How much does bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
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Key takeaways
- Most bathroom renovation jobs in Australia land between A$10,000–A$80,000 — known locally as bathroom renovation.
- In Australia bathroom renovations are licensed building work in most states, waterproofing must meet AS 3740 with licensed waterproofers and certificates in NSW and Queensland, and all plumbing and electrical work legally requires licensed trades — DIY on either is prohibited. Home warranty insurance applies above state thresholds.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Bathroom Renovation prices by job size in Australia
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget renovation Existing layout kept, standard fixtures, licensed trades | A$10,000 | A$15,000 | A$20,000 |
| Standard full renovation Strip-out, new waterproofing, full retile, new fixtures | A$20,000 | A$27,000 | A$35,000 |
| Premium renovation Layout changes, floor-to-ceiling tile, premium fittings | A$35,000 | A$50,000 | A$80,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour (licensed trades) | A$80 | A$110 | A$150 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Australia typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a bathroom renovation pro in Australia
- Check the renovator's state licence — bathroom renovation is licensed residential building work above low thresholds (e.g., $5,000 NSW, $3,300 QLD)
- Confirm waterproofing is done by a licensed waterproofer to AS 3740 with a certificate issued — mandatory in NSW and QLD
- Confirm a licensed plumber for all plumbing and a licensed electrician for any wiring (both legally required in Australia, no DIY)
- Check home warranty insurance applies for jobs over your state threshold (e.g., $20,000 NSW)
- Use a written contract with a deposit at or under the state cap and staged payments
- Get the waterproofing certificate and compliance certificates at handover before final payment
Red flags
- No waterproofing certificate offered — the most litigated bathroom defect in Australia
- Unlicensed operator quoting above the state licensing threshold
- Plumbing or electrical proposed as DIY or by unlicensed workers (illegal)
- Deposit above the state legal cap
- Quote silent on old-bathroom strip-out and disposal
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to AUD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Report 2025 median; hipages bathroom renovation cost guides (hipages.com.au).
Frequently asked questions
Is tiling over existing tiles ever OK?
It can work on sound, well-bonded wall tiles and saves strip-out cost, but it fails on floors with movement, adds thickness that fouls doors and fittings, and hides the condition of the substrate and membrane. Most renovators strip back in wet areas — if a contractor proposes tile-over-tile in the shower zone specifically, treat it as a cost-cutting red flag.
What drives the cost of a bathroom renovation?
In rough order: whether you move plumbing (relocating the toilet or shower is the single biggest multiplier), the quality tier of tiles and fittings, bathroom size, waterproofing scope, and access (upper floors and apartment buildings cost more). Labour typically makes up 40-60% of the total, so a bigger bathroom does not scale cost linearly — fixture count matters more than floor area.
How much does moving the toilet or shower add?
Relocating a toilet means rerouting the soil pipe and adjusting floor levels; moving a shower means new drainage falls and full re-waterproofing. Either typically adds a meaningful share of the total budget and extra days of work. If your budget is tight, keeping the existing layout is the single most effective cost-saver.
How do I keep bathroom renovation costs down without regretting it?
Keep the existing layout, choose mid-range fittings from stocked lines rather than special orders, use large-format tiles only on feature areas, and paint rather than tile ceilings and upper walls. Do not economize on waterproofing, drainage falls, or the tiler's labour — those are the items whose failure costs multiples later.
What is the correct order of works in a bathroom renovation?
Strip-out, then first-fix plumbing and electrics (pipes and cables in walls), then substrate preparation and waterproofing, then tiling, then second-fix (toilet, vanity, taps, shower screen, lights), then silicone and snagging. If a quote or schedule doesn't follow this order, question it — out-of-sequence work is how leaks and redone tiles happen.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
The HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Report puts the median around AUD 26,000-27,000, with budget renovations from about AUD 10,000-15,000 and premium projects AUD 35,000-80,000. Waterproofing, licensed trades, and certification requirements make Australian bathrooms pricier than comparable UK/US work.
Why can't I do my own plumbing or electrical in an Australian bathroom reno?
State law prohibits unlicensed plumbing and electrical work — fines apply and your home insurance can refuse claims arising from it. DIY is fine for demolition, painting, and assembly-type tasks; everything touching water, waste, or wiring must be a licensed trade with compliance certificates.
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