What's Included
A standard bathroom tiling job covers:
- Surface preparation (levelling compound, priming, and cleaning the substrate)
- Supply and installation of wall and floor tiles to AS 3958:2023
- Tile cutting around fixtures, niches, and fittings
- Adhesive application (cement-based or flexible, at $10–$20/m2 for adhesive and grout combined)
- Grouting and silicone sealing at all junctions and movement joints
- Cleanup and disposal of tile offcuts and packaging
Materials (tiles, adhesive, grout, silicone) typically make up 40–50% of the total cost. Labour is the remainder, and it scales with pattern complexity, tile size, and the number of cuts required. Labour rates for bathroom tiling run $45–$120/m2 nationally, with wall tiling at the higher end due to the precision required for vertical work and fixture cutouts.
Waterproofing is not included in the tiling price. Under AS 3740:2021, all wet areas must be waterproofed by a licensed waterproofer before tiling begins. The waterproofing membrane is a mandatory hold point: a certifier must inspect and approve it before your tiler can start. This is a separate trade and a separate quote, typically $1,000–$2,500 for a standard bathroom. See our bathroom waterproofing cost guide for details.
Tile Types and Material Costs
The tile you choose is the single biggest variable in the final price. Understanding the tiers helps you evaluate quotes and control your budget.
| Tile Type | Supply Cost (per m2) | Installation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic (basic white, subway) | $20–$50/m2 | Lightest, easiest to cut. Most cost-effective for walls. Beaumont Tiles stocks ceramic subway from ~$25/m2. |
| Porcelain (standard 300x600mm) | $40–$100/m2 | Denser and more water-resistant than ceramic. Better for floors and constant-wet areas like shower bases. Available at National Tiles and Amber. |
| Large-format porcelain (600x600mm+) | $50–$150/m2 | Fewer grout lines for a sleek look but requires a very flat substrate and experienced handling. Labour runs 20–30% more than standard tiles. Panels at 600x1200mm are now the dominant choice in metro renovations. |
| Natural stone (marble, travertine) | $60–$200+/m2 | Must be sealed before and after installation. Heavier, needs stronger adhesive. Stone-specific cutting equipment adds labour time. |
| Mosaic and feature tiles | $40–$150/m2 | Labour-intensive: each sheet needs precise alignment and more grouting per area. Popular for shower niche linings and feature strips. |
Adhesive matters too. Standard cement-based adhesive suits most ceramic and porcelain jobs. Flexible adhesive is required over underfloor heating mats, timber substrates, and anywhere with slight movement risk. Rapid-set adhesive costs slightly more but halves the curing time, useful when the tiler needs to grout the same day.
What Affects the Cost
- Bathroom size and scope. A small ensuite with floor and shower tiles is far less work than a full family bathroom tiled floor-to-ceiling on every wall. Compact bathrooms (3–5m2) actually cost more per square metre because the tiler spends proportionally more time on cuts and edges versus open runs.
- Tile type and size. Basic ceramic and subway tiles are the most affordable to supply and install. Large-format porcelain (600x600mm and above) requires a flatter substrate, more adhesive, and careful handling. Natural stone needs sealing and specialised cutting. Mosaics are labour-intensive due to alignment and grouting per sheet.
- Pattern complexity. Straight stack and brick bond are the fastest to lay. Herringbone, chevron, and mixed patterns increase labour time by 20–40%.
- Niches and shelves. Each shower niche adds cutting, waterproofing coordination, and finishing work. Two niches or a tiled shelf can add half a day of labour.
- Old tile removal. Removing existing tiles costs $25–$50/m2 and frequently damages the waterproof membrane underneath, requiring re-waterproofing before new tiles can go on.
- Substrate condition. Uneven walls or floors need levelling before tiling. Older properties often have walls that are far from plumb, which the tiler must correct with levelling compound or render.
- Grout selection. Standard cement grout costs $8–$12/m2 installed but needs periodic sealing in wet areas. Epoxy grout adds $15–$25/m2 but resists mould and staining without ongoing maintenance. For shower recesses, epoxy is a strong investment.
- Slip resistance. Under AS 4586, tiles in wet barefoot areas like showers should have a minimum P3 slip resistance rating. Your tiler should confirm the P-rating of any tile selected for shower floors.
A straightforward ensuite retile with basic ceramic tiles, brick bond pattern, and good substrate condition sits toward $2,000. A full family bathroom with large-format porcelain, herringbone feature wall, multiple niches, old tile removal, and substrate correction pushes toward $12,000.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia due to differences in labour rates, housing stock, and the condition of existing bathrooms.
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $2,000–$12,000 per bathroom. Melbourne tracks close to Sydney, though period homes with non-standard bathroom dimensions add cutting complexity and underfloor heating is a common addition. Brisbane tends to sit slightly below Sydney, benefiting from newer housing stock with concrete slab floors that simplify substrate preparation, though humidity makes epoxy grout more important. Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% above eastern capitals, reflecting higher trade rates and smaller tiler pools.
Within any city, the spread depends heavily on property age and bathroom condition. Inner-city apartments in Sydney and Melbourne often have small bathrooms that maximise per-square-metre cost because the tiler spends proportionally more time on cuts and edges versus open runs. Older suburbs with original bathrooms from the 1960s–1980s frequently need tile removal and re-waterproofing, pushing costs toward the upper end. Newer estates in outer suburbs with fresh substrates and straightforward layouts tend to sit at the lower end of the range.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed tilers, adjusted for each state and property age bracket. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential bathroom tiling including walls and floors. Waterproofing, plumbing modifications, and fixture installation are separate costs not included in these estimates.