How much does tiling cost in Australia?
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Key takeaways
- Most tiling jobs in Australia land between A$300–A$10,000 — known locally as wall and floor tiling.
- Wet-area waterproofing must comply with AS 3740 and is a licensed activity in most Australian states, with compliance certificates issued for bathroom works. Tiling itself is licensed above value thresholds (QBCC in QLD, Fair Trading in NSW).
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Tiling prices by job size in Australia
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen splashback Tile a standard splashback (~3 m²), tiles excluded | A$300 | A$500 | A$900 |
| Bathroom floor Prep and tile an average bathroom floor | A$600 | A$1,000 | A$1,800 |
| Full bathroom retile Strip, waterproof (certified) and retile floor plus walls | A$3,500 | A$6,000 | A$10,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per m² (labour) | A$45 | A$65 | A$100 |
| per hour | A$60 | A$90 | A$120 |
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 tiling pro in Australia
- Check licensing: QLD requires QBCC licensing for tiling over $3,300; NSW requires a licence for residential work over $5,000; waterproofing is separately licensed in most states
- Confirm waterproofing to AS 3740 with a compliance certificate for wet areas
- Ask for public liability insurance and an ABN invoice
- Get the quote per m² with substrate prep, trims and silicone included
- Confirm falls to floor wastes in showers are in scope
- Check reviews on hipages with wet-room photos
Red flags
- No waterproofing certificate offered for a bathroom job
- Unlicensed for job values that require it
- Tiling over drummy old tiles without checking
- Cash-only, no ABN
- No mention of falls or floor wastes in a shower quote
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: hipages tiling cost guide; ServiceSeeking tiler rates; AS 3740 requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How long does tiling a bathroom take?
A full bathroom (floor plus walls) typically takes 3-5 days: prep and waterproofing first, then setting, then grouting after the adhesive cures. Add days if old tiles must come off or the substrate needs levelling. Rushing cure times is the classic cause of cracked grout later.
Should I buy the tiles or does the tiler supply them?
Either works, but you usually choose and buy tiles yourself and the tiler supplies adhesive, grout and trims. Order 10-15% extra for cuts and breakage (more for patterns and large formats) and keep leftovers for future repairs. Have tiles on site before the tiler starts.
Why are my new tiles cracking or coming loose?
Almost always substrate or installation, not the tile: movement in the floor, missing expansion joints, adhesive coverage too thin (spot-dabbing), or tiling over a drummy layer. Cracked single tiles from impact are replaceable if you kept spares — always keep a box.
What is included in a tiling quote?
Confirm five things: substrate prep (levelling, boards), waterproofing in wet areas, adhesive and grout type, cuts and trims (edge profiles), and silicone to finish. Tiles themselves are usually excluded, and removing old tiles is a separate line that can rival the laying cost.
How much does it cost to remove old tiles?
Removal is priced per square metre and depends on what's underneath: tiles on board come off fast, tiles on thick sand-cement beds are slow, noisy demolition work. Budget for substrate repairs after removal — you rarely know the wall or floor condition until tiles are off.
What does tiling cost per m² in Australia?
Labour typically runs $45-90 per m² for standard formats, higher for large-format porcelain, stone and laundries with complex falls. A full bathroom retile with certified waterproofing commonly lands $4,000-8,000 before tiles.
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