March 1, 2025
We break down real painting costs—by the hour or per square-meter. This guide gives you numbers you can actually use.
Professional painters in Australia typically charge between $70 to $100 per hour. This brings the cost per day to around $560 to $760. The rates in Sydney tend to be higher than the national average because of the higher cost of living.
Painters may also charge per square meter, ranging from $10 to $60. The average cost per room for interior house painting is estimated to be a minimum of $400 - $1200, including the cost of paint and materials.
This can vary based on room size, ceiling height, windows, wall size, the condition of the surfaces, and the number of coats required. Interior and exterior paint estimates also vary.
Painters rarely provide estimates over the phone or price per room without inspecting the property. Many factors influence the final quote, including the height of the home, the number of stories, the existing condition and type of substrate (e.g., timber, brick), the presence of lead paint or asbestos, the number and style of windows and doors, and the style of the home.
It is an industry practice to include costs and materials in the estimate. However, it's always best to clarify with a painter exactly what is included in their quote.
Per Square Meter Rates
In Sydney, the cost of interior painting typically falls between $12 and $60 per square meter. Some projects, particularly those requiring detailed prep or speciality finishes, can reach up to $160 per square meter.
Exterior painting tends to be more expensive, due to factors like surface type, access difficulty, and weather exposure. Estimates range from $20 to $70 per square meter.
The surface material plays a key role in pricing. Brickwork generally costs between $15 and $45 per square meter, while timber surfaces range from $12 to $60.
Per Hour Rates
Professional painters in Sydney usually charge between $50 and $80 per hour. Some Sydney-based painters command rates as high as $100 to $110 per hour, particularly for specialized or premium services.
Higher quotes may account for materials, preparation time, and clean-up, while lower ones might only cover labour.
Painters are likely to charge by the hour for smaller tasks, add-on services, or when the scope of work is difficult to define upfront. It could also be used as a basis for calculating the labour component of a larger quote.
Painters might use a per square meter rate as one factor in determining the overall quote, especially for larger, more uniform surfaces like walls.
Hourly rates and per-square-meter costs are general pricing elements. It's unlikely that a painter would exclusively charge based on these metrics for an entire painting project.
Many states in Australia, such as New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, require painting contractors to be qualified and licensed to advertise for painting projects over a minimum amount.
In NSW, a painter must be licensed for residential painting jobs when the cost of labour and materials exceeds $1000.
You will likely need a professional painter if you're repainting a house built before 1970. Lead paint is common in homes built before that period and you will need a professional for its removal or management. This can push the cost of painting up because of the necessary safety precautions and specialized procedures.
Licensing protects homeowners by ensuring that painters have passed minimum technical skill and knowledge assessments.
Labour is the biggest factor that affects painting costs. Experienced painters are likely to charge higher rates that reflect their skills and credentials. Here are other variables that you need to consider when setting the budget for your house painting:
The necessary preparation work. For example, timber weatherboards often require more preparation than brick or masonry walls.
Number of colours. Painters will need a different set of rollers, brushes, and prep work for every colour.
The presence of lead paint or asbestos. Some older homes may contain lead paint or asbestos. Professionals will put measures in place to ensure the safety of everyone and minimize impact on the environment. Qualified painters have been trained to identify and treat toxic substances like lead paint and asbestos. They are also bound by law to follow safety guidelines in the removal and disposal of dangerous materials.
The number, size, and style of windows, doors, and trims. Colonial-style windows, for instance, are more complex to paint than aluminium frame or timber awning windows.
The style of the home. For example, heritage houses often have many detailed features that need to be painted.
The number of coats of paint required. This can be influenced by the existing colour and the desired new colour.
The number of storeys. Working at a height will require scaffolding and guardrails, possibly even rope access.
The ceiling height. Higher ceilings require additional prep work. Additionally, raked ceilings can be more complex to work on compared to flat ceilings.
Many job aggregator sites give homeowners unrealistic estimations on how much it would cost to paint a house. Homeowners may end up paying twice the original quote.
This is when Snaptradie comes in. We are a collective of tradies and house painters in Sydney who provide accurate quotes at industry-standard rates. Get a free quote with no obligation to commit to a contract. Here's how it works:
1. Create an account.
2. Tell us about the job.
3. Send in videos, photos and/or a floor plan.
4. Get your quote in minutes.
Why Choose Snaptradie?
Snaptradie connects you with tradespeople who take pride in the quality of their work. We've vetted professionals who care about what they do and have been highly recommended by their clients.
