Independent Australian Cost Guides
Updated February 2026
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Cost Guide

Painter Cost Australia 2026

Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform a home. Whether it's a single feature wall or a full exterior repaint, costs depend heavily on surface area, preparation required, and paint quality.

Choose Your City
Sydney
From $81 per hour
Melbourne
From $74 per hour
Brisbane
From $70 per hour
Perth
From $74 per hour
Adelaide
From $64 per hour
Gold Coast
From $69 per hour
Canberra
From $77 per hour
Hobart
From $63 per hour
Darwin
From $81 per hour
Newcastle
From $67 per hour
Geelong
From $65 per hour
Sunshine Coast
From $68 per hour
National Pricing Overview
ServiceLowHighAverage
Painter (hourly rate)$50$100$70 /hr
Single room (walls + ceiling)$300$800$500 per room
Whole interior (3-bed house)$3,000$8,000$5,000 total
Whole interior (4-bed house)$4,500$12,000$7,000 total
Exterior (single-storey)$4,000$10,000$6,500 total
Exterior (two-storey)$6,000$18,000$11,000 total
Feature wall$150$500$300 per wall
Ceiling only (per room)$200$500$320 per room
Door (both sides)$80$200$130 per door
Fence painting/staining$500$2,500$1,200 total
Deck staining$500$2,000$1,100 total
Wallpaper removal + repaint$500$1,500$900 per room

National average prices. Select a city above for location-specific pricing.

Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform a home. In Australia, interior painting typically costs $20–$60 per square metre, while exterior painting runs $30–$80 per square metre. For a standard 3-bedroom house, expect to pay $4,000–$12,000 for interior painting and $6,000–$18,000 for exterior, depending on your city and the condition of the surfaces.

Most painters charge either per square metre or provide a fixed-price quote for the whole job. Hourly rates range from $50 to $100/hr, though per-metre or per-job pricing is far more common and easier to compare between quotes.

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What Affects Painter Costs

Surface condition

Walls in good condition need less preparation. Cracked, flaking, or damaged surfaces require patching, sanding, and priming — which can double the prep time.

Number of coats

Most jobs require two coats plus a primer coat on bare surfaces. Feature walls or dark-to-light colour changes may need 3–4 coats, adding labour and material cost.

Interior vs exterior

Exterior painting costs more due to scaffolding or ladder access, weatherproofing requirements, and the need for more durable (and expensive) paint.

Ceiling height & access

Single-storey homes are straightforward. Double-height ceilings, stairwells, and multi-storey exteriors require scaffolding, which can add $500–$3,000+ to the job.

Paint quality

Budget paint costs $30–$50 per litre. Premium brands (Dulux Wash & Wear, Taubmans Endure) cost $60–$90+ per litre. Better paint covers more evenly and lasts longer.

Number of rooms & colours

More rooms and more colour changes mean more edge-cutting, masking, and clean-up time between colours.

How to Save Money on Painter Costs
1
Get at least 3 itemised quotes that specify the brand and number of coats included
2
Ask to see the painter's licence or registration — requirements vary by state
3
Do your own prep (moving furniture, removing fixtures) to save on labour costs
4
Choose lighter colours if you want to reduce the number of coats needed
5
Book in autumn or winter — painters are less busy and may offer better rates
6
Ask about warranties — reputable painters offer 2–5 year guarantees on their work
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint a house in Australia?
Interior painting for a 3-bedroom house costs $4,000–$12,000. Exterior painting costs $6,000–$18,000. Total cost depends on house size, condition of surfaces, and paint quality.
How much does a painter charge per hour?
Australian painters typically charge $50–$100 per hour, but most jobs are quoted per square metre or as a fixed price. Per-hour pricing is less common and harder to compare.
How long does it take to paint a house?
A 3-bedroom interior typically takes 3–5 days for a two-person crew. Exterior painting takes 4–7 days depending on the house size and prep required.
Do painters supply the paint?
Most professional painters include paint in their quote and prefer to use their own supply for consistency and warranty purposes. You can supply your own, but check with your painter first.
How often should you repaint a house?
Interior walls typically need repainting every 7–10 years. Exterior surfaces need repainting every 5–8 years depending on sun exposure, climate, and paint quality.

About This Guide

Our painter cost guides cover 12 major Australian cities with location-adjusted pricing. Updated quarterly — last reviewed February 2026.