How much does a painter cost in Brisbane?
House painting in Brisbane typically costs $20–$45 per square metre for interiors and $14–$65 per square metre for exteriors, with huge variation driven by surface type, preparation requirements, and the style of home. A standard 3-bedroom brick home costs roughly $6,000–$11,000 for interior repainting and $5,000–$10,000 for exterior, while a full interior-and-exterior repaint runs $12,000–$22,000. Queenslander and post-war timber homes are substantially more expensive — exterior repaints on these iconic Brisbane homes typically run $15,000–$40,000 due to extensive timber detailing, lead paint management, and the scaffolding required for two-storey raised structures.
Brisbane's subtropical climate makes paint selection and preparation more important than in any other Australian capital. UV exposure is relentless — Brisbane averages 283 sunny days annually, and north-facing walls can see surface temperatures exceed 70 degrees in summer. Cheap paint breaks down in 3–5 years under these conditions; premium exterior coatings from Dulux Weathershield, Haymes SolaPaint, or Taubmans Endure last 10–15 years. The additional cost of premium paint ($15–$25 per litre more than budget lines) is offset many times over by the avoided cost of repainting a decade early.
Humidity is the other factor. Brisbane's wet season humidity can cause paint to blister, peel, or fail to cure properly if applied at the wrong time. Professional painters in Brisbane time their exterior work for the dry season and check moisture levels in timber before applying coatings — shortcuts here lead to failures that show up within months. Interior painting is less weather-dependent but still benefits from proper ventilation during application and drying.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Prices include GST. Based on Brisbane metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Single Room Interior Repaint
Total cost: $400–$900
Standard bedroom (3.5m x 4m, 2.7m ceiling). Includes: furniture protection and floor covering, filling nail holes and minor cracks ($50–$100), spot priming ($30–$50), two coats walls in Dulux Wash and Wear or equivalent ($150–$250 in paint), ceiling one coat if needed ($80–$120), trim and skirting touch-up ($50–$100), labour ($200–$400). Total time: 4–6 hours for a single painter. Multiple rooms are more cost-effective per room as setup time is shared.
Full Interior — 3-Bedroom Brick Home
Total cost: $6,500–$10,000
All walls, ceilings, doors, frames, and trims throughout. Preparation including washing, sanding, filling, and priming ($800–$1,500), ceilings in flat white — two coats ($1,000–$1,500), walls in low-sheen — two coats ($2,000–$3,500), all doors, frames, and trims in semi-gloss — two coats ($1,200–$2,000), skirting boards ($400–$800), kitchen and bathroom areas may need moisture-resistant paint ($200–$400 premium). Materials cost approximately $1,500–$2,500 for premium paint. Labour represents 60–75% of total cost. Allow 5–8 working days for a two-person crew.
Exterior Repaint — Standard Brick Home
Total cost: $4,500–$8,000
Eaves, fascia, gutters, downpipes, window frames, doors, and any rendered or timber sections. High-pressure wash ($300–$600), preparation including sanding, scraping loose paint, and caulking gaps ($500–$1,000), spot priming bare timber and metal ($200–$400), two coats to all painted surfaces in premium exterior paint ($1,500–$2,500 in paint), labour ($2,000–$3,500). If the home has never had its brick painted, a full exterior brick paint adds $3,000–$6,000 but transforms the street appeal.
Exterior Repaint — Queenslander or Timber Home
Total cost: $15,000–$35,000
Full exterior timber preparation is the major cost driver. Lead paint testing ($200–$500) — if positive, lead-safe removal adds $3,000–$8,000. Scaffolding for a two-storey raised home ($2,000–$4,000). High-pressure wash and mould treatment ($500–$1,000). Scraping, sanding, and filling all timber surfaces including weatherboards, verandah posts, balustrades, fretwork, window frames, and fascia ($3,000–$6,000). Spot priming all bare timber ($500–$1,000). Three coats premium exterior acrylic to all surfaces ($3,000–$6,000 in paint and labour). Multi-colour schemes (body, trim, and highlight colours) add 15–25% over single-colour work. Allow 2–4 weeks depending on size and condition.
