House Painting Cost Guide, Australia 2026
Price ranges based on current Australian market rates. Actual costs vary by city, surface condition, and paint quality.
Interior painting, full house by city
Sydney (3-bed house)$7,000–$12,000
Melbourne (3-bed house)$6,500–$11,000
Brisbane (3-bed house)$5,500–$9,500
Perth (3-bed house)$6,000–$10,000
Adelaide (3-bed house)$5,000–$8,500
Hobart (3-bed house)$4,500–$7,500
Figures are for interior walls and ceilings of a standard 3-bedroom home with 2.4m ceilings. Trim, doors, and exterior work add to the total.
Per-room and per-metre rates
Interior room (standard ceiling)$850–$1,400
Interior room (3m+ ceiling)$1,050–$1,750
Exterior walls$25–$55/m²
Room rates include walls, ceiling, and basic trim preparation. Exterior rates are per m² of wall area and include preparation and two finish coats.
What affects the price
- ·Surface prep: The biggest variable. Walls in poor condition needing filling, sanding, and priming can add 35–60% to the cost.
- ·Ceiling height: Rooms with 3m or higher ceilings require extra ladder or scaffold work, adding 20–30% to labour.
- ·Colour change: Going dark to light needs primer and extra coats, adding $800–$1,500 to a full-house job.
- ·Location: Sydney labour rates run 20–25% above Brisbane. Melbourne sits around 15–20% above Brisbane.
- ·Paint quality: Premium paints cost more upfront but last significantly longer and are easier to clean.
Common questions
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