How Much to Paint a House – An Australia Price Guide

by Andrew Ahearne - January 31, 2025

Updated for 2025: This Australia House Painting Cost Guide has been refreshed with the latest price estimates, expert insights, and budget-friendly options. Whether you’re hiring professional painters or considering DIY painting, our updated guide covers everything you need to know about house painting costs in Australia.

A fresh coat of paint can instantly upgrade your home’s interior and exterior, boosting its value, appeal, and durability. But how much does it cost to paint a house in Australia? Whether you’re selling your home, modernizing your space, or protecting your property from the elements, understanding house painting costs will help you budget efficiently.

This guide breaks down the latest price estimates for professional painters, DIY painting costs, and key factors that affect the overall cost of painting a house in Australia.

The Cost of Exterior House Painting

Prices for house exterior painting work can vary significantly, ranging from $3,000 to $30,000. A professional painting service will generally charge by square metre, though it’s worth checking for an hourly rate if applicable.

Here are some ballpark prices you can expect from a professional painter:

Brick Homes – $15 to $45 per square metre

Timer Homes – $12 to $60 per square metre

On average, a single-story house will cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, with brick veneer costing on the lower side and weatherboard homes on the higher end. In addition to the painting itself, the price includes prep work, application, cleanup and the cost of materials.

For a two-story weatherboard house, prices range from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on its size and condition.

Factors that Affect Your Exterior Painting Cost

On top of your home’s size there are several factors that can impact price, such as:

Property condition – If your home is exposed to harsh weather conditions, the paint is likely to fade faster. This may require more coats of paint, resulting in more expense.

How complex the house is – Exterior features such as gables and decorative/functional elements like verandahs and existing siding make the process more complicated.

Your home’s material – Differing textures and materials will affect the cost, i.e. brick vs wood vs concrete block.

Surface area – The larger the area, the more time and people it will take to paint.

Location – Professional painting services in Sydney, Melbourne or other urban areas will typically cost more.

Looking to spruce up your brick exterior? Check out our lime washing, whitewashing, and german smear guides.

Is it Worth the Investment to Paint Your Exterior?

While the figures above might seem a little extreme, it may be just what you need to get your home in tip-top shape.

Why?

Compared to building a new addition or remodelling a kitchen, home painting is one of the cheapest ways to boost property value. Furthermore, a newly painted home isn’t just pretty to look at; it also helps insulate and protect your home from the outside elements.

Remember to paint your exterior every 5-7 years to ensure it remains well protected and in top condition. If you lack the experience to tackle the task of painting your exterior, the experts at Newline Painting can take care of it for you.

The Costs for Interior House Painting

House painting costs associated with painting an interior space are slightly less than those of the exterior. Homeowners can expect to pay $20-$30 per square metre, based on one undercoat and two finishing coats.

Cheaper paint projects will usually include one colour with basic prep and trim work, whereas higher end painting jobs will involve gloss architraves and a varied colour scheme.

Painting your kitchen area and two bedrooms will cost between $800 to $1,500, whereas a three-bedroom house will range between $4,500 to $6,000. A five-bedroom house will cost $9,000 for all rooms, and so on.

A paint job price, however, isn’t exclusive to painting your walls, as it will also include:

Prepping the walls (washing, sanding, etc.)
Priming the surface of the wall
Painting your windows and doors
Decorating borders and panels
Touch Ups around the room, such as skirting boards and door jambs

Factors that Affect the Cost of Interior Painting

Like exterior painting, a lot of factors go into determining the rate you’ll be quoted:

Ceiling height – High ceilings are harder to reach and take longer to paint

Condition of existing paint – If there is peeling or cracks in your walls, they will need to be repaired before painting can begin.

State of woodwork – If you have wooden panelling, moulding or doors that need refitting, this will affect the cost.

The number of coats – Extra paint coats will incur more fees.

Quality of paint – Higher quality paints cost more on the painter’s end

Decorative features – If you want decorative glazes or special paint effects, expect to pay a higher price.

Again, you should always check for an hourly rate since the time taken will impact the final price.

Here are 20 Things You Should Know About Interior Painting

Roof Painting Prices

You might be surprised to learn that roof painting won’t cost you an arm and a leg, as roof painters are usually quicker than you realise. Generally, homeowners will pay $2,800 to $4,500 for a roof paint, and in some cases, even less, depending on its condition and how efficient your painter is on the job.

What Do Professional Painters Charge Per Hour?

Painters’ rates vary from company to company, and it is often calculated by the hour. It’s advantageous to know Australian hourly costs beforehand, so you can plan your project accordingly with your budget.

Australian painters charge, on average, $35 to $45 an hour for a regular home, not counting materials and the cost of paint. In most scenarios, an hourly rate is used for exterior painting jobs since the time spent doing the job is more substantial.

