What is a reasonable price for interior house painting in Australia? A complete cost guide
Planning to refresh your Australian home with a new interior paint job and wondering what a fair price should be? A 'reasonable' cost isn't a single flat rate, as it reflects the specific details and scope of your project. The final quote for professional interior painting in Australia is typically determined by the total area of walls and ceilings to be painted, the complexity of your rooms (such as high ceilings, detailed cornices, or extensive windows), the quality and type of paint selected, the extent of necessary surface preparation (like patching or sanding), and prevailing regional labour rates. This complete cost guide will help you understand these variables, empowering you to budget effectively and make informed decisions for your project.
Setting a reasonable budget for interior house painting in Australia starts with understanding how painters scope a job. Quotes typically combine labour, materials, preparation, and complexity. Prices vary between regions and even suburbs, so ranges below are indicative. Use them to sense-check quotes from local services and to plan for contingencies such as extra coats or repairs.
Key factors determining costs in Australia
The main drivers are size and complexity. Larger wall areas, higher ceilings, and multiple rooms mean more labour and paint. Condition matters: peeling, cracks, mould, smoke staining, or water damage add prep time. Design choices influence time as well—strong colour changes, feature walls, gloss finishes, and detailed trims are slower to complete. Access and scheduling count too: furnished rooms, tricky stairwells, or weekend work can raise costs. In broad terms, many interior projects fall between $20–$45 per m² for walls (two coats), with ceilings often $10–$30 per m², and doors/trim commonly priced per item or linear metre. These are working estimates and can vary across Australia.
Choosing paint: quality and budget
Paint selection affects both upfront cost and long-term value. Premium low‑VOC, washable interior acrylics (e.g., for living areas or kids’ rooms) cost more per litre but usually cover better and need fewer repaints. Expect interior acrylic to range roughly from $25–$80 per litre, with primers and specialty coatings adding to materials. Coverage is commonly about 10–14 m² per litre per coat, depending on surface and colour. Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries often need moisture/mould‑resistant products. If you plan to sell soon, a mid‑range durable paint in neutral colours can be a practical balance; if you’ll stay longer, higher‑grade paints may reduce maintenance over time.
Surface prep and complex areas cost
Preparation can account for 20–40% of labour on lived‑in homes. Typical tasks include cleaning, sanding, gap filling, patching, spot priming, and masking. Older properties may need extra work for failing coatings, plaster repairs, or (if present) safe handling of lead‑based paint by qualified professionals. Complex spaces—stairwells, raked ceilings, ornate cornices, windows with multiple panes, and detailed skirting/architraves—add time. As a guide, intricate trims and doors can add hundreds to a whole‑home quote, while significant wall repairs or stain blocking can push a project toward the higher end of the range. Discuss prep assumptions clearly so each quote includes the same scope.
Estimate your total project budget
A practical method is to break the job into parts: walls (per m²), ceilings (per m²), and doors/trim (per item or linear metre). Calculate wall area (perimeter × height) minus large openings, choose a realistic rate based on condition and paint grade, and add ceilings and trims. Include materials, GST, and a contingency of 10–15% for unknowns. Example: a typical 3‑bedroom house might total 250–350 m² of paintable wall area. At $22–$38 per m² for walls, plus ceilings and trims, an interior repaint commonly lands between about $4,000 and $9,000 for standard conditions, with premium products, complex access, or heavy prep pushing higher. These figures are estimates to help you benchmark quotes in your area.
Real‑world costs vary by provider and city. The examples below show common services from real Australian painting businesses, with broad estimate ranges for typical conditions.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom repaint (walls/ceiling/trim) | Jim’s Painting (Australia‑wide franchise network) | $450–$900 |
| 2‑bedroom unit interior repaint | Women at Work Painters (Melbourne) | $2,500–$5,000 |
| 3‑bedroom house interior repaint | Signature Painters (Brisbane) | $4,000–$9,000 |
| Ceilings only (3 average rooms) | Summit Coatings (Sydney) | $600–$1,200 |
| Full interior with minor patching (4‑bed home) | AJ Cochrane & Sons (Perth) | $6,500–$12,000 |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
Conclusion: While every home is different, a reasonable benchmark for interior house painting in Australia starts with per‑m² rates for walls and ceilings, adjusted for prep, access, and paint grade. Compare like‑for‑like scopes from local services, confirm the number of coats, products, and inclusions, and allow a modest contingency. This approach will help you reach a fair price that suits your property and expectations.
