Painter Cost Australia 2026
Whether it's a single room or a full exterior repaint, painting costs depend on the size of the job, surface condition, and paint quality.
| City | Typical range | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $300–$12,000 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Melbourne | $315–$12,600 | ↑ +3.9% |
| Brisbane | $300–$12,000 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Perth | $315–$12,600 | ↑ +3.5% |
| Adelaide | $275–$11,050 | ↑ +4.6% |
| Gold Coast | $295–$11,750 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Canberra | $300–$12,000 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Hobart | $270–$10,800 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Darwin | $300–$12,000 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Newcastle | $285–$11,400 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Geelong | $280–$11,150 | ↑ +3.9% |
| Sunshine Coast | $290–$11,650 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Townsville | $325–$12,950 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Wollongong | $325–$12,950 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Byron Bay | $315–$12,600 | ↑ +4.1% |
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National Pricing Overview
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painter (hourly rate) | $40/hr | $60 | $100 |
| Single room (walls + ceiling) | $300per room | $650 | $1,000 |
| Whole interior (3-bed house) | $4,000total | $6,500 | $9,500 |
| Whole interior (4-bed house) | $4,500total | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Exterior (single-storey) | $4,000total | $6,500 | $10,000 |
| Exterior (two-storey) | $7,500total | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| Feature wall | $150per wall | $300 | $500 |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $200per room | $320 | $500 |
| Door (both sides) | $80per door | $130 | $200 |
| Fence painting/staining | $500total | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| Deck staining | $500total | $1,100 | $2,000 |
| Wallpaper removal + repaint | $500per room | $900 | $1,500 |
| Painter day rate | $350per day | $500 | $650 |
| Interior painting per m2 (wall/ceiling surface area) | $20/sqm | $30 | $40 |
| Exterior painting per m2 (wall surface area) | $25/sqm | $40 | $60 |
| Whole interior (2-bed unit / apartment) | $2,500total | $4,200 | $6,500 |
| Exterior (timber weatherboard / Queenslander house, full timber prep) | $9,000total | $15,000 | $24,000 |
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Painting in Australia costs $40–$100 per hour for a licensed painter, or $300–$1,000 for a single room (walls and ceiling). A whole-house interior repaint for a 3-bedroom costs $4,000–$9,500, while exterior repainting runs $4,000–$10,000.
We've compiled pricing from painters across Australia as of October 2026. All prices include GST.
Painting Costs by Job Type
Painters in Australia typically quote by square metre for large areas or per room for smaller jobs. Here's what common painting jobs cost, including preparation and materials:
| Job | Cost Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Single room (walls + ceiling) | $300–$1,000 | Prep, 2 coats, standard paint |
| Full interior (3-bed house) | $4,000–$9,500 | All rooms, hallways, ceilings |
| Full interior (4-bed house) | $4,500–$12,000 | All rooms, hallways, ceilings |
| Exterior — single storey | $4,000–$10,000 | Walls, trim, prep, 2 coats |
| Exterior — double storey | $7,500–$18,000 | Walls, trim, prep, scaffolding |
| Interior doors (per door) | $80–$200 | Sand, prime, 2 coats |
| Kitchen cabinets | $1,500–$4,000 | Sand, prime, spray or brush, 2–3 coats |
| Feature wall / accent colour | $150–$500 | Prep, 2 coats, cut-in edges |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $200–$500 | Prep, 2 coats flat white |
| Fence painting (per lineal metre) | $20–$50 | Stain or paint, both sides |
Preparation work (filling holes, sanding, removing wallpaper, priming) usually makes up 30–50% of the total labour time. Quotes that skip preparation are a red flag — paint won't adhere properly to unprepared surfaces, and the job will fail within 1–2 years.
Interior vs Exterior Painting: Cost Comparison
Exterior painting generally costs 20–40% more than interior due to scaffolding, weather exposure, and surface preparation requirements. Here's how they compare:
| Factor | Interior | Exterior |
|---|---|---|
| Rate per m² | $20–$40 | $25–$60 |
| Typical 3-bed house | $4,000–$9,500 | $4,000–$10,000 (single storey) |
| Scaffolding | Rarely needed | $1,500–$5,000 for double storey |
| Prep required | Fill, sand, spot-prime | Pressure wash, scrape, sand, prime |
| Paint type | Low VOC acrylic (washable) | Exterior acrylic or membrane |
| Durability | 8–12 years interior | 7–10 years exterior |
| Weather dependency | None | Rain, wind, temperature affect scheduling |
Premium paints (Dulux Wash & Wear, Taubmans Endure) cost $70–$100/L vs budget paints at $30–$50/L, but they cover better, last longer, and require fewer coats. Most professional painters use mid-to-premium ranges — if a quote uses very cheap paint, expect a shorter lifespan.
What Affects Painter Costs in Australia
Interior vs exterior
Interior painting in Australia ($4,000–$9,500 for a 3-bed) is generally cheaper than exterior ($4,000–$10,000) due to weather exposure, scaffolding needs, and prep work on external surfaces.
Surface condition
Freshly plastered walls are easy. Older Australian homes with peeling paint, cracks, or wallpaper removal need extensive prep, which adds to labour costs.
Number of coats
Two coats over a primer is standard. Dark-to-light colour changes may need 3+ coats. Extra coats add to paint costs and labour time.
Ceiling height & access
Standard 2.4m ceilings are straightforward. Higher ceilings in older Australian homes need scaffolding or platform ladders, increasing cost and time.
Paint quality
Budget paint vs premium (for example Dulux Wash & Wear) affects both finish quality and longevity. Most Australian painters recommend mid-range to premium for interiors.
Trim & detail work
Painting doors, window frames, skirting boards, and architraves is labour-intensive. A feature wall ($150–$500 in Australia) with a different colour or texture adds cost.
How to Save Money on Painter Cost in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions — Painter Cost in Australia
About This Guide
Our painter cost guides cover 14 major Australian cities with location-adjusted pricing. Updated monthly — last reviewed October 2026.
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