Independent Australian Cost Guides
Updated October 2026

Tiling Cost Australia 2026

Tiling costs vary by tile type, surface area, and complexity. Labour is usually quoted per square metre, with tile supply charged separately.

Typical tiling cost by city — What’s The Damage’s October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources. National movement: +3.7% year on year.
CityTypical rangeYear on year
Sydney$46–$115/sqm↑ +3.8%
Melbourne$42–$105/sqm↑ +3.6%
Brisbane$40–$100/sqm↑ +3.9%
Perth$42–$105/sqm↑ +3.2%
Adelaide$37–$92/sqm↑ +4.3%
Gold Coast$39–$98/sqm↑ +3.9%
Canberra$44–$110/sqm↑ +3.7%
Hobart$36–$90/sqm↑ +3.7%
Darwin$40–$100/sqm↑ +3.7%
Newcastle$38–$95/sqm↑ +3.8%
Geelong$37–$93/sqm↑ +3.6%
Sunshine Coast$44–$110/sqm↑ +3.9%
Townsville$43–$110/sqm↑ +3.9%
Wollongong$43–$110/sqm↑ +3.8%
Byron Bay$42–$105/sqm↑ +3.8%

Choose Your City

Location pin — Sydney
Sydney
From $46 /sqm
+3.8%
Location pin — Melbourne
Melbourne
From $42 /sqm
+3.6%
Location pin — Brisbane
Brisbane
From $40 /sqm
+3.9%
Location pin — Perth
Perth
From $42 /sqm
+3.2%
Location pin — Adelaide
Adelaide
From $37 /sqm
+4.3%
Location pin — Gold Coast
Gold Coast
From $39 /sqm
+3.9%
Location pin — Canberra
Canberra
From $44 /sqm
+3.7%
Location pin — Hobart
Hobart
From $36 /sqm
+3.7%
Location pin — Darwin
Darwin
From $40 /sqm
+3.7%
Location pin — Newcastle
Newcastle
From $38 /sqm
+3.8%
Location pin — Geelong
Geelong
From $37 /sqm
+3.6%
Location pin — Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast
From $44 /sqm
+3.9%
Location pin — Townsville
Townsville
From $43 /sqm
+3.9%
Location pin — Wollongong
Wollongong
From $43 /sqm
+3.8%
Location pin — Byron Bay
Byron Bay
From $42 /sqm
+3.8%
Tiling national pricing overview Australia 2026$$

National Pricing Overview

ServiceLowTypicalHigh
Floor tiling — standard (labour)$40/sqm$60$90
Floor tiling — large format (labour)$60/sqm$85$110
Wall tiling — standard (labour)$40/sqm$60$100
Mosaic / feature tiling (labour)$80/sqm$120$170
Full bathroom tiling, floor + walls (labour)$1,500total$3,000$4,500
Outdoor / patio tiling (labour)$50/sqm$75$110
Tile removal (existing)$20/sqm$35$55
Waterproofing (wet areas)$35/sqm$55$80
Floor levelling / prep$15/sqm$30$50
Tile supply — budget ceramic$20/sqm$35$55
Tile supply — mid-range porcelain$50/sqm$70$120
Tile supply — premium natural stone$100/sqm$150$250
Tiler (hourly rate)$50/hr$70$100
Tiler day rate$500per day$630$800
Tile supply — large format porcelain (600×1200 and larger)$50/sqm$85$160
Tile supply — outdoor / non-slip porcelain (P4–P5, R11+)$40/sqm$65$120
Tile supply — mosaic sheets$75/sqm$150$400
Tile supply — subway / splashback ceramic (75×300, 100×300)$30/sqm$50$100
Natural stone tiling — marble, travertine, limestone (labour)$70/sqm$100$150
Bathroom tiling, floor + walls (supply + install, standard bathroom, excl. waterproofing)$2,800total$5,000$7,500
Kitchen splashback tiling (supply + install)$400total$800$1,200

How tiling prices compare across 15 cities, the $50–$100 hourly band against every other trade and how they move month to month: Tradie Price Index, October 2026 →

Step 1 of 2

What do you need a callback about?

One tap — we'll show you the going rate, then take your number.

You're in.

A local installer will be in touch about your job. No spam, no middleman.

Ready to get quotes for tiling work? Get a quote from a verified local tradie — free, no obligation.

Get free quotes →
Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology

National average prices. Select a city above for location-specific pricing.

Tiling in Australia costs $40–$90/sqm for standard floor tiling (labour only), $40–$100/sqm for wall tiling, and $80–$170/sqm for mosaic or feature work. A full bathroom tiling job runs $1,500–$4,500 in labour. Tile supply is additional — budget $20–$250/sqm depending on the material.

Get fair tiling quotes

Local tradies · Free quotes. No obligation, no spam.

Get Quotes →

Tiling Costs by Tile Type and Location

Tiling costs depend on the tile material, room complexity, and whether waterproofing is needed. Here's what common tiling jobs cost in Australia:

Tile TypeSupply per m²Labour per m²Total per m²
Ceramic (basic)$20–$55$40–$90$60–$145
Porcelain (standard)$50–$120$40–$90$90–$210
Large format (600×1200 and larger)$50–$160$60–$110$110–$270
Natural stone (marble, travertine, limestone)$100–$250$70–$150$170–$400
Mosaic / feature tiles$75–$400$80–$170$155–$570
Subway tiles (splashback)$30–$100$40–$100$70–$200
Outdoor / non-slip$40–$120$50–$110$90–$230

Each total adds the tile supply band to the labour band from our price table above. Waterproofing wet areas ($35–$80 per m²) and removing old tiles ($20–$55 per m²) are extra.

