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Painting is one of the most common home improvement jobs in Australia, and the cost varies dramatically depending on whether you're freshening up a single room or repainting an entire weatherboard house. This guide breaks down real 2026 pricing so you can budget accurately and compare quotes fairly.

Painter Hourly Rates in Australia

While most painters quote per room or per square metre rather than hourly, day rates and hourly rates are sometimes used for small touch-ups, repairs, or jobs that are hard to scope upfront.

These rates generally include labour only. Paint and materials are usually quoted separately or included as part of a fixed-price job quote. An apprentice painter typically charges $25–$40/hr.

Painting Prices by Room & Area

Most residential painters quote on a per-room or per-area basis. The prices below assume standard ceiling heights (2.4–2.7m), two coats of quality paint, and a reasonable amount of prep work.

Interior painting explained

A "standard room" for quoting purposes is typically 3m x 4m with a single door and one window. Larger rooms, rooms with multiple windows, or rooms with detailed cornices and trim cost more. The price usually includes walls and ceiling but not skirting boards, door frames, or window frames — ask whether trim is included.

A full interior repaint of a 3-bedroom home covers all bedrooms, living areas, hallways, and ceilings. Kitchens and bathrooms may be quoted separately because they require moisture-resistant paint and more intensive prep (grease, steam damage).

Exterior painting explained

Exterior painting costs more than interior because of the prep work involved: pressure washing, scraping, sanding, priming bare timber, caulking gaps, and sometimes scaffold hire. A single-storey weatherboard home is at the lower end; a two-storey home with difficult access or deteriorated surfaces will sit at the higher end or above.

Brick homes are often cheaper to paint than weatherboard because the surface requires less prep. However, if the brickwork has never been painted before, a primer/sealer is essential and adds to the cost.

Kitchen cabinets

Painting kitchen cabinets is a popular alternative to a full kitchen renovation. It requires specialist preparation — degreasing, sanding, priming with a bonding primer, and spraying with a durable enamel finish (usually 2-pack polyurethane). The wide price range reflects kitchen size (number of doors and drawers) and whether the painter sprays on-site or removes doors and sprays in a booth.

Painter Rates by City

Painting rates vary by city, primarily driven by labour costs and local demand. Here's a comparison across Australia's major capitals.

Regional areas may have lower hourly rates but higher travel charges. Coastal areas (salt air exposure) and tropical regions (humidity, mould) often require premium exterior paints, which adds to the materials cost.

What Affects the Price?

The biggest variable in a painting job isn't the painting itself — it's the preparation. Here's what moves the needle:

• Prep work (40–60% of the job) — This is the single biggest cost driver. Sanding, filling holes, scraping flaking paint, caulking gaps, and priming bare surfaces takes far more time than the actual painting. A well-maintained surface requires minimal prep; a neglected exterior with peeling paint and rotten timber can double the job cost.
• Number of coats — A colour change (e.g., dark to light) may require three or four coats instead of two. Going from unpainted plaster or timber to a finished colour also adds a primer coat. Each additional coat adds roughly 20–30% to the labour time.
• Paint quality — A 15-litre bucket of budget paint costs $80–$120, while a premium brand like Dulux Wash & Wear or Haymes Ultra Premium runs $180–$280. For exterior work, premium paints with UV protection and mould resistance last significantly longer and are usually worth the extra cost.
• Height and scaffolding — Two-storey homes, stairwells, and cathedral ceilings require scaffolding or elevated work platforms. Scaffold hire typically costs $500–$2,000 per week depending on the extent of coverage needed.
• Surface type — Textured surfaces (brick, render, roughcast) use more paint than smooth surfaces. Timber requires more prep than plasterboard. Older homes with lead paint require specialist removal procedures, which adds significant cost.
• Access and furniture — Interior jobs in furnished homes take longer because the painter needs to move and cover furniture. Empty homes (new builds or pre-move-in) are quicker and cheaper.

Tips for Getting Painting Quotes

Always ask about prep

The most common source of disputes in painting jobs is unclear expectations about preparation. When comparing quotes, ask each painter specifically: "What prep work is included?" A cheap quote that skips proper prep will show in the finish within months.

Check if paint is included

Some painters quote labour-only and expect you to supply the paint. Others include paint in the price. Always clarify this upfront, and if paint is included, ask which brand and product line they'll use. There's a big difference between a $90 builder's paint and a $250 premium product.

More tips to save money

• Bundle rooms together. Painting a single room might cost $500, but adding three more rooms might only add $1,200–$1,500 total because the setup and cleanup time is shared.
• Do your own prep. If you're handy, you can reduce costs by moving furniture, removing switch plate covers, and taping off areas yourself. Discuss this with the painter first — some prefer to do their own prep.
• Stick to similar colours. Changing from a dark colour to a light one requires more coats and more time. Staying within the same colour family saves money.
• Time it right. Exterior painting is seasonal. Most painters are busiest in spring and summer. Booking in autumn (outside of rainy periods) may get you a better rate.
• Check the warranty. A good painter will offer a 2–5 year workmanship warranty. This is separate from the paint manufacturer's warranty. Get it in writing.

What to Look for in a Painting Quote

A professional painting quote should include:

1. Rooms/areas covered — exactly which walls, ceilings, and trim are included
2. Prep work details — what sanding, filling, and priming is included
3. Number of coats — primer + topcoats
4. Paint brand and product — not just "premium paint" but the specific product
5. Whether paint is included or labour-only
6. Scaffolding costs if applicable
7. Timeline — start date and estimated completion
8. Warranty — what's covered and for how long

If a quote just says "repaint house — $X,000" without this detail, ask for a more detailed breakdown. It protects both you and the painter.