Bathroom renovation cost in Australia, 2026 budget by scope
Bathroom renos are one of the most-quoted home jobs in Australia. Expect $15,000 for a basic refresh, $25,000 to $35,000 for a typical full reno, $50,000+ for premium.
A bathroom reno is one of the biggest residential building jobs Australians budget for. The price range is enormous because what’s “a bathroom reno” can mean anything from a $5,000 refresh to a $70,000 full strip-out and rebuild.
This is a 2026 national cost guide for residential bathroom renos. State, location, and finishes move the number significantly.
Cost by scope
| Scope | Total cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (paint, regrout, new tap, accessories) | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Mid-refresh (cosmetic + new vanity + new toilet) | $10,000 to $18,000 |
| Standard full reno (typical 4-6 m² family bathroom) | $22,000 to $40,000 |
| Premium reno (stone, designer fixtures) | $45,000 to $70,000 |
| Full reconfigure (move walls, change footprint) | $50,000 to $100,000+ |
| Luxury bathroom (large, designer everything) | $80,000 to $200,000+ |
What’s in the standard full reno (~$30,000)
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Strip-out and rubbish removal | $1,000 to $1,800 |
| Plumbing rough-in (move/add fixtures) | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Electrical rough-in (lights, fans, points) | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Waterproofing (per AS 3740) | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Tiling (walls + floor, supplied tiles extra) | $4,500 to $8,000 |
| Tiles (60 x 60 ceramic, mid-range) | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Vanity unit and basin | $800 to $2,500 |
| Toilet suite | $400 to $1,200 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Bath (drop-in or freestanding) | $500 to $2,500 |
| Tapware (basin mixer, shower mixer, bath spout) | $600 to $2,000 |
| Lighting (downlights, wall lights) | $400 to $1,200 |
| Exhaust fan | $200 to $500 |
| Mirrors, towel rails, accessories | $400 to $1,000 |
| Plumbing fixtures (waste, P-trap, supply) | $400 to $800 |
| Plumbing final fit-off | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Electrical final fit-off | $600 to $1,200 |
| Painting (after tiling) | $300 to $700 |
| Project management / coordination | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Contingency (always include) | $2,500 to $4,000 |
What drives the price up
- Moving the toilet, structural and plumbing change; adds $3,000 to $8,000
- Adding a second basin, often $1,500 to $4,000
- Freestanding bath, +$1,500 to $4,000 over a drop-in
- Underfloor heating, $1,000 to $3,000
- Stone-look porcelain or natural stone tiles, doubles tile cost
- Frameless shower screen, +$800 to $2,000 over framed
- Heritage features needing replication, anything custom
- Second-storey bathroom, harder access, +10 to 20% labour
- Strata / unit bathroom, scaffold and lift access can add $1,500 to $5,000
- Asbestos in old walls or ceilings, removal $2,000 to $8,000
What drives the price down
- Like-for-like with no plumbing moves, fastest job, smallest plumbing bill
- DIY the demolition and painting, save $1,500 to $3,000 of labour
- Standard tile sizes (300 x 600 or 600 x 600), easiest to lay, cheapest tile cost
- Stock-standard fixtures from Bunnings or Reece, no custom or imported lead times
- Off-the-shelf vanity from IKEA or similar, $300 to $800 vs $1,500+ custom
State variation
| State | Typical mid-range reno (AUD) |
|---|---|
| NSW (Sydney) | $28,000 to $42,000 |
| NSW (regional) | $22,000 to $35,000 |
| VIC (Melbourne) | $26,000 to $40,000 |
| VIC (regional) | $22,000 to $35,000 |
| QLD (Brisbane) | $25,000 to $38,000 |
| WA (Perth) | $26,000 to $40,000 |
| SA (Adelaide) | $22,000 to $34,000 |
| TAS, NT, ACT | $25,000 to $42,000 |
How long it takes
- Strip-out: 1 day
- Plumbing rough-in: 1 to 2 days
- Electrical rough-in: 1 day
- Waterproofing: 1 day + 24 hour cure
- Tiling: 3 to 6 days
- Fixtures and fit-off: 2 to 3 days
- Painting and clean: 1 day
Total: 3 to 6 weeks of construction time. Add ordering and approval delays.
Hiring a builder
Bathroom renos sit above the licensing threshold in every state (NSW $5,000, QLD $3,300, etc.). You need a licensed builder or trade contractor with the right scope. Verify:
- Contractor licence number on the state regulator’s register
- Home Warranty / Home Building Compensation insurance (required for residential jobs above the threshold)
- Public liability insurance
- Written contract (Master Builders or HIA standard, not the builder’s own)
- Fixed quote or schedule of rates with contingency clauses
- Paint progress payments to milestones, not arbitrary
- Pay no more than 10% deposit
Get three quotes. Don’t take the cheapest if it’s missing inclusions like waterproofing or Certificate of Compliance. Don’t take the dearest if you can’t see why it’s more.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How much does a typical Aussie bathroom reno cost in 2026?
$25,000 to $35,000 for a full reno of a standard 4 to 6 square metre family bathroom. Basic refresh runs $8,000 to $15,000. Premium with high-end fixtures and stonework $45,000 to $70,000+.
How long does a bathroom reno take?
3 to 6 weeks of build time once approvals and orders are in. Add 4 to 12 weeks lead time for design, council approval (if needed), and ordering. Total from first thought to using the new bathroom, 3 to 6 months.
Do I need council approval for a bathroom reno?
Usually no if it's like-for-like with no structural change or moving plumbing connections. Yes if you're moving walls, changing the footprint, or relocating fixtures to a new location. Some councils require notification even without DA.
What's the cheapest way to refresh a bathroom?
$3,000 to $8,000 for a 'cosmetic refresh' covering: new tap mixer ($300 to $800), new showerhead and arm ($150 to $400), regrout ($600 to $1,200), repaint walls ($300 to $800), new accessories. Doesn't include new fixtures or tiling.