Common Tiling Jobs and What They Cost

Here's what typical residential tiling projects cost all-in, including tile supply, adhesive, grout, and labour:

JobTypical AreaCost Range (all-in)Notes
Bathroom floor4–8m²$520–$1,040Plus waterproofing ($35–$80 per m²)
Bathroom floor + walls25–30m² tiled$2,800–$7,500Tiles + labour, before waterproofing; labour alone $1,500–$4,500
Kitchen splashback2–5m²$400–$1,200Behind cooktop and bench
Laundry floor4–6m²$520–$780Plus waterproofing if wet area
Living area floor20–40m²$2,600–$5,200Porcelain; large format costs more
Outdoor patio15–30m²$2,100–$4,200Non-slip tiles, outdoor adhesive
Pool surround20–40m²$2,800–$5,600Non-slip, frost-resistant
Full house (3-bed)60–100m²$7,800–$13,000Floor tiling throughout, porcelain

The bathroom and splashback rows are our supply-and-install prices for those jobs. The other rows use the typical labour and tile rates from our price table across the area shown ($130 per m² for porcelain floors, $140 outdoors); budget tiles land below them, premium tiles above, and small jobs often carry a minimum charge.

Waterproofing is mandatory for all wet areas (bathrooms, laundries, showers) in Australia under the National Construction Code (AS 3740 or the ABCB Housing Provisions). It is priced by the square metre of wet area ($35–$80 per m²) and must be done before tiling; some states, including NSW and Queensland, require a licence for waterproofing work above a set job value. Tile removal costs $20–$55 per m² if replacing existing tiles. Levelling an uneven subfloor adds $15–$50 per m².

Factors affecting tiling costs in Australia$$

What Affects Tiling Costs in Australia

Tile size & type

Standard tiles (300×300 to 600×600) cost $40–$90/sqm to lay in Australia. Large format (600×1200+) cost more ($60–$110/sqm) due to difficulty. Mosaics are the most expensive ($80–$170/sqm).

Floor vs wall

Wall tiling in Australia ($40–$100/sqm) costs slightly more than floor tiling ($40–$90/sqm) due to the extra difficulty of working vertically and cutting around fixtures.

Surface preparation

Uneven surfaces in your home need levelling ($15–$50/sqm) before tiling. Old tiles may need removing ($20–$55/sqm). Proper prep is essential for a lasting result.

Waterproofing

Wet areas (bathrooms, laundries) in Australia require waterproofing or water-resistant protection ($35–$80/sqm) before tiling. This is required under the National Construction Code, and in some states the waterproofer must hold a licence for jobs above a set value.

Pattern complexity

Straight lay is cheapest. Herringbone, diagonal, and feature patterns take longer and cost more in Australia. The pattern should be agreed before work starts.

Tile supply (separate cost)

Budget ceramic tiles start at $20/sqm. Mid-range porcelain is $50–$120/sqm. Premium natural stone can be $100–$250+/sqm in Australia. This is on top of labour costs.

How to Save Money on Tiling Cost in Australia

1
Get quotes from experienced Australian tilers — ask for labour-only and supply-and-install prices to compare
2
Buy 10% extra tiles for cuts and wastage — matching tiles later from a different batch may show colour differences
3
Ask about waterproofing separately if tiling wet areas in Australia — it's mandatory and should be quoted as a line item
4
Large format tiles look great but cost more to install and require a perfectly level surface
5
Check your tiler's previous work and references — tiling quality varies enormously
6
Don't choose tiles based solely on price — cheap tiles that chip or crack in your home cost more long-term

Frequently Asked Questions — Tiling Cost in Australia

How much does a tiler charge per sqm in Australia?
A tiler in Australia charges $40–$90/sqm for standard floor tiling, $40–$100/sqm for walls, and $80–$170/sqm for mosaic or feature work. These are labour-only rates — tile supply is separate.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in Australia?
Tiling a standard bathroom (floor and walls) in Australia costs $2,800–$7,500 with tiles supplied and laid, typically about $5,000, before waterproofing. Labour alone is $1,500–$4,500; waterproofing adds $35–$80/sqm.
Should I supply my own tiles?
You can, but buying through your tiler often gets trade pricing (10–20% discount). If you supply your own, buy 10% extra and have tiles on-site before the tiler arrives.
How long does tiling take?
A standard bathroom in Australia takes 2–4 days for tiling alone. A whole-house floor (100+ sqm) takes 5–10 days. Waterproofing and drying time is additional.
Do I need waterproofing before tiling?
Yes — wet areas (bathrooms, laundries, showers) in Australia must be made waterproof or water resistant before tiling. This is required by the Building Code of Australia and costs $35–$80/sqm.
What tile size is best?
600×600mm is the most popular all-round size for floors. Larger formats (600×1200) look modern but need leveller surfaces. For walls, subway tiles (75×300) are popular and affordable to install.

Advertise with us

Reach thousands of Australian homeowners researching trade costs. Fill in your details and we'll be in touch within 1 business day.

Thanks! We'll be in touch

Expect a reply within 1 business day.

Got a question about costs?
Chat with Sam
Sam the Platypus
Online now
Powered by What's The Damage