← Cost Guides

When comparing painting quotes, the cost per square metre is the most reliable way to benchmark pricing. This guide breaks down exactly what Australian painters charge per m² for interior and exterior work in 2026, plus what drives the price up or down.

All prices are in AUD and include GST unless otherwise noted.

Painting Cost Per Square Metre — Quick Reference

What's Included in These Rates

A standard painting rate per square metre typically includes:

• Light preparation (gap filling, sanding, spot priming)
• Two coats of quality paint (one primer + one topcoat, or two topcoats on a well-prepared surface)
• Masking and protection of adjacent surfaces
• Clean-up

Not usually included: heavy prep (stripping, multiple coats of filler), scaffolding, lead paint removal, asbestos precautions, furniture moving, or wallpaper removal.

Interior Painting Costs Explained

Per room estimates

For easier budgeting, here's what standard rooms typically cost:

What pushes interior costs higher

• Colour changes (dark to light): requires 3–4 coats instead of 2
• High ceilings (above 3m): requires scaffolding or extension equipment
• Detailed cornices, dado rails, or picture rails: more cutting-in time
• Moisture-resistant paint for bathrooms and kitchens: premium product cost
• Multiple colours in one room: extra masking and clean-up time

Exterior Painting Costs Explained

Exterior painting costs more per square metre than interior due to the prep work involved:

Weatherboard homes

Weatherboard is the most labour-intensive surface to paint. The preparation includes:

• Pressure washing ($200–$500 for a whole house)
• Scraping and sanding loose/flaking paint
• Priming bare timber
• Caulking gaps between boards
• Replacing rotten sections (if any)

A single-storey weatherboard home (150–200m² of paintable surface) typically costs $4,000–$10,000. Two-storey homes with scaffolding requirements sit at $8,000–$14,000+.

Brick homes

Unpainted brick that's being painted for the first time needs a quality primer/sealer. Once primed, brick accepts paint well but uses more paint than smooth surfaces due to the textured surface. Previously painted brick is easier and cheaper.

Render

Rendered walls are among the easier surfaces to paint. Smooth render takes paint well with minimal prep. Textured render (roughcast) uses more paint but still requires less prep than weatherboard.

Cost by City

How to Calculate Your Project Cost

1. Measure the paintable surface area. For walls: (perimeter × ceiling height) minus windows and doors. For ceilings: length × width.
2. Multiply by the per-m² rate. Use the ranges above based on your surface type and condition.
3. Add extras. Scaffolding ($500–$2,000/week), lead paint removal ($2,000–$10,000), or heavy prep (add 30–50% to the base rate).

Example: 3-bedroom house interior

• Total paintable area: approximately 250m² (walls + ceilings)
• Rate: $22/m² (standard prep, two coats, mid-range paint)
• Estimated cost: 250 × $22 = $5,500

Tips for Getting the Best Value

• Get m² rates in writing so you can compare quotes on an equal basis
• Ask what's included in the rate — some painters exclude ceilings, trim, or prep
• Specify the paint brand — there's a $5–$10/m² difference between budget and premium paint
• Bundle the job — doing the whole house at once is cheaper per m² than individual rooms
• Book in autumn or winter — exterior painting rates may be lower outside peak season