Planning a kitchen renovation in Australia? The first question everyone asks is simple: how much will it cost? The answer depends on whether you're doing a cosmetic refresh or a full gut-and-replace — and the gap between those two is enormous.
We've compiled pricing data from across Australia to build a complete kitchen renovation cost breakdown for 2026. Every figure below comes from real trade data, supplier quotes, and completed project costs — not guesswork.
Kitchen renovation cost by scope
The total kitchen renovation price in Australia depends primarily on scope — what you're actually changing. Here are the five main tiers of kitchen remodel cost:
| Renovation Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (reface + paint) | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Budget renovation (flat-pack cabinetry) | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Premium renovation (custom joinery) | $45,000–$80,000 |
| Luxury / high-end | $80,000–$150,000+ |
The average kitchen remodel cost for most Australian homeowners falls in the mid-range bracket: $25,000–$45,000. This gets you new cabinetry (semi-custom or better flat-pack), a stone or engineered benchtop, tiled splashback, updated appliances, and the plumbing and electrical work to connect everything.
Line-by-line cost breakdown
Here's where the kitchen renovation budget actually goes. Understanding each line item helps you make informed trade-offs — spending more on cabinetry and less on a splashback, for example.
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Custom cabinetry | $8,000–$25,000 |
| Benchtop — laminate | $800–$2,000 |
| Benchtop — engineered stone | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Splashback — tiled | $800–$2,500 |
| Splashback — glass | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Electrical rough-in | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Flooring | $40–$120 /sqm |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Appliances (mid-range set) | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Painting & finishing | $500–$1,500 |
Cabinetry is the single biggest line item, typically 35–40% of the total renovation price. The gap between flat-pack ($3,000–$8,000 installed) and custom joinery ($8,000–$25,000) is where most of the cost variation lives.
Kitchen renovation cost per square metre
Some builders and designers quote kitchen renovation costs per square metre. As a rough guide:
| Renovation Tier | Cost per sqm |
|---|---|
| Budget | $800–$1,200 |
| Mid-range | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Premium | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Luxury | $5,000+ |
A typical Australian kitchen is 10–15 square metres. But per-square-metre pricing is a rough guide at best — the real cost drivers are layout changes, materials, and appliance choices, not floor area alone. A 10sqm kitchen with a layout change and stone benchtops will cost far more than a 15sqm kitchen getting a cosmetic refresh.
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Try the Quote Checker →How kitchen renovation prices vary by city
Kitchen remodel costs in Australia aren't uniform — they shift significantly between cities. Sydney is the most expensive market, running about 15% above the national average. Adelaide, Hobart, and Geelong come in 7–10% below.
| City | Mid-Range Kitchen Reno |
|---|---|
| Sydney | $28,750–$51,750 |
| Melbourne | $26,250–$47,250 |
| Brisbane | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Perth | $26,250–$47,250 |
| Adelaide | $23,000–$41,400 |
| Canberra | $27,500–$49,500 |
| Gold Coast | $24,500–$44,100 |
| Hobart | $22,500–$40,500 |
| Darwin | $28,750–$51,750 |
These city prices reflect local labour rates, material availability, and demand. See our full city guides for detailed breakdowns including suburb-level pricing.
What affects your kitchen renovation price
Beyond scope and city, several factors push the price up or down:
Keeps costs down
Keeping the existing layout (no plumbing or electrical relocation), using flat-pack or semi-custom cabinetry, choosing laminate benchtops, doing your own demolition, and scheduling work during quieter months (May–August).
Pushes costs up
Relocating plumbing or gas, knocking out walls, custom joinery, stone benchtops over 30mm, glass splashbacks, island benches requiring new plumbing, and premium European appliances.
The single biggest cost driver is whether you're changing the kitchen layout. Moving the sink, cooktop, or fridge requires plumbing and electrical relocation — which alone can add $3,000–$9,000 to the total.
Small kitchen renovation cost
If you have a smaller kitchen (under 8 square metres), you'll save on materials but not as much on labour. Plumbing, electrical, and installation costs are similar regardless of kitchen size. Expect:
| Small Kitchen Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (under 8sqm) | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Full reno (under 8sqm) | $15,000–$30,000 |
| Full reno with layout change | $25,000–$40,000 |
For small kitchens, keeping the existing layout and plumbing positions is the single most effective way to control costs.
How to budget: a worked example
Here's how a real $35,000 mid-range kitchen renovation typically breaks down:
| Component | % of Budget | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | 37% | $13,000 |
| Appliances | 17% | $6,000 |
| Benchtops | 11% | $3,800 |
| Plumbing | 9% | $3,200 |
| Electrical | 7% | $2,500 |
| Demo & disposal | 6% | $2,000 |
| Splashback | 5% | $1,800 |
| Flooring | 5% | $1,700 |
| Paint & finishing | 3% | $1,000 |
| Total | 100% | $35,000 |
Renovation vs. cosmetic refresh: which is worth it?
Not every kitchen needs a full renovation. Here's when each approach makes sense:
Cosmetic refresh ($8k–$20k)
Good layout, solid carcasses, just dated doors and surfaces. Reface cabinets, new benchtop and splashback, paint, update handles and lighting. Takes 1–2 weeks.
Full renovation ($25k–$80k)
Poor layout, damaged cabinets, outdated plumbing or wiring, or you need more storage. Gut the space and start fresh. Takes 4–8 weeks.
A cosmetic refresh delivers the biggest visual impact per dollar spent. If the bones are good, you can transform a kitchen for under $15,000. But if the layout doesn't work or the plumbing is old, a full renovation is the better long-term investment.
How to get the best kitchen renovation price
Our data consistently shows that homeowners who follow these steps pay 10–15% less than those who don't:
- Get at least 3 detailed quotes — compare scope and inclusions, not just the bottom-line number
- Lock in your layout before getting quotes — changing the plan mid-project is the #1 budget killer
- Allocate your budget roughly: 40% cabinetry, 15% benchtops, 15% appliances, 30% trades and installation
- Ask about lead times — custom cabinetry takes 6–12 weeks, and delays mean extended demolition periods
- Visit kitchen showrooms in person to compare materials before committing to a quote
- Check your renovator holds the appropriate builder's licence for your state and contract value
Use our Quote Checker to see how your kitchen renovation quote compares to current Australian pricing data.