Bathroom renovations in Australia sit in a wide band: a cosmetic refresh of a small bathroom can be done for around A$8,000–A$12,000, while a full strip-out with new plumbing, waterproofing and tiling in a standard 5–6 m² room typically lands between A$20,000 and A$35,000. The number that matters is not the average — it is which of those two projects you are actually buying.
Typical cost by renovation level
| Scope | Typical total (AUD) | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $8,000 – $12,000 | Paint, new tapware, mirror, accessories; existing layout kept |
| Replace fixtures, same layout | $12,000 – $20,000 | New vanity, toilet, shower screen; tiling partly retained |
| Full renovation, standard room | $20,000 – $35,000 | Strip-out, waterproofing, new tiles, new fixtures, same plumbing positions |
| Full renovation with layout change | $35,000 – $55,000+ | Moving plumbing, new waste points, structural work, custom joinery |
Cost per square metre
Per-square-metre pricing is useful when comparing quotes, but only if both quotes define the same scope. In 2026, Australian renovation work generally falls into these bands:
| Level | Cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2,000 – $2,800 | Builder-grade tiles, stock vanity, standard fittings |
| Mid-range | $2,800 – $4,200 | Porcelain tiles, semi-frameless screen, stone-top vanity |
| Premium | $4,200 – $6,500+ | Large-format or natural stone, custom joinery, heated elements |
A 5 m² bathroom at mid-range pricing is therefore roughly A$14,000–A$21,000 for the wet-area work, before joinery, fixtures and any structural changes. Small rooms do not scale down linearly: the fixed costs of a plumber, electrician and waterproofer attending site are the same whether the room is 4 m² or 8 m².
Where the money actually goes
- Labour (35–45%): demolition, carpentry, tiling, plumbing and electrical
- Tiles and waterproofing (15–20%): the waterproofing membrane is not optional and must be certified
- Fixtures and tapware (15–20%): vanity, toilet, shower, mixer, wastes
- Joinery and screens (10–15%): shower screens, mirror cabinets, custom vanities
- Contingency (10%): the allowance that saves a project when a wall is not square or a waste pipe is corroded
What changes the price most
Moving plumbing. Relocating a toilet or shower by more than a metre usually means cutting into the slab or subfloor and re-running waste lines. This single decision can add A$5,000–A$15,000.
Waterproofing standard. Australian bathrooms require a waterproof membrane to the relevant standard, applied by a competent tradesperson with a certificate. Quotes that omit this are not comparable — they are incomplete.
Tile choice. Large-format tiles need flatter substrates and more cutting; small mosaics take longer to lay. Both raise labour even though the material price may look modest.
Access. Upper-floor bathrooms, tight stairwells and limited parking all add labour hours that never appear in a per-square-metre rate.
Asbestos in older homes. Homes built before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos sheeting. Testing and licensed removal is a separate cost, typically A$500–A$2,000 depending on quantity.
How costs differ by state
Labour rates are highest in Sydney and Melbourne, lower in regional areas and parts of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. As a planning guide, expect Sydney and Melbourne quotes to sit 10–25% above the national midpoint, Brisbane and Perth close to it, and regional centres 10–15% below — with the caveat that travel costs can reverse that in remote areas.
What a good quote contains
- Scope written room by room, including demolition and disposal
- Waterproofing product and certification named
- Tiling allowance stated per square metre, with tile supply separated
- Provisional sums for plumbing and electrical, with hourly rates
- Payment schedule tied to stages, not to calendar dates
- Defects liability period and warranty terms
Common budget mistakes
The three that appear most often: budgeting to the quote rather than to the quote plus 10% contingency; choosing fixtures before confirming the plumbing can support them; and comparing a full-scope quote against a partial one that quietly excludes waterproofing, disposal or painting.
Cost by bathroom size
Size drives material quantities directly, but not labour proportionally. A 4 m² room still needs a plumber, an electrician and a waterproofer on site, so the fixed component dominates the small end of the market.
| Room size | Typical full renovation (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 m² | $15,000 – $24,000 | Compact layout; shower over bath common |
| 5–6 m² | $20,000 – $35,000 | Standard family bathroom |
| 7–9 m² | $28,000 – $48,000 | Separate shower and bath, double vanity possible |
| 10 m²+ / ensuite plus main | $45,000 – $80,000+ | Two wet areas, more trades, longer programme |
Programme and holding costs
Time is a cost even when nobody invoices it. A standard renovation takes three to five weeks; if the family has to use a second bathroom or move out, add temporary accommodation or extra cleaning to the budget. Trades booking lead times in peak periods can add two to four weeks before work even starts, so a renovation planned for a December finish should be quoted in September.
Phasing a renovation to spread the cost
If the full budget is not available in one go, phasing is possible — but only in a way that does not demolish the same room twice. A sensible sequence is: replace failing waterproofing and plumbing first, then tiling, then joinery and fixtures last. What does not work is doing cosmetics now and structure later, because the cosmetic finishes are destroyed when the wet area is reopened. Decide the final layout before phase one; everything after that is finish work.
Phasing also spreads trade attendance across two budgets, which can help with cash flow but usually costs 5–10% more overall because of remobilisation. Treat it as a financing decision, not a saving.
FAQ
Is A$20,000 enough for a bathroom renovation in Australia?
Yes for a standard 4–5 m² room with the existing layout, mid-range tiles and stock fixtures. It is not enough if plumbing moves, the room is larger than 6 m², or you choose natural stone and custom joinery.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Three to five weeks for a standard renovation, assuming trades are booked and materials are on site. Layout changes and custom joinery push it to six to eight weeks.
Do I need council approval?
Cosmetic work and like-for-like replacement generally do not. Structural changes, relocating plumbing in some jurisdictions, or work on heritage properties may require approval — confirm with your local council before demolition.
What is the cheapest way to renovate a bathroom?
Keep the layout, retain sound tiling where possible, choose stock vanity sizes, and buy fixtures in the mid-range rather than the premium tier. The savings come from avoiding plumbing changes and custom fabrication, not from cheap labour.
How these figures were compiled
Ranges are planning estimates for 2026, compiled from published Australian renovation cost guides, retail pricing at national hardware and bathroom suppliers, and typical trade rates across metropolitan and regional markets. They are not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your home, access, scope and the trades you engage. Figures exclude GST where noted separately by suppliers and exclude structural engineering.
Last updated: November 2026. Written for homeowners comparing quotes, not as a substitute for a site inspection.