Updated October 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Most tiling jobs in Cairns cost $43–$110/sqm
labour only, depending on tile type
Standard floor tiling in Cairns costs $43–$97/sqm for labour. Wall tiling is $43–$110/sqm. A full bathroom (floor + walls) runs $1,625–$4,850 in labour alone. Tile supply is separate.
+3.9%Tiling costs in Cairns are up around 3.9% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in October 2026.Year on year
Hiring tilers in Cairns starts with one thing: tile size, pattern, surface preparation and waterproofing set the price. Summer maximums average 31.5 °C and July nights stay near 17.2 °C at Cairns Aero (BOM), so heat and humidity shape the job. Flats and apartments are 17.0% of local dwellings, more than the state's 12.5% (ABS 2021), which changes access and approvals. The table below prices 21 tiling jobs for Cairns, with low, typical and high figures, followed by local notes on timing, rules and suburbs.
Comparing cities, or after the Australia-wide picture? See the national guide: Tiling cost in Australia.
Quick answerTiling in Cairns costs $43–$97 /sqm, with most averaging $65 /sqm. GST included — verified October 2026. Get free Cairns quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Tiling Cost in Cairns 2026
Service
Low
Typical
High
Floor tiling — standard (labour)
$43/sqm
$65
$97
Floor tiling — large format (labour)
$65/sqm
$92
$120
Wall tiling — standard (labour)
$43/sqm
$65
$110
Mosaic / feature tiling (labour)
$86/sqm
$130
$185
Full bathroom tiling, floor + walls (labour)
$1,625total
$3,250
$4,850
Outdoor / patio tiling (labour)
$54/sqm
$81
$120
Tile removal (existing)
$22/sqm
$38
$59
Waterproofing (wet areas)
$38/sqm
$59
$86
Floor levelling / prep
$16/sqm
$32
$54
Tile supply — budget ceramic
$22/sqm
$38
$59
Tile supply — mid-range porcelain
$54/sqm
$76
$130
Tile supply — premium natural stone
$110/sqm
$160
$270
Tiler (hourly rate)
$54/hr
$76
$110
Tiler day rate
$540per day
$680
$865
Tile supply — large format porcelain (600×1200 and larger)
Cairns sits in National Construction Code climate zone 1, hot and humid in summer and warm in winter (ABCB climate zone map), and an average February brings 16.0 days of rain (BOM, Cairns Aero). Moist air slows drying and curing and feeds mould, so ask how the tiler deals with moisture, ventilation and drying time on your job.
Queensland licensing
In Queensland, building work worth $3,300 or more needs a QBCC licence, and plumbing, drainage and gas work need one at any value; electricians are licensed through the Electrical Safety Office. Check the tiler's number on the QBCC licensee register before a deposit changes hands.
What Cairns homes look like
Separate houses make up 71.0% of occupied Cairns dwellings, below the 74.8% across Queensland, while flats and apartments are 17.0%, well above the state's 12.5% (ABS 2021 Census). Apartment jobs bring body-corporate rules, lifts and parking into the price; a house brings yards, roof space and longer runs.
How to Save Money on Tiling Cost in Cairns
1
Ask the tiler how drying time and moisture are handled in Cairns humidity, and get it written into the quote.
2
Check the tiler's licence on the QBCC register before paying a deposit.
3
In an apartment, check body-corporate rules, parking and lift bookings before the tiler arrives.
4
Get three written quotes with the same scope, so the Cairns prices line up item by item.
5
Ask what the quote leaves out: call-out, disposal, travel past the northern beaches or south of Edmonton.
6
Photograph the job and send it with the request so the quote starts closer to the real scope.
Before you commit — compare your options
Side-by-side guides covering the decisions that most change your final tiling cost.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tiling Cost in Cairns
How much is floor tiling — standard (labour) in Cairns?
Our Cairns table puts floor tiling — standard (labour) at $43–$97 a square metre, and $65 is typical. Quotes outside that band usually mean a different scope, access problems or wet-season urgency.
How much is tile supply — mid-range porcelain in Cairns?
Our Cairns table puts tile supply — mid-range porcelain at $54–$130 a square metre, and $76 is typical. Quotes outside that band usually mean a different scope, access problems or wet-season urgency.
When is the best time to book tiling in Cairns?
For most tiling, the dry months from June to October, when Cairns Aero averages under 50 mm of rain a month (BOM). January to March averages 404.8–436.1 mm a month, and the cyclone season runs from November to April.
Do I need a licensed tiler in Cairns?
Queensland requires a QBCC licence for building work worth $3,300 or more, and for plumbing, drainage and gas work at any value. Check any tiler on the QBCC register before work starts.
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →