Short answer
A medium kitchen with the same layout typically costs $25,000 to $45,000 for custom cabinetry and stone or porcelain benchtops, $10,000 to $25,000 for flat-pack and laminate, and $45,000 to $80,000 for high-end appliances and finishes. Changing the layout adds about 15% for minor changes and about 40% for major ones, and a larger kitchen or an island adds more.
Our free kitchen renovation cost calculator gives an instant, indicative estimate for renovating a kitchen anywhere in Australia. Choose your renovation level, kitchen size and whether the layout changes, then pick your city for a realistic price range.
Estimate a full kitchen renovation. Indicative AUD ranges.
Included: cabinetry, benchtops, splashback, plumbing, electrical, labour and appliances to match the level you choose. Not included: flooring, structural engineering or permits. City, size and layout adjustments are approximate rules of thumb, and the major change option is a rough allowance rather than a priced wall removal.
Indicative Australian estimate only — final quotes vary with city, access, property condition, materials, structural/plumbing/electrical changes, waterproofing and permits. Ranges last reviewed October 2026.
How to use this kitchen renovation cost calculator
This kitchen renovation cost calculator works in three steps: choose a renovation level, pick your kitchen size, and set whether you are keeping the existing layout or changing it. Add your city and the tool returns a realistic cost range, scaling a typical mid-size kitchen for size, layout complexity and regional labour.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia?
A kitchen renovation in Australia generally ranges from about $10,000 for a budget flat-pack update to $130,000 or more for a luxury designer kitchen. A typical custom mid-range kitchen costs between $25,000 and $45,000. Cabinetry, benchtops, appliances and whether you move plumbing or walls are the biggest cost drivers.
Kitchen renovation cost by level
| Renovation level | Typical cost (medium kitchen) |
|---|---|
| Budget — flat-pack, laminate | $10,000–$25,000 |
| Standard — custom cabinetry, stone | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Premium — high-end appliances & joinery | $45,000–$80,000 |
| Luxury — designer, butler pantry | $75,000–$130,000+ |
What affects your kitchen renovation cost?
- Cabinetry — flat-pack is cheapest; custom joinery is one of the largest line items.
- Benchtops — laminate is budget-friendly, while natural stone and porcelain cost considerably more (engineered stone has been banned for new installation in Australia since 1 July 2024).
- Appliances — entry-level versus premium European brands can swing the budget by tens of thousands.
- Layout changes — moving the sink, gas or power, or removing a wall for an island, adds plumbing, electrical and structural cost.
- Kitchen size — more cabinetry and benchtop length scales the price; a galley costs less than a large kitchen with an island.
- Location — metro trades and cabinetmakers charge more than regional ones.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this kitchen renovation cost calculator?
It gives an indicative range based on published Australian kitchen cost guides. Get itemised quotes from cabinetmakers and builders before finalising a budget, and keep a buffer of about 10% to 20% for surprises.
Does moving the kitchen layout cost more?
Yes. Relocating the sink, gas or power adds plumbing and electrical work, and removing a wall for an island can require structural work — together adding 15% to 40% or more.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is usually the largest cost, often 30% to 40% or more of the budget, with appliances and benchtops next.
Can I renovate a kitchen for under $20,000?
Yes — with flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtops and keeping the existing layout and appliances, a budget kitchen can come in under $20,000 in many areas.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Many Australian cost guides put a full kitchen renovation at about four to eight weeks on site once the design is confirmed. Custom cabinetry can take several more weeks to manufacture before installation starts, and stone benchtops are templated and fabricated after the cabinets go in. Layout or structural changes and waiting on imported appliances extend the timeline further.
Kitchen renovation cost by city
Your location shifts the bottom line. The calculator adds about 10% for Sydney and Darwin and about 5% for Melbourne and Canberra, and takes off about 5% for Adelaide and Hobart, compared with the national average. Published guides disagree on the exact gaps, so treat these as approximate. A typical $25,000–$45,000 mid-range kitchen can therefore vary by several thousand dollars depending on where you build, which the calculator factors in. To trim the budget, keep the existing layout, choose flat-pack or semi-custom cabinetry, and pair laminate or a slimmer stone or porcelain benchtop with mid-range appliances.
How we calculate these estimates
Our ranges are set by comparing published 2025 and 2026 Australian kitchen cost guides and keeping the ranges that several of them agree on. Most of these guides are written by businesses that sell renovation work, so they tend to skew high, and every figure here is a guide only. Get itemised quotes before you set a budget. Last updated October 2026.
Related kitchen renovation guides
- Best Average Kitchen Renovation Cost Australia 2026
- Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Cost Estimator Guide 2026
Related reading: Kitchen Appliance Installation Cost Australia (2026) (what installing appliances adds to a kitchen).
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