How much does a painter cost in Sydney?
A fresh coat of paint is one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make to a Sydney home — whether you're refreshing tired interiors, protecting weatherboard exteriors, or preparing a property for sale. As of 2026, interior painting in Sydney costs between $20 and $45 per square metre, while exterior painting ranges from $25 to $60 per square metre. For a standard 3-bedroom home, that translates to $4,000–$8,000 for interiors and $5,000–$15,000 for exteriors — or $10,000–$20,000 for a full inside-and-out repaint.
Sydney's climate is simultaneously kind and cruel to paintwork: coastal humidity, salt air, and intense UV radiation all degrade exterior coatings faster than in inland cities. A quality exterior paint job in Sydney should last 8–12 years, while interiors typically hold up for 7–10 years before needing a refresh. The key variables are paint quality, surface preparation (which accounts for 60–70% of a professional painter's time), and the experience of the painter.
We've compiled pricing from licensed painting contractors, manufacturer guidelines, and industry databases to give you the most comprehensive breakdown of painting costs across Greater Sydney for 2026.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painter (hourly rate) | $57 | $115 | $81 /hr |
| Single room (walls + ceiling) | $345 | $920 | $575 per room |
| Whole interior (3-bed house) | $3,450 | $9,200 | $5,750 total |
| Whole interior (4-bed house) | $5,175 | $13,800 | $8,050 total |
| Exterior (single-storey) | $4,600 | $11,500 | $7,475 total |
| Exterior (two-storey) | $6,900 | $20,700 | $12,650 total |
| Feature wall | $173 | $575 | $345 per wall |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $230 | $575 | $368 per room |
| Door (both sides) | $92 | $230 | $150 per door |
| Fence painting/staining | $575 | $2,875 | $1,380 total |
| Deck staining | $575 | $2,300 | $1,265 total |
| Wallpaper removal + repaint | $575 | $1,725 | $1,035 per room |
Prices include GST. Based on Sydney metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Your suburb affects painting costs primarily through property type, access difficulty, and the condition of existing paintwork. Heritage homes cost significantly more than modern builds.
Eastern Suburbs & Inner City
Paddington, Surry Hills, Bondi, Darlinghurst. Victorian terraces with detailed cornices, ceiling roses, picture rails, and skirting boards that require careful cutting-in and often multiple colours. Lead paint is common in pre-1970 homes — testing ($30–$50 per sample) and safe removal adds $2,000–$8,000. High ceilings (3.2m+) require scaffolding inside. Street parking restrictions limit van access and add to setup time. Expect the highest per-metre rates in Sydney.
North Shore & Northern Beaches
Mosman, Manly, Chatswood, Dee Why. Mix of brick veneer, weatherboard, and rendered homes. Coastal suburbs need marine-grade exterior paints with enhanced UV and salt resistance — Dulux Weathershield or equivalent. Multi-storey homes on steep blocks may need exterior scaffolding ($2,000–$6,000). North-facing walls cop the most UV damage and may need repainting sooner than other aspects. High-quality exterior paint is critical in these suburbs — budget brands fade noticeably within 3–5 years.
Western Sydney
Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool. Predominantly modern homes with standard 2.4–2.7m ceilings, minimal decorative detail, and good access. The most affordable area for painting in Sydney. Flat, uniform walls mean painters can work faster with rollers rather than painstaking brush work. Extreme heat in western suburbs can cause exterior paint to blister if applied in full sun — experienced painters start on the shaded side and follow the shade around the house.
Hills District & Sutherland Shire
Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Cronulla, Miranda. Mid-range pricing for mostly 1980s–2000s homes. Larger homes in the Hills (4–5 bedrooms) may seem expensive in total but often have a lower per-m² rate due to economy of scale. The Shire's coastal influence means exterior paintwork degrades faster than inland suburbs. Consider repainting schedules of 8–10 years for coastal exteriors versus 10–14 years for inland.
Here's what common painting projects cost in Sydney in 2026. All prices include labour, paint, and standard preparation (cleaning, sanding, filling minor cracks, masking).
Single room repaint — standard bedroom
Walls and ceiling in a standard 3×4m bedroom with 2.4m ceilings. Includes light sanding, gap filling, one coat primer on patched areas, and two coats of top-quality acrylic. Add $100–$200 for painting door frames, skirting, and window trims in a contrasting colour. Most painters have a minimum job charge of $300–$500, so painting a single small room is less cost-effective than bundling multiple rooms.
