Bathroom Renovation Cost Australia: 2025 Price Guide

I get more questions about bathroom renovation cost than any other topic, and I get it. It is the first thing every renovation question starts with: how much will my bathroom renovation cost? The simple answer is that it depends on how big your bathroom is, how much work needs to be done, what finishes you pick, and where in Australia you live. But I can tell you exactly where your dollar is going.
A full bathroom renovation in Australia typically costs between $10,000 and $60,000 or more. Most standard family homes sit in the $10,000 to $35,000 range — a broad band because you can either just refresh the space with fresh paint and new tapware, or you can take everything out to reposition the wet area with new plumbing. Premium and high-end fit-outs with smart technology and top-tier finishes can push the total to $60,000 or beyond.

Title: Bathroom Renovation Costs 2025: How Much Should You Budget? Upload Date: 2025-04-16 Description: This video provides a detailed breakdown of bathroom renovation costs for 2025, covering budget, mid-range, and high-end tiers alongside labour, fixtures, tiling, and practical money-saving strategies. Video Credit: My Boys Contracting

What Actually Goes Into a Bathroom Renovation Cost?

If this is the first time you are renovating a bathroom, you will be surprised at how many separate tasks and costs make up a bathroom renovation. It is more than buying a fancy vanity and choosing the perfect tiles. You need to pay for demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fixture installation, and finishing work — each handled by a different licensed tradesperson. On most jobs your builder or a specialised bathroom renovation company coordinates all of them under one contract, which is usually worth the markup for the time it saves you chasing quotes and bookings.
My bathroom renovation cost breakdown for most projects in Australia is: plumbing is around 20 to 25 per cent, tile supply and laying is another 20 to 25 per cent, waterproofing is 5 to 10 per cent, and electrical is around 10 per cent. The rest is your products: toilet suite, vanity, basin, tapware, shower screen.

Construction worker with tool belt laying floor tiles during a home renovation

Cost Breakdown by Component: Where Your Money Goes

As I have already said, the biggest cost is plumbing. Plumbers charge from $80 to $120 per hour, and a typical bathroom fit-out runs 2 to 4 days of labour for rough-in and fit-off combined, plus the cost of pipework, connections and tapware supply — which is why plumbing ends up at 20 to 25 per cent of your total project cost even on a straight swap. If you have to reposition the toilet, vanity, bath, or shower, add another $1,500 to $3,000 for the extra labour and new pipe runs.
The other big cost is tiles. Tiling supply is $35 to $120 per square metre, and laying costs range from $50 to $70 per square metre. But remember — a typical Australian bathroom has 12 to 20 square metres of tiling in total, not just the floor, depending on whether you tile to half-height, up to the shower line at 1,800 mm, or full floor-to-ceiling. That means total tiling costs usually fall between $1,000 and $3,800.
The same goes for waterproofing, because it is a mandatory cost. Expect to pay $50 to $80 per square metre for waterproofing. This is one thing you do not want to skip — and make sure your waterproofer gives you a compliance certificate confirming the job meets the Australian Standard for wet area waterproofing (AS 3740:2021). Keep that certificate on file. Your insurer will ask for it if a leak ever turns into a claim.
Electrical work will cost you between $80 and $130 per hour.
One quick note on the products themselves. In Australia, any tapware, mixers, cisterns and similar plumbing fittings must carry WaterMark certification before a licensed plumber will install them (WaterMark Certification Scheme), and taps, showers and toilets must also meet the mandatory water efficiency labelling requirements. These are legal requirements, not bonus extras, so check the product listing before you buy. Uncertified fittings will be refused on install and can void your insurance down the track.

Modern bathroom with marble tiles, floating timber vanity, LED mirror, and matte black fixtures

Budget vs Mid-Range vs High-End: What Each Level Gets You

How much does a new bathroom cost at different levels? In the $10,000 to $18,000 range (budget), renovations are cosmetic. PVC vanities will cost as little as $300, as will a toilet suite from around $150.
The mid-range is more like $18,000 to $30,000. A mid-range renovation is one where the layout changes and better quality products can be sourced. The cost for a plywood vanity with ceramic top will be between $500 and $1,200, and a frameless shower screen will be $800 to $1,500. You will be buying quality tapware from reputable Australian bathroom brands.
At the $30,000 to $60,000 or over level, you are completely revamping the bathroom with higher-quality materials and smart toilet technology.

Unfinished bathroom interior with exposed plumbing pipes and electrical wiring during renovation

The Hidden Costs That Catch Most Renovators Off Guard

A common problem in older homes (pre-1990) is asbestos. If you test for asbestos, it will be between $50 to $100, and removal will be a further $1,500 to $5,000.
If structural changes need to be made, these can easily add another $2,000 to $8,000 before your renovations begin.
Old plumbing and electrical work is often a hidden cost to home renovators. The industry standard is to have a 10 to 15 per cent contingency.
As I said before, your new bathroom vanity with sink is a centrepiece to any bathroom. A mid-range price is $500 to $1,200. The cost of a bath cabinet for storage is going to cost between $150 to $700.

Couple reviewing renovation expenses and budget documents with a calculator

How to Get Accurate Quotes and Stay on Budget

Ask for at least three quotes and compare like-for-like.
Get your products before building works begins. Delivery can take between 4 to 8 weeks. When looking for affordable fixtures, shopping for Vanities online allows you to view products from a large range of suppliers and compare pricing.
Have some money to cover contingencies. As I said before, the 10 to 15 per cent range on a $25,000 bathroom renovation can be anywhere between $2,500 to $3,750.
Bathroom renovation cost australia varies by city. In Sydney and Darwin, full renovations start from around $11,500. In Hobart and Adelaide, lower labour rates bring the entry point down — a cosmetic refresh can start as low as $9,000, though a full renovation with new layout and plumbing still typically lands at $10,000 to $11,500 (HIA Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide 2025). Always get local quotes.

References

AS 3740:2021 Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas, Standards Australia
WaterMark Certification Scheme, Australian Building Codes Board
HIA (Housing Industry Association) — Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide 2025

FAQs

How long will my bathroom renovation take?

Typically it will take between 3 to 6 weeks, from start to finish. Waterproofing will need between 24 to 72 hours to cure before tiles can be laid over the top.

Should I get a fixed-price or hourly quote for my project?

I would say fixed-price where possible to allow you cost certainty. Just make sure the scope is clearly defined in writing.

Can I save money by doing some work myself?

Things like painting, mounting accessories, and assembling flat-pack vanities can be done by you. However, plumbing, electrical, and waterproofing must be done by licensed professionals. In all Australian states, doing licensed work yourself is illegal and can void your insurance.