Bathroom renovation costs in Australia (2026)
Use these ranges as a benchmark before you brief tradies or pick finishes. Figures include GST and are typical metro pricing; regional areas can run 5–12% lower.
Snapshot
| Level | Typical spend (incl. GST) | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $8,000 – $14,000 | Keep layout, new vanity/toilet, acrylic shower, basic tile swap, paint, minor plumbing. |
| Mid-range | $18,000 – $28,000 | Re-tiling floor + walls to 1.2m, frameless screen, quality tapware, custom vanity/stone top, new lighting, mid-tier tiles. |
| Premium | $30,000 – $50,000+ | Layout change, full-height tiling, in-wall cistern, underfloor heating, stone or feature tiles, custom joinery, niche lighting. |
Key cost drivers
- Waterproofing & tiling: Usually 25–35% of the budget. Large format tiles lower labour hours; mosaics and herringbone increase them.
- Plumbing moves: Keeping fixtures in place can save $1,500–$3,000.
- Substrate condition: Asbestos, slab levelling, or rotten flooring adds contingency.
- Fixtures: Tapware and shower sets swing widely: $400 set vs $2,000+ designer.
Typical line items
| Line item | Budget | Mid | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition & strip-out | $800 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| Waterproofing (per m²) | $35 – $50 | $40 – $60 | $55 – $80 |
| Tiling labour (per m²) | $60 – $90 | $85 – $120 | $110 – $150 |
| Tiles (per m²) | $25 – $45 | $45 – $80 | $90 – $180 |
| Vanity + basin | $600 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,400 | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Tapware set | $400 – $800 | $700 – $1,400 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Toilet | $350 – $700 | $600 – $1,000 | $1,100 – $2,000 (in-wall) |
| Shower screen | $450 – $750 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Electrical/lighting | $600 – $1,000 | $900 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
Labour rate variance by state
Based on current RenoCalc multipliers:
- NSW / ACT / VIC: baseline (1.00x)
- QLD / SA: ~0.94–0.97x
- WA: ~0.90–0.93x
- TAS / NT: can vary widely; remote areas add travel and scarcity premiums.
Save time: In RenoCalc, add a “Bathroom†room, set your state, toggle strip-out, and test layouts. The confidence range will show typical low/high outcomes before contingency.
Contingency
Add 10–15% for unknowns: hidden water damage, pipe re-routing, substrate repair, or tile availability changes.
How to brief tradies
- Provide dimensions, tile sizes, and layout (brick bond, stack, herringbone).
- Nominate fixtures and PC sums (allowances) so quotes are comparable.
- Ask for waterproofing warranty terms and licence details.
- Request a written scope and exclusions (e.g., asbestos removal, structural works).