painting costs: what aussie painters need to charge
Painting looks simple from the outside. Slap some Dulux on and you are done. But experienced painters know the real work is in the prep — filling, sanding, priming, masking. A job that looks like two days of rolling can easily become a week of preparation if the existing surfaces are rough.
This page breaks down what painting work actually costs in Australia in 2026 and where the uncertainty sits.
cost ranges by job type
Typical rates for common painting jobs. Prices assume a standard 3-bedroom home. High ceilings, multi-storey exteriors, and heritage detailing push costs up.
| Job Type | Typical Cost | Duration | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full interior repaint (3-bed) | $4,000 - $8,000 | 4-7 days | Low - Medium |
| Full exterior repaint (3-bed) | $5,000 - $12,000 | 5-10 days | Medium |
| Single room repaint | $500 - $1,200 | 1-2 days | Low |
| Interior — new build (3-bed) | $6,000 - $10,000 | 5-8 days | Low |
| Deck / pergola staining | $800 - $2,500 | 1-3 days | Low |
| Fence painting / staining | $500 - $2,000 | 1-3 days | Low |
worked example: full exterior repaint of a weatherboard home
Standard 3-bedroom weatherboard home in suburban Australia. Existing paint is peeling in sections. Some timber rot around window frames. Customer wants a full prep, prime, and two-coat finish in Dulux Weathershield.
| Item | Cost Range | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaffold / elevated work platform | $800 - $2,000 | Low | Get a fixed quote. Two-storey = more scaffold. |
| Pressure washing | $300 - $600 | Low | Standard prep. Allow drying time. |
| Scraping, sanding & prep | $1,000 - $2,500 | Medium - High | The big variable. Peeling paint = much more prep time. |
| Timber repairs & filling | $300 - $1,500 | High | Rotten boards, window sills, fascia. Cannot assess until you start. |
| Lead paint testing / management | $0 - $800 | High | Pre-1970 homes likely contain lead paint. Testing mandatory. |
| Primer | $400 - $700 | Low | Zinsser or Dulux prep coat. Bare timber needs more. |
| Paint supply (2 coats) | $600 - $1,000 | Low | Dulux Weathershield or similar. 15-20 litres typical for a 3-bed. |
| Labour — application (2 coats) | $2,000 - $3,500 | Low | Brush and roll. Spray = faster but more masking. |
| Trim, windows & detail work | $500 - $1,200 | Low - Medium | Cutting in around windows and trim. Fiddly but predictable. |
Total range for a full exterior repaint: $5,900 - $13,800. The prep work and timber repairs are the biggest swing factors. A house in good condition with minimal peeling could come in at $6,000. A house with extensive rot and lead paint issues could easily hit $14,000.
where painting jobs go wrong
- Underestimating prep. The number one mistake. You look at a house from the road and think "a week." Then you get up on the scaffold and find peeling paint everywhere, timber rot in the eaves, and three layers of old paint that need scraping back. Always inspect from scaffold height before quoting, or mark prep as High uncertainty.
- Lead paint. Any home built before 1970 in Australia is likely to have lead paint. You are legally required to manage it safely. This means testing, proper containment, and potentially licensed removal. Do not ignore this — the fines are serious.
- Weather. Exterior painting needs dry weather above 10 degrees with low humidity. In southern states, your painting season is shorter. A week of rain mid-job means a week of lost time. Factor weather into your duration estimate.
- Colour changes. Going from a dark colour to a light one (or vice versa) may need three coats instead of two. Confirm the colour scheme early and adjust your paint quantity and labour accordingly.
quoting painting jobs smarter
The paint supply and application labour are Low uncertainty — you know those numbers. The prep, timber repairs, and lead paint management are where the risk hides. Rate each item honestly, simulate the range, and quote at P80. Your customer gets a realistic price, and you protect your margin on the items that actually blow up.