Pre-Sale Refresh Package
Total cost: $3,500–$7,000
Strategic repaint targeting maximum impact for minimum spend. Interior: repaint main living areas, hallway, and master bedroom in neutral tones ($2,500–$4,500). Touch up remaining rooms rather than full repaint ($500–$800). Exterior: pressure wash, touch up any peeling or faded areas, repaint front door and entrance ($500–$1,500). Cabinet painting in kitchen or bathroom if dated ($1,500–$3,000 as add-on). This approach typically delivers $2–$4 return for every $1 spent, according to Brisbane real estate agents.
Surface preparation
Peeling paint, cracks, holes, and water damage all need fixing before painting. Prep can account for 50–70% of the total job time.
Paint quality
Budget paint ($30–$50/can) vs. premium paint ($70–$120/can) affects both cost and longevity. Premium paints last 10+ years vs. 4–6 for budget.
Number of coats
Changing from a dark colour to light (or vice versa) may need 3 coats instead of 2, adding 30–50% more paint and time.
Height and access
Two-storey exteriors require scaffolding ($1,000–$3,000), which significantly increases the cost compared to single-storey.
Surface type
Smooth plasterboard is quick. Textured walls, weatherboard, and brick take longer and use more paint.
Room size and detail
Rooms with lots of windows, doors, and trim require more cutting-in time than simple open walls.
QBCC licence: Painting work valued over $3,300 (including labour and materials) requires the contractor to hold a QBCC "Painting and Decorating" trade contractor licence. This is a specific licence class — a general builder's licence also covers painting work within a broader project. Verify licence status at qbcc.qld.gov.au. An unlicensed painter leaves you with no QBCC complaint or warranty protection.
Lead paint management: Homes built before 1970 are highly likely to contain lead-based paint, and homes built between 1970 and 1997 may contain it. Queensland's Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 requires that lead paint be identified and managed safely during any painting or renovation work. Dry sanding, scraping, or heat stripping lead paint creates hazardous dust. Professional painters should test for lead (XRF gun or sample testing, $200–$500) and implement lead-safe work practices including wet sanding, HEPA-filtered equipment, containment, and proper disposal. The cost of lead-safe preparation adds $2,000–$8,000 to an exterior paint job but is both legally required and essential for occupant health.
Body corporate requirements: For units, townhouses, and homes within body corporate schemes, exterior painting typically requires body corporate approval. Colour choices may be restricted to an approved palette. Some body corporate committees coordinate bulk painting projects to negotiate better rates — a full complex repaint can achieve 15–25% savings per unit compared to individual unit painting.
Environmental requirements: Paint waste, wash water, and scrapings must not enter stormwater drains. Professional painters contain wash water and dispose of paint waste through approved channels. For properties near waterways, additional environmental controls may apply under Brisbane City Council's Environmental Management Framework.
Best timing for exterior: April–September (dry season). Brisbane's ideal painting conditions are 15–30 degrees with low humidity and no rain — which describes most days from April to September. Exterior paint needs surfaces to be completely dry, and the coating itself requires 2–4 hours of dry conditions to skin over before dew falls. Summer storms can interrupt exterior work for days, and humidity above 85% prevents proper paint curing. Interior work can be done year-round with adequate ventilation.
UV and paint life: North and west-facing walls in Brisbane bear the brunt of UV exposure and may need repainting 2–3 years before south and east-facing walls. Premium UV-resistant paints (Dulux Weathershield, Taubmans Endure) are formulated for Australian conditions and significantly outperform standard exterior paints. A paint that costs $80/litre and lasts 12 years is cheaper per year than a $50/litre paint that lasts 5 years.
Mould prevention: Brisbane's humidity creates ideal conditions for mould growth on exterior surfaces, particularly on south-facing walls and under eaves. Before repainting, all mould must be killed (not just painted over) using a commercial mould treatment and allowed to dry completely. Some premium exterior paints include mould inhibitors — ask your painter about anti-mould additives or specifically formulated products.
Colour selection in Brisbane: Light exterior colours reflect heat and reduce cooling costs — a meaningful consideration when your AC is working hard for 6+ months of the year. Dark colours on north-facing walls can increase surface temperatures by 20–30 degrees compared to light colours, accelerating paint degradation and increasing heat transfer into the home. A free colour consultation with your painter or through the Dulux or Haymes colour service can help you choose colours that look great and perform well in Brisbane's conditions.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →