend | Value added | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic | $5k–$12k | $10k–$25k | 150–200% |
| Mid-range | $20k–$35k | $25k–$50k | 110–150% |
| Premium | $35k–$55k | $35k–$60k | 90–110% |
| Luxury | $55k+ | $40k–$60k | 50–80% |
Key insight: Adding a second bathroom (ensuite) to a home that only has one delivers higher ROI than renovating an existing bathroom. A basic ensuite addition costs $15,000–$30,000 and can add $30,000–$60,000 to property value in metro markets.
Bathroom Renovation Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
| Phase | Cosmetic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design + planning | 1 wk | 2–3 wks | 3–6 wks |
| Demolition | 1 day | 1–2 days | 2–3 days |
| Plumbing + electrical rough-in | N/A | 2–3 days | 3–5 days |
| Waterproofing + curing | N/A | 2–3 days | 2–3 days |
| Tiling | 1–2 days | 3–5 days | 5–8 days |
| Fixtures + finishing | 1 day | 2–3 days | 3–5 days |
| Total active work | 3–5 days | 2–3 wks | 3–5 wks |
Critical path item: Waterproofing membrane requires 24–48 hours to cure before tiling can begin. This is non-negotiable and the most common cause of bathroom renovation delays. Never let a tradie rush this step.
Average Bathroom Renovation Cost by Australian City 2026
| City | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $12,000–$23,000 | $23,000–$40,000 | $40,000–$63,000 |
| Melbourne | $11,000–$22,000 | $22,000–$38,500 | $38,500–$60,500 |
| Brisbane | $10,500–$21,000 | $21,000–$36,750 | $36,750–$57,750 |
| Perth | $10,800–$21,600 | $21,600–$37,800 | $37,800–$59,400 |
| Adelaide | $9,500–$19,000 | $19,000–$33,250 | $33,250–$52,250 |
| Gold Coast | $10,200–$20,400 | $20,400–$35,700 | $35,700–$56,100 |
| Canberra | $11,200–$22,400 | $22,400–$39,200 | $39,200–$61,600 |
| Hobart | $9,200–$18,400 | $18,400–$32,200 | $32,200–$50,600 |
| Darwin | $11,800–$23,600 | $23,600–$41,300 | $41,300–$64,900 |
| Newcastle | $9,800–$19,600 | $19,600–$34,300 | $34,300–$53,900 |
| Geelong | $9,700–$19,400 | $19,400–$33,950 | $33,950–$53,350 |
| Sunshine Coast | $9,800–$19,600 | $19,600–$34,300 | $34,300–$53,900 |
What Affects Bathroom Renovation Costs in Australia
Renovation scope
A cosmetic refresh (repainting, new vanity, fixtures) costs far less than a full gut-and-rebuild. Most Australia bathroom renovations involve full strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, and new fixtures.
Fixture quality
Budget fixtures from Bunnings vs premium brands (Caroma, Parisi, Grohe) can triple the fixtures portion. A basic vanity is $300–$600; premium is $1,500–$4,000 in Australia.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing ($1,500–$5,000 in Australia) is legally required and must be done by a licensed waterproofer. If existing waterproofing is compromised, it must be completely redone.
Tiling
Tiling ($400–$1,200/sqm in Australia) varies hugely with tile choice and pattern. Large-format tiles cost less to lay per sqm than mosaics. Tile supply is separate from labour.
Plumbing & electrical
Moving plumbing points (toilet, shower, basin) in Australia adds $2,000–$5,000+. Concrete slab homes cost more than timber-floor homes for plumbing relocation.
Project management
A builder managing all trades in Australia adds 15–25% overhead but saves you coordinating plumber, tiler, electrician, waterproofer, and painter yourself. Whether you're searching for bathroom renovations cost or cost of bathroom renovation, the pricing above is based on verified 2026 data. We also cover average cost of bathroom renovation, bathroom renovation estimate, how much for bathroom renovation and average cost for bathroom renovation.
How to Save Money on Bathroom Renovation in Australia
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About This Guide
Our bathroom renovation cost guides cover 14 major Australian cities with location-adjusted pricing. Updated monthly — last reviewed April 2026.