Replacing a bathroom vanity in Australia usually costs A$600–A$2,500 for the unit and A$250–A$900 for installation, putting a typical total between A$900 and A$3,200. The gap between the low and high end is almost entirely about size, material and whether the plumbing lines up with the new cabinet.
Unit cost by type
| Vanity type | Unit only (AUD) | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Stock wall-hung, 600–900 mm, ceramic top | $350 – $800 | $650 – $1,300 |
| Stock floor-standing with stone top | $600 – $1,400 | $950 – $2,000 |
| Semi-custom (size/finish options) | $1,200 – $2,400 | $1,700 – $3,200 |
| Custom joinery, made to measure | $2,000 – $4,500+ | $2,600 – $5,500+ |
| Double basin, 1200–1500 mm | $900 – $2,800 | $1,400 – $3,800 |
Installation cost separately
If you supply the vanity, expect to pay a plumber A$150–$450 to disconnect and reconnect, and a carpenter or handyperson A$150–$400 to secure the unit and cut the top. Where the new vanity is a different width, add patching for tiles and plasterboard: A$250–$800 depending on the finish you are matching.
What is usually excluded
- Tapware and wastes (A$80–$400)
- Mirror or mirror cabinet (A$150–$700)
- Tile and waterproofing repair behind the old unit
- Removal and disposal of the old vanity (A$75–$250)
- Electrical work if the old vanity had a shaver point or lighting
Replace, reface or repaint?
A full replacement makes sense when the carcass is swollen from moisture, the layout is wrong, or you want a different size. Refacing — new doors and panels on the existing carcass — costs roughly A$700–A$1,800 and is worth considering when the cabinet is solid and the size is right. Repainting a timber or laminate vanity is the cheapest option at A$150–$500 in materials, but only holds up if the substrate is intact and the room is well ventilated.
Material choices and what they cost you later
Ceramic tops are the cheapest and easiest to clean, but chip at the edges. Cultured marble sits in the middle and resists staining well. Engineered stone costs more up front (A$400–$1,200 for a typical top) and needs a fabricator for cut-outs. Timber looks warm but requires re-sealing in a wet room; in Australia’s humidity it is the highest-maintenance choice.
Matching the vanity to the room
Standard widths are 600, 750, 900, 1200 and 1500 mm. Anything between those sizes is either a custom order or requires filling a gap. Check the following before buying:
- Distance from the door swing to the cabinet edge
- Height of the waste and water points — wall-hung units need them concealed
- Whether the floor is level; floor-standing units need packing, not wedging
- Clearance to the shower screen for drying space
Cost by state
Supply prices are broadly national because most vanities are imported or made in volume. Installation labour is where the states differ: Sydney and Melbourne plumbers typically charge at the top of the range, Brisbane and Perth mid-range, and regional areas either lower rates or higher call-out fees depending on distance.
How to avoid overpaying
Measure the existing cabinet and the plumbing positions before you shop. A vanity that is 50 mm wider than the space costs more in patching than a correctly sized semi-custom unit costs in purchase price. Ask the supplier whether the top is pre-attached; if it is not, budget for a separate stone or ceramic installation. And confirm the waste position — a unit designed for a centred waste will not fit a cabinet with an offset drain without modification.
Styles, storage and what they add
Vanity style affects both the unit price and the installation cost. A wall-hung unit looks larger in a small room but needs concealed plumbing and wall framing rated for the load, which adds A$200–$600. A floor-standing unit is easier to fit and cheaper to install, but the plinth collects moisture unless the room is well ventilated. Corner and asymmetric units cost more per litre of storage because they are produced in smaller volumes.
Storage drives price more than finish in most Australian bathrooms. A single drawer unit at 900 mm is the volume seller; adding a second drawer bank or a concealed shelf typically adds A$150–$400 to the unit price.
Lifespan and warranty
Expect 10–15 years from a stock vanity with a ceramic or engineered stone top, and 15–20 years from solid timber or high-quality joinery with proper sealing. Moisture is the deciding factor, not brand. Check the warranty terms: many cover the cabinet for five to ten years but exclude water damage caused by a leaking waste or an unsealed silicone line, which is the most common failure.
Buying checklist
- Measure the opening in three places: top, middle and bottom — walls are rarely plumb
- Confirm the waste position from the wall and from the side wall
- Check the door swing and whether drawers will collide with the shower screen
- Confirm whether the supplier delivers inside the house or kerbside only
- Ask whether the basin is included and whether the tap holes are predrilled
- Check the depth: a 500 mm deep unit can block a small room’s circulation
Sizing mistakes that cost money
The most expensive error is ordering a unit 50–100 mm wider than the available space, which forces tile and plaster repair. The second is choosing a wall-hung model in a room where the waste comes up through the floor. Both are avoidable with a tape measure and a photograph of the plumbing before ordering.
FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a vanity in Australia?
Most homeowners spend A$900–A$2,000 installed for a stock unit in a standard size. Custom joinery or a different width pushes the total above A$2,600.
Can I install a vanity myself?
Hanging or securing the cabinet is within reach for a confident DIYer. Connecting the waste and water lines is plumbing work; in Australia it must be done by a licensed plumber for insurance and compliance reasons.
Do I need to replace the tiles behind the vanity?
Only if the new unit is a different size or the old tiles are damaged. If the footprint matches, the existing wall finish can usually stay.
How long does replacement take?
Two to four hours for a same-size swap with working shut-off valves. Add a day if tiling or plaster repair is needed.
How these figures were compiled
Ranges are 2026 planning estimates compiled from Australian bathroom retailer pricing, published renovation cost guides and typical trade rates. They exclude GST where suppliers quote ex-GST and exclude structural work. They are not quotes; site conditions determine the final price.
Last updated: November 2026.