Short answer
For a typical 150 m² house in good condition, repainting the interior walls costs about $3,000 to $5,250, walls, ceilings and trim $4,500 to $7,500, the exterior $5,250 to $9,750, and the whole house $9,000 to $15,750. Poor condition, heavy prep, high ceilings and difficult access can add 20% to 60%.
Our free painting cost calculator gives an instant, indicative estimate for repainting your home anywhere in Australia. Choose the type of job, enter your floor area and surface condition, then pick your city for a realistic price range.
Estimate interior or exterior house painting. Indicative AUD ranges.
Included: paint, materials, basic surface prep, two coats and labour for the selected job. Scaffolding for two-storey exteriors is not a separate line; the heavy prep and difficult access option allows for it. Not included: major repairs, render or cladding work, lead/asbestos handling, or feature finishes. City adjustments are approximate rules of thumb. Timber and weatherboard exteriors often cost more than brick, so choose a heavier condition option if the house has extensive timber. Rates are per m² of floor area, not wall surface. Homes built before 1970 may contain lead paint and homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos, so have suspect surfaces tested before sanding or scraping.
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 painting cost calculator
This painting cost calculator estimates your repaint in three steps: choose the type of job, enter your home floor area, and set the surface condition and access. Pick your city and the tool returns an indicative cost range based on published Australian painting cost guides.
How much does house painting cost in Australia?
Professional house painting in Australia typically costs from about $20 per square metre of floor area for interior walls only, up to $105 per square metre for a full interior-and-exterior repaint. Prep work, ceiling height, the number of coats and the condition of existing surfaces all move the price.
Painting cost by job type
| Job | Cost per m² of floor area |
|---|---|
| Interior — walls only | $20–$35 |
| Interior — walls, ceilings & trim | $30–$50 |
| Exterior — full house | $35–$65 |
| Whole house — interior & exterior | $60–$105 |
What affects your painting cost?
- Surface condition — peeling paint, cracks and patching add significant prep time, which is mostly labour.
- Number of coats — dark-to-light colour changes or bare surfaces often need an extra coat.
- Ceiling height and access — high ceilings, stairwells and multi-storey exteriors need scaffolding and slow the job.
- Trim and detail — doors, skirting, architraves and windows are fiddly and charged accordingly.
- Paint quality — premium washable and exterior-grade paints cost more but last longer.
- Location — painter rates vary by city and are generally highest in Sydney.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this painting cost calculator?
It gives an indicative range based on floor area and published Australian painting cost guides. Painters quote by surface area, room or day rate, so get an on-site quote for an exact figure.
Is it cheaper to paint a house yourself?
DIY saves on labour, which is most of the cost, but professional prep and finish last longer and are far safer for high or exterior work.
How much does it cost to paint a 3-bedroom house interior?
For a typical 150 m² home, interior walls, ceilings and trim run roughly $4,500–$7,500 in good condition, more if heavy prep is needed.
How often should I repaint?
Interiors are often repainted every 5 to 10 years and exteriors every 5 to 10 years, depending on paint quality, sun exposure and surface condition. Timber and coastal homes can need repainting sooner.
How many coats of paint are included?
Professional quotes usually allow two coats over a prepared surface, plus a primer or sealer on bare or patched areas. Dark-to-light colour changes, strong feature walls and new plasterboard often need an extra coat, which adds to both paint and labour.
Painting cost by home size
As a rough guide using floor area, a small unit around 70 m² costs roughly $1,400–$2,450 for interior walls only, a typical 150 m² three-bedroom home runs about $4,500–$7,500 for walls, ceilings and trim, and a large 250 m² home can reach $15,000–$26,000 for a full interior-and-exterior repaint in good condition. Heavy preparation, high ceilings and difficult access push these figures higher, which is why the calculator includes a condition and access adjustment. Getting two or three written quotes is the best way to confirm your exact painting cost.
How we calculate these estimates
Our ranges are based on published Australian painting cost guides, which we compare against each other. Most of these guides come from businesses that sell or arrange painting work and tend to run high, so we use ranges that several guides broadly agree on and apply them to floor area. Treat the result as a starting point and get written quotes. Last updated October 2026.
Related painting guides
Related reading: Painter Hourly Rates in Australia (2026) (what painters charge per hour).
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