A bathroom reno involves at least four licensed trades. This guide breaks down what each one actually costs, where the budget blowouts hide, and what a realistic project budget looks like in 2026.
What does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
The honest answer: a standard 3m² bathroom renovation in Australia costs between $12,000 and $35,000 depending on finishes, location and trade rates. Budget projects cut corners on waterproofing, fixtures or finish quality. Premium projects use custom joinery, large-format tiles and high-end tapware. Here are the realistic ranges:
Renovation tier
Typical size
National cost range
What you get
Cosmetic refresh
2–4m²
$6,000–$12,000
New vanity, toilet, tapware, paint — no waterproofing or retiling
Standard renovation
3–5m²
$14,000–$22,000
Full retile, new fixtures, compliant waterproofing, new shower screen
Mid-range renovation
4–6m²
$22,000–$35,000
Semi-frameless shower, stone benchtop, freestanding bath, heated floors
Every licensed bathroom renovation requires at minimum: a plumber, an electrician, a waterproofer and a tiler. Most jobs also need a plasterer and painter. This is where the money actually goes:
Trade
Typical cost
What's included
Plumber
$3,000–$7,000
Rough-in, fixtures, hot water connection, waste
Electrician
$1,200–$2,800
Exhaust fan, lighting, power point, heated towel rail
Waterproofer
$800–$1,800
Floor and wall membrane to AS 3740 standard
Tiler
$2,500–$7,500
Floor and wall tiling, grout, silicone — price varies by tile size
Plasterer
$600–$1,400
Wet-area plasterboard, set and sand
Painter
$500–$1,200
Two coats bathroom-grade paint, ceiling
Cabinet maker / vanity
$800–$4,000
Supply and install vanity, mirror, storage
Materials cost breakdown
Labour is roughly 50–60% of a bathroom reno budget. The other 40–50% is materials. Here's where material costs land for a mid-range bathroom:
Item
Budget range
Mid-range
High-end
Floor tiles (per m²)
$30–$60
$80–$150
$200–$400+
Wall tiles (per m²)
$25–$55
$70–$130
$180–$350+
Vanity (wall-hung)
$600–$1,200
$1,500–$3,000
$4,000–$8,000+
Shower screen
$350–$700
$900–$1,800
$2,500–$5,000+
Toilet suite
$350–$600
$700–$1,200
$1,500–$3,500+
Tapware set
$200–$500
$600–$1,400
$2,000–$5,000+
Bath (freestanding)
N/A
$1,200–$2,500
$4,000–$12,000+
Labour rates by state (2026)
Tradie labour rates vary significantly by state. NSW and ACT are consistently the most expensive. Queensland and South Australia are generally 10–20% lower than Sydney.
State
Plumber (hr)
Electrician (hr)
Tiler (m²)
Waterproofer
NSW / Sydney
$130–$165
$130–$165
$80–$110
$900–$1,800
VIC / Melbourne
$125–$155
$125–$155
$75–$105
$800–$1,600
QLD / Brisbane
$115–$145
$115–$145
$70–$95
$750–$1,400
WA / Perth
$120–$150
$120–$155
$72–$98
$780–$1,500
SA / Adelaide
$110–$140
$110–$140
$65–$90
$700–$1,300
ACT / Canberra
$130–$160
$135–$165
$80–$110
$900–$1,700
Worked example: standard 3m² bathroom, Brisbane
Standard renovation: remove old bathroom, waterproof, tile, install new vanity, toilet, shower screen, fan, lighting and fixtures. Mid-range finishes. Here's what the budget looks like:
Demo and disposal$600
Plumber (rough-in + fixtures)$4,200
Electrician (fan, lights, towel rail)$1,600
Waterproofing$1,100
Tiling — 12m² floor + walls @ $85/m²$1,020
Tile supply (porcelain, mid-range)$1,400
Plasterer$700
Painter$650
Vanity, mirror, toilet, tapware, screen$4,800
Sundries (silicone, grout, fixings)$380
Subtotal (ex-GST)$16,450
GST (10%)$1,645
Total$18,095
Where bathroom renovations blow the budget
Subfloor rot or structural damage
Older bathrooms often have subfloor rot from years of shower leaks. Opening the floor can add $800–$3,000 to a job instantly. Always include a provisional sum.
