Quick answer: Interior painting costs $25–$55/m² · Exterior painting $15–$40/m² · Roof painting $1,500–$6,000 · Fence painting $15–$35/lineal metre. Scroll down for detailed room-by-room breakdowns.
Interior House Painting Costs
Interior painting is the most common painting job in Australia. Prices vary by room size, paint quality, ceiling height, and surface condition.
| Scope | Typical Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Interior walls — per square metre | $25 – $55/m² |
| Ceiling painting — per square metre | $15 – $30/m² |
| Single bedroom (walls + ceiling) | $400 – $750 |
| Living/dining room (large) | $800 – $2,000 |
| Kitchen | $300 – $700 |
| Bathroom | $300 – $600 |
| Full 3-bedroom house interior | $3,500 – $8,000 |
| Full 4-bedroom house interior | $4,500 – $12,000+ |
Trim painting (skirtings, doors, architraves) is usually quoted separately. Doors cost $80–$150 each and skirtings cost $3–$8 per lineal metre.
Exterior House Painting Costs
Exterior painting costs depend heavily on surface type, property size, condition of the existing paint, and access requirements.
| Scope | Typical Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Exterior walls — per square metre | $15 – $40/m² |
| Full exterior — single storey 3-bed | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Full exterior — double storey | $6,000 – $15,000+ |
| Eaves, fascias & gutters | $500 – $2,000 extra |
| Brick painting / painting render | $18 – $35/m² |
| Weatherboard painting | $20 – $45/m² |
Roof Painting Costs
Roof painting prices include high-pressure cleaning, repointing mortar on tile ridges, sealer coat, and two coats of roof membrane or paint.
| Roof Type | Typical Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Concrete tile roof (average home) | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Terracotta tile roof | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| Metal (Colorbond) roof | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Large or steep roof | $4,000 – $8,000+ |
Fence & Deck Painting Costs
| Scope | Typical Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Timber fence painting — per lineal metre | $15 – $35/lm |
| Colorbond fence painting | $12 – $25/lm |
| Deck painting/staining — per square metre | $20 – $50/m² |
| Deck restoration (sand & refinish) | $35 – $80/m² |
What Affects Painting Costs Most?
- Surface preparation: Peeling paint, bare timber, and filling holes all add time and cost.
- Paint quality: Premium paints (Dulux Weathershield, Taubmans Endure, Haymes Platinum) cost more but last longer.
- Access: High ceilings, scaffolding requirements, or difficult site access adds cost.
- Number of coats: Most jobs require a primer plus 2 finish coats. Heavily changed colours may need 3 coats.
- Location: Pricing in Sydney and Melbourne tends to be higher than regional areas due to labour rates.
How to Get an Accurate Painting Quote
The only way to get an accurate price for your specific job is to have a painter inspect your property or view detailed photos. Per-m² rates are useful for rough budgeting, but professional painters price jobs holistically — factoring in surface condition, access, colour change, and scope.
The best way to know you're paying a fair price is to get 3 quotes from different painters and compare them. Painting Pages makes this free and easy — post your job once and up to 3 verified local painters will send you free quotes.
Painting Cost by Australian City
Painting costs vary across Australia. Here's a general guide by city:
| City | Interior (per room, avg) | Exterior (3-bed, avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $600 – $900 | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| Melbourne | $550 – $850 | $4,500 – $8,500 |
| Brisbane | $450 – $750 | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Perth | $500 – $800 | $4,000 – $7,500 |
| Gold Coast | $450 – $700 | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| Adelaide | $400 – $700 | $3,000 – $6,500 |