Flooring Cost Australia 2026
Flooring costs vary widely by material — from budget carpet to premium hardwood. Installation complexity and subfloor condition also affect the final price.
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National Pricing Overview
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet (supply + install) | $45/sqm | $70 | $110 |
| Vinyl plank (supply + install) | $50/sqm | $75 | $100 |
| Hybrid / SPC (supply + install) | $55/sqm | $80 | $120 |
| Laminate (supply + install) | $40/sqm | $65 | $100 |
| Engineered timber (supply + install) | $90/sqm | $140 | $200 |
| Solid hardwood (supply + install) | $120/sqm | $180 | $280 |
| Floor tiles (supply + install) | $80/sqm | $130 | $200 |
| Bamboo flooring (supply + install) | $70/sqm | $100 | $150 |
| Subfloor levelling / prep | $30/sqm | $55 | $90 |
| Old floor removal & disposal | $8/sqm | $15 | $25 |
| Skirting boards (supply + install) | $10/m | $18 | $30 |
| Timber floor sanding & polishing | $30/sqm | $45 | $70 |
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Flooring in Australia costs anywhere from $45/sqm for carpet up to $280/sqm for solid hardwood, supply and installation included. The most popular mid-range options — vinyl plank and hybrid flooring — sit around $75–$80/sqm, offering good durability and water resistance.
We've compiled pricing from flooring specialists across Australia, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026. All prices include supply, installation, and GST.
Flooring Costs by Material
The material you choose drives both the cost and longevity of your new floors. Here's how the main flooring options compare for Australian homes:
| Material | Supply per m² | Install per m² | Total per m² | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet (mid-range) | $30–$60 | $8–$15 | $38–$75 | 8–12 years |
| Vinyl plank (SPC/LVP) | $25–$60 | $15–$30 | $40–$90 | 15–25 years |
| Laminate | $20–$50 | $15–$30 | $35–$80 | 10–20 years |
| Engineered timber | $50–$120 | $25–$45 | $75–$165 | 20–30 years |
| Solid hardwood | $60–$150 | $30–$55 | $90–$205 | 30–50+ years |
| Hybrid flooring | $30–$65 | $15–$30 | $45–$95 | 15–25 years |
| Polished concrete | $0 (existing slab) | $50–$100 | $50–$100 | 50+ years |
| Tiles (porcelain) | $30–$80 | $40–$70 | $70–$150 | 30+ years |
| Bamboo | $40–$80 | $25–$40 | $65–$120 | 20–25 years |
Vinyl plank (SPC/LVP) has become the most popular flooring choice in Australian renovations — it's waterproof, durable, looks like timber, and installs quickly as a floating floor. For a typical 3-bedroom house (80–100m² of flooring), vinyl plank costs $3,200–$9,000 all-in vs $7,200–$16,500 for solid hardwood.
Flooring Costs for a Whole House
Here's what it costs to floor a typical Australian home, broken down by house size and material:
| Home Size | Area (approx) | Carpet | Vinyl Plank | Engineered Timber | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed unit | 50–70m² | $1,900–$5,250 | $2,000–$6,300 | $3,750–$11,550 | $4,500–$14,350 |
| 3-bed house | 80–100m² | $3,040–$7,500 | $3,200–$9,000 | $6,000–$16,500 | $7,200–$20,500 |
| 4-bed house | 120–150m² | $4,560–$11,250 | $4,800–$13,500 | $9,000–$24,750 | $10,800–$30,750 |
These prices include supply, installation, and underlay where required. Removing old flooring adds $5–$15 per m². Subfloor preparation (levelling, moisture barriers) adds $10–$30 per m² if needed. Stairs cost significantly more per step ($50–$150 each) due to the labour-intensive cutting and fitting involved.
What Affects Flooring Costs in Australia
Material choice
Carpet ($45–$110/sqm in Australia) is the most budget-friendly. Vinyl plank and hybrid ($50–$120/sqm) offer a mid-range sweet spot. Engineered timber and solid hardwood ($90–$280/sqm) are premium.
Room size & layout
Larger rooms in Australia homes are cheaper per sqm. Lots of cuts around doorframes, corners, and obstacles increase labour time and waste.
Subfloor condition
If your Australia subfloor is uneven, levelling adds $30–$90/sqm. Concrete slabs often need grinding; timber subfloors may need sheeting. This is a common hidden cost.
Old flooring removal
Removing existing flooring in Australia adds $8–$25/sqm. Carpet is cheap to remove; tiles and glued-down vinyl are more labour-intensive.
Underlay & accessories
Quality underlay adds $5–$15/sqm and significantly affects comfort, noise, and lifespan. Skirting boards, transitions, and thresholds are often quoted separately.
Stairs & multiple levels
Stairs in Australia homes are priced per step ($30–$80 each) and are labour-intensive. Multi-level homes with different flooring types across levels cost more to coordinate. Whether you're searching for cost of tile flooring or tiles flooring cost, the pricing above is based on verified 2026 data.
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About This Guide
Our flooring cost guides cover 14 major Australian cities with location-adjusted pricing. Updated monthly — last reviewed April 2026.