How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Australia? (2026 Prices)

A bathroom renovation in Australia typically costs $15,000–$30,000 for a standard full renovation. A budget refresh starts around $8,000–$15,000, and a high-end or large bathroom can run $30,000–$45,000+. Tiling, waterproofing, plumbing changes and fixtures are the biggest cost drivers.

Average cost to renovate a bathroom in Australia

The average cost to renovate a bathroom in Australia sits around $15,000–$30,000 for a standard mid-range job, but scope changes the number more than anything else. Here's what each tier typically includes:

Tier	Cost range	What's included
Budget refresh	$8,000–$15,000	Same layout, re-tile, new toilet/vanity/shower screen, re-waterproof, standard fixtures
Mid-range full renovation	$15,000–$30,000	Full strip-out, new waterproofing, floor-to-wall tiling, mid-range fixtures, possible minor layout tweak
High-end / large	$30,000–$45,000+	Layout change, premium tiles and fixtures, freestanding bath, niche/feature tiling, underfloor heating

A bathroom involves several trades (waterproofer, tiler, plumber, electrician and sometimes a builder), which is why even a small room adds up compared with a single-trade job. All figures above are ex. GST — add 10% for a total including GST, or ask your builder to quote it both ways so there's no confusion at invoice time.

What is the average cost to renovate a small bathroom?

A small bathroom or ensuite (2–4 m²) renovated to a standard mid-range spec typically costs $10,000–$18,000. It sits near the bottom of the standard-renovation range rather than well below it, because waterproofing, plumbing and fitting a shower, toilet and vanity cost much the same regardless of floor area. A small bathroom kept to a budget refresh (same layout, re-tile and re-fixture) can come in at $8,000–$12,000.

This is the most common source of sticker shock for homeowners — a small bathroom "should" cost less than a big one, but demolition, waterproofing set-up, a plumber's rough-in visit and a tiler's minimum call-out are all much the same price whether the room is 3 m² or 8 m². The only real saving on a small bathroom is materials (fewer tiles, less waterproofing membrane), which is a smaller share of the total than most people expect.

Cost breakdown by item

For a standard mid-range renovation, here's roughly how the $15,000–$30,000 splits across trades and materials:

Item	Typical cost
Demolition and strip-out	$1,000–$2,500
Waterproofing (per m² of wet area)	$40–$70/m²
Tiling, supply and lay (per m²)	$45–$90/m²
Vanity (supply and install)	$800–$2,500
Shower screen (semi-frameless, installed)	$900–$1,800
Toilet (supply and install)	$500–$1,200
Plumbing labour (rough-in and fit-off)	$2,000–$4,500
Electrical (exhaust fan, lighting, GPO)	$800–$1,800

These line items are guides for a standard 3 m x 2 m bathroom; add them up and they land squarely inside the $15,000–$30,000 mid-range total once builder's margin, waste removal and making-good are included. Tapware is usually a separate allowance again — a basic mixer tap and shower set might be $300–$600, while a premium tapware package can run $1,500–$3,000 across the whole bathroom.

What affects the price

• Layout changes: moving the toilet, shower or vanity means new plumbing and waterproofing — the single biggest cost jump, often $3,000–$8,000 extra.
• Tiling: floor-to-ceiling tiling, large-format or feature tiles add labour and materials, especially around niches and hobs.
• Fixtures and fit-out: tapware, vanity, shower screen and toilet range from builder's-basic to premium, easily a $3,000–$6,000 swing on their own.
• Waterproofing: mandatory to AS 3740 and non-negotiable on price — this is not a line to cut corners on.
• Hidden issues: rotten substrate, old pipes or asbestos discovered on strip-out add cost, sometimes significantly in older homes (pre-1990).
• Size: a larger bathroom means more tiles, more waterproofing area and sometimes a second vanity or bath, but the fixed costs (plumbing rough-in, waterproofing setup, demolition) don't scale down for a small room.
• Access and building type: apartments with body corporate approval requirements, or homes with limited access for skips and deliveries, add time and sometimes cost.
• Underfloor heating and extras: heated floors, niche shelving, feature lighting and a freestanding bath are common high-end add-ons, typically $1,500–$4,000 each.

Common ways bathroom renovations blow the budget

The most frequent cost overruns aren't from fixture upgrades — they're from things found once the old tiles come off: rotten timber under a leaking shower base, corroded old copper or galvanised pipe that needs replacing rather than reusing, and asbestos sheeting behind wall tiles in homes built before 1990 (which needs licensed removal and adds $1,500–$4,000+ depending on scope). Ask your builder to price a contingency allowance of 10–15% into the quote for exactly this reason, rather than being surprised by a variation halfway through. Get any allowance in writing as a dollar figure, not a vague "may vary" note, so you know exactly what you're exposed to if something is found on strip-out.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A standard mid-range bathroom renovation typically takes 3–5 weeks from strip-out to completion, including time for waterproofing to cure (usually 2–3 days minimum between coats and before tiling) and tile adhesive/grout to set before fixtures go back in. A budget refresh with no layout change can be quicker, around 2–3 weeks. Add time if tiles or fixtures are on backorder, or if a layout change needs a plumber and electrician to coordinate rough-in work before the waterproofer and tiler can start.

Roughly, the sequence runs: demolition and disposal (2–3 days), any plumbing/electrical rough-in (2–4 days), waterproofing with curing time between coats (3–5 days including cure), tiling and grouting (4–7 days including cure), then fit-off of the vanity, toilet, tapware and shower screen plus making-good (2–3 days). Delays at any one stage push the whole job out, which is why a realistic written timeline matters as much as the price.

Worked example: mid-range 3 m x 2 m bathroom

A typical mid-range renovation of a standard 6 m² bathroom (3 m x 2 m), keeping the existing layout:

• Demolition and strip-out: $1,800
• Waterproofing (approx. 14 m² of wet-area surface at $55/m²): $770
• Tiling, supply and lay (approx. 20 m² floor and wall at $65/m²): $1,300
• Vanity, supply and install: $1,400
• Shower screen, semi-frameless: $1,200
• Toilet, supply and install: $750
• Plumbing labour: $3,200
• Electrical (fan, lighting, GPO): $1,100
• Builder's margin, waste removal, making-good: $2,480
• Total (ex. GST): $14,000
• Total (inc. 10% GST): $15,400

This sits right at the entry point of the $15,000–$30,000 standard range — a fair result for a same-layout renovation with mid-range fixtures. Moving the shower or adding premium tiles would push this example toward the middle or top of that band.

How to get an accurate bathroom quote

Because multiple trades are involved, the most reliable quote is itemised by element (strip-out, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures and making-good), with a clear allowance for fixtures so you can adjust the spec. Always get the scope and exclusions in writing. A tradie or builder using Insta Quotes can build that itemised quote on-site in minutes instead of days.

Get at least two or three itemised quotes before committing, and check they're pricing the same scope — a quote that's missing waterproofing certification, a contingency allowance or making-good isn't actually cheaper, it's just incomplete.

Related guides

• How to Quote a Tiling Job: Australian Tiler's Pricing Guide
• Bathroom Renovation Cost in New Zealand
• How to Price a Job as a Tradie
• What to Include in a Trade Quote: Australian Checklist
• How to Quote a Plumbing Job: Australian Plumber's Pricing Guide

Quoting bathroom work? See how Insta Quotes itemises tiling and reno quotes in 30 seconds.