How much does a painter cost in Perth?
Perth's dry Mediterranean climate is generally kind to paintwork — less humidity and rainfall than eastern capitals means exterior paint typically lasts longer. However, Perth's intense UV radiation (among the highest in any Australian capital) and coastal salt air create their own challenges. As of 2026, interior painting in Perth costs between $20 and $45 per square metre, while exterior painting runs $15 to $55 per square metre. For a standard 3-bedroom home, that translates to $4,000–$8,000 for interiors and $3,500–$10,000 for exteriors.
Perth sits 5–15% below Sydney for painting costs and roughly on par with Brisbane. The city's housing stock is predominantly single-storey brick or rendered homes on flat blocks — straightforward to paint compared to Sydney's multi-level terraces or Brisbane's Queenslanders. This accessibility helps keep Perth painting costs competitive. Painter labour rates typically range from $40 to $60 per hour, with most jobs quoted per square metre for transparency.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painter (hourly rate) | $53 | $105 | $74 /hr |
| Single room (walls + ceiling) | $315 | $840 | $525 per room |
| Whole interior (3-bed house) | $3,150 | $8,400 | $5,250 total |
| Whole interior (4-bed house) | $4,725 | $12,600 | $7,350 total |
| Exterior (single-storey) | $4,200 | $10,500 | $6,825 total |
| Exterior (two-storey) | $6,300 | $18,900 | $11,550 total |
| Feature wall | $158 | $525 | $315 per wall |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $210 | $525 | $336 per room |
| Door (both sides) | $84 | $210 | $137 per door |
| Fence painting/staining | $525 | $2,625 | $1,260 total |
| Deck staining | $525 | $2,100 | $1,155 total |
| Wallpaper removal + repaint | $525 | $1,575 | $945 per room |
Prices include GST. Based on Perth metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Western & Coastal Suburbs
Cottesloe, Claremont, Nedlands, Scarborough. Higher expectations and older character homes push prices up. Salt air in coastal suburbs demands marine-grade exterior paints with enhanced UV and corrosion resistance. Homes within 1km of the coast need repainting more frequently (every 5–7 years vs 8–12 years inland). Lead paint testing essential in pre-1970 homes — particularly fibro-clad cottages in Fremantle and Cottesloe.
Northern Suburbs
Joondalup, Wanneroo, Duncraig, Hillarys. Standard pricing with good access. Predominantly 1980s–2000s brick or rendered homes. Moderate competition among local painters. North-facing rendered walls cop the most UV damage — look for chalking, fading, and hairline cracks as signs it's time to repaint.
Southern Suburbs
Rockingham, Mandurah, Baldivis, Armadale. Most affordable painting rates in metro Perth. Newer homes with rendered exteriors and standard interiors. Painters can work efficiently on uniform surfaces. Pre-sale repaints are particularly common in these growth areas where investment properties turn over regularly.
Eastern & Hills Suburbs
Kalamunda, Mundaring, Midland. Hills properties may have access challenges and multi-level designs that increase scaffolding costs. The cooler microclimate in the hills can affect drying times in winter. Established homes (1960s–80s) in Midland and surrounds may need significant preparation — old paint layers, surface damage from weathering, and potential lead paint in pre-1970 buildings.
Full interior repaint — 3-bedroom home
Walls, ceilings, and trims throughout a standard 120–150m² home. Takes 3–4 days with a two-person crew. Perth's dry air means excellent drying conditions year-round. Low-sheen acrylic for living areas, semi-gloss for wet areas, and gloss for trims is the standard approach. Perth's abundant natural light means colour choice matters more — test samples on your actual walls, as colours read differently in Perth's bright light compared to showroom conditions.
Exterior repaint — single-storey rendered home
Pressure wash ($300–$500), crack repair in render ($200–$500), primer on bare patches, and two coats of premium exterior acrylic. Perth's UV intensity makes paint quality critical — premium UV-resistant paints (Dulux Weathershield, Taubmans Endure) justify their cost with 8–12 year life versus 4–6 years for budget alternatives. Light colours (whites, creams, pale greys) reflect more heat and last significantly longer than dark colours under Perth's sun.
Exterior repaint — two-storey brick home
Scaffolding ($1,500–$3,500), pressure wash, preparation, primer where needed, and two coats. Two-storey homes are common in Perth's newer suburbs — scaffolding is the main cost difference versus single-storey. Painting brick requires a specific approach: sealer coat to manage porosity, followed by quality exterior acrylic. Once painted, brick needs repainting every 8–12 years to maintain appearance.
Pre-sale refresh — interior neutral repaint
The highest-ROI improvement before selling. A fresh coat of neutral colour (Dulux Natural White or Lexicon Quarter are Perth agent favourites) throughout the interior. On a $700,000 Perth property, a $3,500 repaint can add $15,000–$35,000 to the sale price by presenting a clean, move-in-ready home. Focus on walls and ceilings; skip wardrobes and storage to keep costs lean.
Roof painting — metal or tile
High-pressure clean, rust treatment (metal) or rebedding (tile), primer, and two coats of roof membrane. Perth's dry climate means roof coatings last well — expect 10–15 year life from a quality application. Light colours (Surfmist, Shale Grey) reduce attic temperatures and cooling costs noticeably in Perth's hot summers, where roof cavity temperatures can exceed 60°C in dark-roofed homes.
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.
Painter registration: In Western Australia, painters performing work valued over $20,000 must be registered with the Building Services Board under DMIRS. For smaller jobs, registration isn't legally required, but hiring a registered painter provides greater accountability and insurance protection. Verify registration at the DMIRS website.
Lead paint: Perth homes built before 1970 are likely to contain lead paint, and those before 1997 may contain it. The original fibro cottages in suburbs like Fremantle, Subiaco, and Mount Lawley are highest risk. Lead paint disturbed during preparation creates toxic dust — professional painters test before sanding or scraping and use wet methods and containment to manage risk. Full lead paint remediation costs $3,000–$10,000 depending on extent.
Asbestos awareness: Perth's fibro (asbestos cement) homes are common in 1950s–80s suburbs. If your home has fibro cladding, it may contain asbestos. Painting over intact fibro is safe, but any sanding, drilling, or scraping requires asbestos management. Professional painters know to avoid disturbing fibro surfaces — if your painter suggests sanding fibro walls, find a different painter.
Perth's climate is excellent for painting most of the year, but some seasons are notably better than others.
Autumn (March–May) and Spring (September–November) are ideal. Mild temperatures (18–28°C), low humidity, and minimal rain create perfect conditions for both interior and exterior work. Paint cures optimally, colours develop true, and drying times are predictable.
Summer (December–February) is manageable but challenging. Extreme heat (35–42°C on hot days) causes paint to dry too quickly, leading to brush marks, poor adhesion, and lap marks. Experienced Perth painters start at first light and wrap up by midday on extreme heat days. Metal surfaces become dangerously hot. Interior work is less affected if the house has adequate cooling.
Winter (June–August) is Perth's wet season, but the city gets far less rain than eastern capitals. Dry winter days (typically 15–22°C) are perfectly fine for painting. The main risk is unexpected rain — exterior work needs weather monitoring, and projects may be interrupted by wet days. Interior work is unaffected. Some painters offer winter discounts of 5–10% due to lower demand.
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 →