Hourly rates may vary depending on the painter’s expertise, level of work, equipment, type of exterior, and the job’s complexity. If your painting project is relatively straightforward, it may be worthwhile to pay by the hour as it won’t take long to finish.

DIY Painting vs Hiring a Professional

If you’ve painted your home in the past, and you have a steady hand, it *may* be worthwhile to paint it yourself. Taking the DIY route can save on a substantial amount of money, as you’ll only be paying for materials.

For those not so confident with a paint brush, however, it may be a better idea to hire a professional. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to spiral out of control and end up spending more money than if they had just hiring someone. Unsatisfactory results plague DIY projects, which usually require a professional to fix the damage.

A professional will always be able to do the job right, and in most cases, they’ll complete it much faster than if you did the job yourself. Experience in painting is key in tackling any job properly, so consider hiring a pro for your painting project.

How to Save Money on House Painting

Painting can be a significant investment, but there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality:

Compare Multiple Quotes – Always get at least 3 quotes from professional painters before making a decision.

Opt for Standard Colours – Custom or speciality colours cost more than common paint shades.

Use Quality but Affordable Paints – Brands like Dulux and Taubmans offer durable paints at mid-range prices.

Tackle Some Prep Work Yourself – Cleaning walls, sanding, and removing furniture before hiring a painter can reduce labour costs.

Choose the Right Season – Painting during off-peak seasons (autumn & winter) may result in lower rates due to reduced demand.

For those looking to cut costs, sourcing high-quality paints at the best price is crucial. Many premium and eco-friendly paints are imported into Australia, and businesses need reliable logistics to avoid supply chain disruptions. Whether you’re a contractor, supplier, or distributor, having an efficient importing process in place ensures on-time deliveries and cost-effective supply chains.

The House Painting Cost of DIY Painting

Unlike a professional painting service where you’re paying for their labour, expertise and time, DIY painting will only require the cost of materials.

Materials You’ll Need to have On-Hand Include:

Paint Roller
Brushes
Drop Cloths or Tarps
Paint Trays and Stir Sticks
Step Ladders or Scaffolding (if too high to reach)
Primers
Paint

The average DIY house painter spends $284 on a paint purchase. However, larger jobs usually require several cans of paint. A 5×4 meter room, for example, will typically need five litres to paint its entire interior, including walls, windows, doors and trim.

Aside from materials, the most expensive part of painting your house may be your time. On average, a professional painter will spend between two to four days per room. This includes time spent on prepping the walls, priming the surface of the wall and painting. Meanwhile, a DIY painter could take a great deal longer, and at worst, not finish at all.

Is Home Painting a Good Investment?

Whatever painting project in mind, it really comes down to its ROI – are you going to be able to recoup your investment?

If transforming your outdated exterior can increase the resale price of your home by 5-10%, it’s worth the effort and time. An exterior painting job can also improve curb appeal, making the difference between an unsold home stagnant in the market to a home sold in a few weeks.

The same goes for your house interior. Ultimately, prospective buyers need to envision themselves living in your home. The process starts with an exterior paint job but can be enhanced by adding lighting and fresh interior paint to get buyers excited about buying your home.

Buying The Right Materials when DIY Painting

When selecting paint for your home, factors like colour, type, and price play a crucial role. The right choice depends on cost, surface area, and location. For instance, in colder climates, darker shades—such as deep greens or blue-based reds—help retain warmth by absorbing more heat.

Beyond paint selection, efficient delivery of materials is just as important. Whether tackling a DIY home renovation or managing large-scale projects, timely access to supplies prevents costly delays. Many painting suppliers rely on professional warehousing and distribution services to maintain steady inventory flow and ensure materials arrive when needed.

Conclusion

So there you have it! If you’ve ever wanted to know how much to paint a house, we hope this guide has given you a better idea of what to expect when receiving a quote. Do your research before going ahead painting your home, whether you plan on hiring a professional or doing the job yourself!

Why Go for NewlinePainting?

When you hire Newline Painting, you’re getting the experience, professionalism and competitive pricing from a Melbourne house painting company that has your best interests at heart. Our comprehensive service covers everything from preparation work to after-painting cleaning. Our area of coverage includes most of Melbourne, including Brighton, Elwood, Hawthorn, Port Melbourne, and St Kilda. Meanwhile, the some services we offer include Bedroom Painting, Living Room Painting, Apartment Painting, and Kitchen Painting.

To guarantee the best possible results, Newline Painting offers a colour consultation to ensure that the colours we offer makes your home look at its best. If you’re unsure which paint colours are suited for your home, we’re here to help.

Our painting company also offers the following:

7-year work warranty
A free deep clean of your Interior after the work is done
1% of all profits we make is donated to charity!

So what are you waiting for! Give Newline Painting a call today on 1300 044 206 or get an instant quote on our website.