How Much Does House Painting Cost in Australia 2026
Whether your walls are looking tired, your weatherboards are peeling, or you just want to freshen things up before selling, the first question is always the same: how much do painters actually charge? The short answer for 2026 is $20–$60 per square metre depending on interior vs exterior, surface condition, and paint quality. The long answer fills the rest of this guide.
We'll break down per-room rates, per-square-metre pricing for interior and exterior work, how paint quality affects your bill, and what prep work costs when surfaces aren't in great shape.
Want a quick number right now? Try the free painting quote calculator — takes 30 seconds and gives you a tailored estimate for your job.
Average house painting costs in Australia 2026
Here's what Australian homeowners are paying this year for professional painting, broken down by job type:
| Job type | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior — 3-bedroom house | $4,500 – $9,000 | Walls and ceilings, standard prep |
| Interior — 4-bedroom house | $6,500 – $12,000 | Walls, ceilings, hallways, skirting |
| Exterior — single storey | $5,000 – $12,000 | Weatherboard or render, includes basic prep |
| Exterior — double storey | $9,000 – $18,000 | Scaffold hire adds $1,500–$3,500 |
| Full house (interior + exterior) | $12,000 – $25,000 | Best value if done together |
| Single room repaint | $400 – $900 | Standard bedroom, walls and ceiling |
These figures assume homes in reasonable condition. If your walls have major cracks, extensive peeling, or water damage, prep costs push things higher — more on that below.
Price disclaimer: This is a price indication only. Your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.
Interior painting cost per square metre
Interior painting rates depend on surface type, ceiling height, and how much cutting-in is needed around windows, doors and architraves. Here's what painters are charging per square metre across Australia in 2026:
| Surface | Cost per m² | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Walls — standard (2 coats) | $20 – $35 | Light sand, spot fill, 2 coats premium acrylic |
| Walls — fresh plaster | $18 – $28 | Sealer coat + 2 top coats on new plasterboard |
| Ceilings — flat | $22 – $38 | Flat white, 2 coats, standard height |
| Ceilings — high (3m+) | $30 – $50 | Scaffolding or extended ladder access required |
| Trim and skirting | $8 – $15 per linear metre | Sand, prime if bare timber, 2 coats enamel |
| Doors | $80 – $180 each | Both sides, sand, 2 coats |
| Feature walls / dark colours | $28 – $45 | Extra coats needed for full coverage |
For a standard 4m x 4m bedroom with 2.7m ceilings, you're looking at roughly 44 m² of wall area plus 16 m² of ceiling. At mid-range rates, that's $400–$700 per room for walls and ceiling — which lines up with what most painters quote for a straightforward bedroom repaint.
If you're also dealing with cracked or damaged walls, you might want a plastering quote before the painter starts.
Exterior painting cost per square metre
Exterior work costs more than interior. You're dealing with weather exposure, height access, more surface prep, and tougher paint systems. Here's the breakdown:
| Surface type | Cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rendered walls | $25 – $45 | Pressure wash, fill cracks, 2 coats exterior acrylic |
| Weatherboard (timber) | $35 – $60 | Sand/scrape, spot prime, 2–3 coats acrylic |
| Weatherboard (Hardies/fibre cement) | $28 – $45 | Less prep than timber, 2 coats |
| Brick (painted) | $20 – $35 | Wash, 2 coats |
| Brick (unpainted — first coat) | $30 – $50 | Sealer + 2 coats, more paint absorption |
| Fascia and gutters | $10 – $18 per linear metre | Sand, spot prime, 2 coats |
| Eaves | $25 – $40 | Overhead work, access issues |
| Window frames | $50 – $120 each | Sand back, prime bare spots, 2 coats enamel |
Weatherboard homes are the most expensive to paint because of the prep involved. Old timber boards often need scraping, sanding, filling, and spot-priming before any top coat goes on. If you have a classic Queenslander or a Victorian weatherboard terrace, budget at the higher end.
For homes with textured render that needs repair before painting, a rendering cost calculator can help you price up that portion separately.
Paint quality tiers and how they affect cost
Not all paint is created equal, and the product your painter uses makes a real difference to both the finish and how long it lasts. Here's how paint quality tiers affect your total job cost:
| Paint tier | Product cost (per litre) | Coverage | Durability | Impact on total job cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Builder grade | $40 – $65 | 12–14 m²/L | 3–5 years before fading | Cheapest option. Fine for rentals or pre-sale. |
| Mid-range | $70 – $95 | 14–16 m²/L | 7–10 years | Best value for most homeowners. Good washability. |
| Premium | $100 – $140 | 16–18 m²/L | 10–15 years | Superior coverage, one-coat touch-ups, stain resistant. |
| Ultra-premium / specialty | $140 – $200+ | 16–20 m²/L | 15+ years | Extreme durability for harsh exteriors, self-priming. |
On a typical 3-bedroom interior repaint, the difference between builder grade and premium paint adds roughly $800–$1,500 to the total bill. But premium paint lasts twice as long and covers better — meaning fewer coats on dark colours and less chance of needing a repaint in five years.
Our take: For your own home, mid-range or premium is worth it. For an investment property between tenants, builder grade does the job.
Prep work — the hidden cost most people forget
Painting is only as good as the prep underneath. If your painter's quote seems cheap, check what's included for preparation. Corners get cut here more than anywhere else.
