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Interior painting cost: How much do painters charge in Australia?
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Price guide
$150 - $2,000
low
$150
median
$900
high
$2,000
Last Updated on
Key Facts
- Professional painters prevent common mistakes like patchy walls and uneven lines, giving your home that fresh, polished look that DIY often misses
- Being clear about what you need (room size, paint type, timeline) helps you find the right painter and get accurate quotes without surprises
- Different rooms require different approaches. For instance, bathrooms tend to be simpler projects, while living rooms need more preparation and time due to furniture management and larger wall surfaces.
Australia’s painting and decorating industry is booming, with more professionals offering quality services across the country. So, if you’re thinking of upgrading your space with a fresh coat, understanding current pricing is the first step for setting a realistic budget.
Today, most Aussie homeowners pay between $10 to $40 per square meter, which typically works out to $250 to $400 for an average-sized room. However, your actual cost for the painting services will depend on room size, wall condition, paint quality, and whether you need prep work like filling and sanding.
To help you get started, this guide walks you through all the costs, shows what affects the final price, and helps you get great results without overpaying.
Average cost of interior house painting
|
Room |
Estimated price |
|---|---|
Bathroom |
$150 - $350 |
Kitchen |
$300 - $1,000 |
Bedroom |
$300 - $1,000 |
Dining Room |
$300 - $1,000 |
Living Room |
$900 - $2,000 |
A man painting a wall with a roller. (Source: iStock)Bathroom
The bathroom costs less than the other rooms, averaging between $150 and $350, since it’s often the smallest space in the house. However, the rate is higher if you’re revamping a master bathroom. Its accessible walls, ceiling, and trim make it a straightforward interior paint job.
Kitchen
Like bathrooms, kitchens are also relatively easier to paint due to cabinetry. Interior kitchen painting costs around $300 to $1,000. If you include kitchen cabinets, you’ll likely spend another $120 or more.
Bedroom
The cost to paint a bedroom depends on its layout and size and whether it’s a quick paint job or an extensive project. The cost to paint a 12x12 room can start at $300 upwards.
Dining Room
Expect to pay around $300 to $1,000 to paint the dining area. Tables, chairs, and other furniture pieces can make moving or working around during a paint job longer and more demanding.
Living Room
Living rooms are often the biggest area in the house and accommodate multiple furniture items like tables, couches, and shelves. This increases the complexity and interior house paint costs, ranging from $900 to $2,000.
A man painting the ceiling with a roller. (Source: iStock)
What affects house interior painting costs?
On top of the prices listed above, these factors can dictate how much it costs to paint a room or other parts of the house.
Location
Where you live significantly influences how much it costs to paint a room professionally. See the average hourly rate per city below:
|
City |
Hourly rate |
|---|---|
Sydney |
$70 - $100 |
Perth |
$80 - $90 |
Melbourne |
$80 - $90 |
Brisbane |
$80 - $90 |
Adelaide |
$70 - $90 |
Labour
Painters can charge a minimum labour fee, but the rate could be higher based on where you live and the number of painters. Prepare to be flexible when estimating how much it costs to paint a house interior, as the w may price per square foot of coverage or floor space, per room, per hour, or per day.
If it’s a small paint job, you can ask how much a handyman charges to paint a room and the basis for their rate to set your budget.
House type
Determining how much to paint a house's interior depends on the living space type. Naturally, the price of painting a 2,000–square–foot house will be different from that of a one-bedroom apartment. Costs are also different for an interior painting job for a condominium unit and a mobile home.
Custom interior painting
You can opt for custom interior paint jobs, such as two-tone walls, patterns, sponging techniques or stencils for a more personalised touch in your room. Confirm with your painter if there will be any added cost to paint a ceiling.
Paint type
The kind of paint and interior colour you’ll use also determine the total cost of painting a room. For example, if you’re considering Woodland Grey or Monument, assess the cost per gallon of the paint finish, such as flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. You’ll also need at least a can of primer, so include that in the cost calculation.
Find expert house painters near you
Ready to find skilled painters who can deliver those crisp, clean lines and flawless finishes?
Post your painting project on Airtasker today! Simply describe your space, specify requirements, and set your budget. You’ll connect with qualified professionals in your area who can provide competitive quotes tailored to your exact needs.
Skip the DIY headaches and enjoy professional results that truly showcase your home at its best!
FAQs
Every three to five years is a good rule of thumb. Depending on your lifestyle, daily activities, and renovation plans, you may need to do it sooner than later. Keep an eye on your walls and other surfaces to gauge when it’s time for a paint upgrade. If the paint looks dull and faded, it’s probably time for a refresh.
You should expect the process to take three to five days, depending on the size of your home. However, know that the duration will vary considering the paint job coverage. For instance, it may only take one day to paint a 1-bedroom wall, but longer if the painter will also work on the ceilings, windows, doors, and mouldings.
A gallon of paint typically covers a 400-square-foot room, which is roughly the size of a standard living room. When estimating how much paint to buy, remember that you may need more than one coat of paint and a primer.
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