Full interior repaint — 3-bedroom house
All walls, ceilings, and trims throughout. A standard 120–150m² home takes 3–5 days with a two-person crew. This includes living areas, bedrooms, hallway, kitchen, and bathrooms. Quality painters use different paint types for different areas: low-sheen for living areas and bedrooms, semi-gloss for bathrooms and kitchens (moisture resistance), and gloss for trims and doors (durability). Expect to pay 10–20% more for a home with ornate cornices, high ceilings, or dark-to-light colour changes.
Exterior repaint — single-storey brick veneer
Pressure wash ($300–$800), repair render cracks ($200–$800), prime bare or patched areas, and two coats of premium exterior acrylic. For a standard 3-bedroom single-storey home. Brick homes are generally cheaper to paint than weatherboard because the surface is more uniform. If the existing paint is in good condition, a single coat may suffice at 30–40% less cost. Add $1,500–$3,000 for fascia, gutters, window frames, and eaves.
Exterior repaint — two-storey weatherboard
Scaffolding ($2,000–$5,000), extensive preparation (scraping, sanding, filling gaps between boards), primer where bare timber is exposed, and two coats of premium exterior acrylic. Weatherboard homes are the most labour-intensive exterior paint job — preparation often takes longer than the actual painting. If the house has lead paint (pre-1970), add $3,000–$8,000 for safe lead paint management. The total timeframe is typically 1–2 weeks for a two-person crew.
Pre-sale refresh — interior only, neutral colour
The most cost-effective home improvement before selling. A fresh coat of a neutral colour (Dulux Lexicon Quarter, Natural White, or similar) throughout the interior makes every room look cleaner, bigger, and more inviting. Real estate agents consistently report that a professional repaint adds 2–5% to the sale price — on a $1.5M Sydney home, that's $30,000–$75,000 return on a $5,000 investment. Focus on walls and ceilings in living areas, bedrooms, and hallway. Skip painting inside wardrobes and storage areas to keep costs down.
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.
Painting in NSW has specific licensing requirements and safety obligations, particularly around lead paint management in older homes.
NSW Fair Trading licence: Painting work over $5,000 (including materials) requires the painter to hold a NSW Fair Trading licence. For work over $20,000, Home Building Compensation insurance is mandatory. Verify your painter's licence at the Service NSW website. Many painters operate without a licence for smaller jobs — while not illegal under $5,000, a licensed painter provides greater accountability and insurance protection.
Lead paint: Any Sydney home built before 1970 is likely to contain lead paint, and homes built before 1997 may contain it. Disturbing lead paint (sanding, scraping, heat stripping) creates toxic dust that's particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women. The Australian Standard AS 4361.2 covers lead paint management. A certified painter will test for lead before preparation, use wet sanding techniques, and contain dust with plastic sheeting. Full lead paint removal on a 3-bedroom home costs $5,000–$15,000 — encapsulation (painting over with a specialised binding primer) is a safer and more affordable alternative at $2,000–$5,000.
Paint quality matters enormously: The difference between a budget and premium exterior paint (e.g., Dulux Wash&Wear vs. Dulux Weathershield) is $30–$60 per room in material cost but 3–5 years in longevity. Always ask what paint brand and product your painter intends to use, and insist on premium exterior-grade for all external surfaces. The labour cost is the same regardless of paint quality — skimping on materials is a false economy.
Sydney's climate is generally kind to painters, but timing still matters — particularly for exterior work where temperature and humidity affect paint curing and adhesion.
Autumn (March–May) is the gold standard for painting in Sydney. Mild temperatures (18–25°C), lower humidity than summer, minimal rain, and consistent conditions mean paint cures perfectly. Painters are coming off the quieter winter and aren't yet booked solid. If you can time your project for March–April, you'll get the best result at a fair price.
Winter (June–August) is excellent for interior painting — no need to open windows for ventilation means less dust and faster work. Exterior work is trickier: morning dew can delay start times, and paint shouldn't be applied below 10°C. Experienced Sydney painters manage this by starting later and finishing earlier. The upside: winter is the cheapest and most available time for painting, with 10–15% savings on quotes.
Spring (September–November) is the most popular time to paint — everyone wants their home looking fresh for summer entertaining and potential property sales. Prices firm up and wait times extend to 2–4 weeks for quality painters. Book in August if you want a spring start.
Summer (December–February) brings challenges: extreme heat causes paint to dry too quickly (creating brush marks and poor adhesion), and afternoon thunderstorms can damage fresh exterior paint. Experienced painters work early mornings and avoid painting in direct sun above 35°C. Holiday rates apply from mid-December to late January, adding 10–20% to labour costs.
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 →