Moving the waste point
Moving the floor waste or toilet more than 600mm requires breaking into the slab or subfloor. Budget an extra $1,500–$4,000 if relocating fixtures is on the cards.
Non-compliant existing work
If the existing bathroom wasn't waterproofed to AS 3740 or wired correctly, the licensed tradespeople will flag it and it needs to be fixed before proceeding. You can't certify on top of non-compliant work.
Tile wastage
Budget 10–15% waste on standard tiles and 15–20% on large-format or patterned tiles. Cuts around niches, drains and corners waste more than people expect.
Shower niche or bath spout recess
Each niche in a tiled shower adds $200–$500 to the tiler's price and requires additional waterproofing around the recess.
How to price a bathroom renovation (and protect your margin)
Bathroom renos are one of the most commonly underquoted jobs in Australia. Most trades forget to include waterproofing inspections, tile waste, provisional sums for structural surprises and multi-trade coordination time. These "soft" costs can add 15–25% to a job that was quoted lean.
What to include in every bathroom quote
Demolition and disposal
Strip-out of existing fittings, tiles, vanity and shower base. Include skip bin or disposal fees — often $600–$1,200.
Waterproofing to AS 3740
Mandatory wet-area membrane plus inspection certificate. Allow $800–$1,500 for a standard bathroom.
Tiling (floor and walls)
Calculate m² separately, add 10–15% tile waste. Labour: $55–$90/m² depending on format and complexity.
Plumbing rough-in and fit-off
Rough-in, waste relocation, hot/cold supply, shower valve, toilet and tapware. Typical range $2,500–$5,000.
Electrical
Exhaust fan, lighting and GPOs. Allow $600–$1,500 for a licensed electrician.
Ceiling, trims and feature wall. Allow $600–$1,200 for a licensed painter.
Margin, markup and common mistakes
A well-run renovation business should target 20–35% gross margin on bathroom jobs. Smaller jobs (under $15,000) should sit at the higher end to cover coordination overhead. Always apply your markup after your cost of goods and labour — not before. The most common margin killers:
•
Not including a provisional sum for structural surprises (rotted subfloor, non-compliant wiring)
•
Forgetting a site management or coordination fee on multi-trade jobs
•
Using last year's tile and tapware prices without checking current supplier costs
•
Underestimating demolition time on older homes with heritage tiling or solid plaster walls
•
Leaving out the waterproofing inspection certificate
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia in 2026?
A standard bathroom renovation in Australia costs between $14,000 and $22,000 for a 3–4m² bathroom with mid-range finishes. A cosmetic refresh starts at $6,000–$12,000. A full luxury renovation can reach $60,000+. Location, access, tile selection and fixture quality are the biggest variables.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard bathroom renovation takes 10–15 working days once trades are booked and materials are on-site. Allow extra time for waterproofing curing (48–72 hours minimum before tiling), and another 24–48 hours grout cure before shower use. Factor in lead times: 3–8 weeks for materials, 2–6 weeks to book trades.
Do I need council approval for a bathroom renovation?
Most like-for-like bathroom renovations in Australia are exempt from council approval under the Building Code of Australia. You do need a licensed plumber and electrician, and waterproofing must comply with AS 3740. If you're moving walls, adding a wet area or changing the footprint of the bathroom, you may need a building permit — check with your local council.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
Labour is typically 50–60% of the total cost. The plumber and tiler are usually the biggest individual trade costs. On the materials side, large-format tiles, freestanding baths and custom vanities drive costs up the most.
Can I reduce bathroom renovation costs by doing some work myself?
Demolition and painting are the only parts a homeowner can safely DIY without a licence. All plumbing, electrical and waterproofing work must be done by licensed tradespeople in Australia. Trying to DIY licensed work voids your home insurance and creates liability problems when you sell.