Common prep tasks and their costs:
- Washing / pressure cleaning — $200–$600 for a full exterior wash
- Sanding and scraping (exterior timber) — $500–$2,500 depending on how much flaking paint exists
- Crack filling and patching — $150–$500 for minor wall repairs
- Plaster repairs (interior) — $300–$1,200 for damaged sections
- Removing wallpaper — $15–$30 per m² (labour-intensive and slow)
- Priming bare surfaces — $8–$15 per m² (timber, new plaster, or bare render)
- Mould treatment — $200–$500 for affected areas
- Caulking gaps (around windows, trim) — $150–$400
For a house in good nick, prep might add 10–15% to the painting cost. For an older home with peeling paint, damaged timber, or mould issues, prep can add 30–50% on top. A good painter will always tell you upfront what prep is needed — be suspicious of anyone who just quotes "two coats over the top" without looking at the surface condition.
Need to get your surfaces sorted first? Check out the construction and building calculators for plastering, rendering, and other trades that work alongside painters.
Per-room painting cost guide
For homeowners who just want to know "what does it cost to paint my lounge room?", here's a per-room guide based on standard ceiling heights (2.4–2.7m):
| Room | Size (approx) | Cost range (walls + ceiling) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bedroom | 3.5m x 3.5m | $400 – $750 |
| Master bedroom | 4.5m x 4.5m | $550 – $950 |
| Living room | 5m x 6m | $700 – $1,300 |
| Kitchen | 3.5m x 4m | $450 – $800 |
| Bathroom | 2.5m x 3m | $300 – $550 |
| Hallway | 1.2m x 8m | $350 – $700 |
| Stairwell | Varies | $500 – $1,200 (height access adds cost) |
| Garage (single) | 3m x 6m | $350 – $650 |
These ranges include walls and ceiling with standard prep (light sand, spot fill). Add 20–30% if you're going from a dark colour to a light one (extra coats required) or if the room has lots of detailed trim work.
How to get the best deal on house painting
You don't need to go with the cheapest quote — in fact, that's usually a mistake. But there are smart ways to keep costs reasonable:
Bundle rooms together. Painters give better per-room rates when you're getting the whole house done versus one room at a time. Setup, travel, and clean-up happen once instead of five times.
Do your own prep. Moving furniture, removing curtain rods, taking switch plate covers off, and filling small nail holes yourself can save $200–$500 on a whole-house job.
Be flexible on timing. Painters are busiest in spring and summer. Book for autumn or early winter and you may get 10–15% better pricing.
Don't change colours mid-job. Picking your colours before the painter starts avoids wasted paint and extra coats. Get sample pots and test them on the wall first.
Get three quotes minimum. Compare line by line — make sure each quote specifies number of coats, paint brand and product, prep included, and what's excluded.
Use a calculator for a baseline. Before you call anyone, get a painting estimate here so you know what range to expect. It makes comparing quotes much easier.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much do painters charge per hour in Australia? A: Most painters charge $50–$80 per hour, but almost all residential work is quoted by the job or by the square metre rather than hourly. Hourly rates are more common for small patch-up jobs or day labour.
Q: How much does it cost to paint a 3-bedroom house interior? A: Between $4,500 and $9,000 for walls and ceilings throughout, depending on ceiling height, surface condition, and paint quality. Add $1,000–$2,500 if you want all trim, doors, and skirting boards done as well.
Q: How long does it take to paint a house exterior? A: A single-storey home typically takes 3–5 days for a two-person crew. Double-storey homes take 5–8 days. Add 1–2 days if extensive scraping and prep work is needed on old timber.
Q: Is it worth paying for premium paint? A: For your own home, yes. Premium paint lasts 10–15 years versus 3–5 for builder grade, covers better (fewer coats needed), and is more washable. The extra $800–$1,500 on a full house repaint saves you from repainting again in five years.
Q: Do painters supply the paint or do I buy it? A: Most professional painters supply paint as part of their quote. They get trade pricing (20–40% below retail) and mark it up slightly. You can supply your own paint, but most tradies prefer to use products they trust — and they won't warranty the finish if you supply an unknown brand.
Q: How often should you repaint a house in Australia? A: Interior walls last 7–12 years between repaints with decent paint. Exteriors depend on exposure — south-facing walls and areas copping direct sun and rain may need attention every 5–7 years, while sheltered areas can last 10–15 years.
Q: What's the difference between a quote and an estimate? A: A quote is a fixed price the painter commits to (assuming no hidden surprises). An estimate is a rough guide that can change. Always get a written quote with inclusions and exclusions clearly listed before work starts.
Q: Can I paint over wallpaper? A: You can, but most painters recommend removing it first. Painting over wallpaper risks bubbling, peeling at seams, and a textured finish showing through. Removal costs $15–$30 per m² but gives a far better result.
House painting costs come down to three things: how much surface area needs covering, what condition it's in, and what quality of finish you want. Now you've got the numbers for 2026, you can compare quotes with confidence and spot anyone who's overcharging — or suspiciously undercharging.
If you want to submit a painting enquiry to get quotes from local painters, that's another option worth exploring. Or browse all available calculators if you've got other trades to price up alongside your painting project.
Want an instant price estimate? Use the free painting quote calculator — takes 30 seconds, no signup.