TilerUpdated September 2026

How Much Does Bathroom Tiling Cost in Australia?

At a Glance

Sydney guide range

$2,000–$12,200per bathroom

Mid point $5,000 per bathroom

Sydney/NSW · Built 1990–2010 · Other factors typical · Not a personalised quote

Median reported amount $4,450 · Based on 30 reports · Report years: 2013–2026

Location

Property age

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Bathroom tiling in Australia typically costs $2,000–$12,200 per bathroom, using Sydney metro as the baseline. The final price depends on bathroom size, tile material, pattern complexity, and whether existing tiles need removing first. Waterproofing is a separate cost that must be completed before any tiling begins.

Pricing by City

Bathroom Tiling guide ranges, per bathroom, for five major cities, using the same state and territory adjustments. Select a city to open its guide.

Ranges use each city’s state or territory adjustment to the Sydney baseline, rounded to the nearest $50. They are not quotes.

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.

Bathroom waterproofing costs $600–$3,600 per bathroom and 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.

What Homeowners Reported Paying

Price reports shared by Australian homeowners.

Community price reports

Homeowner-reported amounts, with badges showing whether each was paid, quoted or unspecified.

Median reported amount: $4,450
Middle 50% of reported amounts (25th–75th percentile): $3,300 – $7,600

Based on 30 reports · Report years: 2013–2026

Individual community price reports. Reference information only.
Year & location	Scope of work	Reported amount
2026Australia	tiling a renovated bathroom Single Room	$8,350Reported paid
2026Australia	tile about 8m2 floor and 6.5m2 shower recess walls (similar to the post) Single Room	$2,000Reported paid
2026Australia	tiling and waterproofing a 2.4 x 1.5m bathroom stripped to the studs (owner-managed renovation) Single Room	$4,300Reported paid
2026Australia	tiling about 30m2 for a bathroom renovation (screeding and mitres itemised separately) Single Room	$4,200Price type unknown
2026Australia	tile a bathroom floor to ceiling on 3 walls plus the laundry floor Single Room	$9,000Quoted
2025Australia	tiling labour for two bathrooms inc GST; tiles and project management charged separately Multiple Rooms	$13,985Price type unknown
2025SA	small 3 x 1m ensuite: waterproofing; plaster plumbing chases; self levelling floor; lay 15m2 300x600 tiles and 5m2 subway tiles; non-tile materials supplied Single Room	$5,400Quoted
2025Australia	waterproof and tile a 9m2 bathroom stripped to frames; owner-supplied tiles (waterproofing just under 3k; tiling just under 5k) Single Room	$7,500Quoted
2025Australia	tile floor and 3 walls floor to ceiling including caulking in an 8m2 bathroom; owner did lining and waterproofing and supplied tiles Single Room	$3,000Reported paid
2025Australia	tile a bathroom (walk-in shower; 600x600 floor to ceiling; mitred edges) and a laundry; not including waterproofing Multiple Rooms	$5,500Reported paid
2025Australia	screed; waterproof; tile and grout 23m2 in a bathroom; excluding materials (work later disputed) Single Room	$5,000Quoted
2025Australia	tile a bathroom floor to ceiling on 3 walls (4th wall half height) plus a separate toilet floor; skirting and one wall Multiple Rooms	$7,600Quoted
2025Australia	tiling labour for a floor to ceiling bathroom (12k of tiles separate) Single Room	$16,000Reported paid
2025Australia	tile a 2.3 x 2.35m tiny-house bathroom pod with a 1 x 1m shower Single Room	$2,600Quoted
2025Australia	professional tiling for an owner-managed bathroom renovation Single Room	$3,200Reported paid
2024Australia	tile bathroom; ensuite and laundry floor: about 70m2 including screeding and waterproofing; labour and materials excluding tiles; plus GST Multiple Rooms	$18,000Quoted
2024Australia	tiling a small bathroom; about 3 days; excludes demolition (2000 extra) and tiles Single Room	$4,600Quoted
2024Australia	tile a 1.2 x 1m shower to 2m high including niche and waterproofing Single Room	$1,000Price type unknown
2024Australia	tiling a small ensuite and a small bathroom including a wall shelf; screed and waterproofing; quote 5.5k ended at 6k with extra removal Multiple Rooms	$6,000Reported paid
2024SA	tiling a small bathroom without demolition (same job as the post) Single Room	$16,000Quoted
2024SA	tiling a small bathroom without demolition; cheapest of three quotes Single Room	$8,000Reported paid
2024SA	small 3 x 1m ensuite tiling excluding wall plastering Single Room	$3,600Quoted
2021Australia	tiler did waterproofing and all tiling including tiles; 1.5m x 3.5m bathroom Single Room	$4,000Price type unknown
2018VIC	tile an ensuite; bathroom and laundry with 600 x 600 tiles on floors and walls floor to ceiling (about 41m2); inc GST Multiple Rooms	$3,600Reported paid
2015Australia	tile over 50m2 of a bathroom including cement sheet underlay and wall sheets and waterproofing; tiles extra Single Room	$3,500Reported paid
2013Australia	3x3m bathroom: floor to ceiling tiling with new screed and wall sheeting by the tiler; tiles supplied separately Single Room	$4,125Reported paid
2013Australia	bathroom floor to ceiling tiling: 2 tilers 5.5 days; tiles supplied separately Single Room	$3,000Reported paid
2013Australia	wet-seal and lay floor to ceiling tiles in a small bathroom (3m2 floor; 300x300 floor and 600x300 walls) Single Room	$2,600Quoted
2013Australia	tiling about 20m2 incl adhesives and labour	$5,000Quoted
2013NSW	tiling a new ensuite and a new laundry incl screeding and shower fall; owner supplied tiles Multiple Rooms	$3,000Reported paid

Sparky collects public homeowner reports from forums such as Reddit, Whirlpool, OzBargain and PropertyChat, review sites such as ProductReview, and a few direct submissions. We read each source thread before adding a report but do not verify the underlying transaction. Reports include amounts paid, quotes received and amounts with an unknown price type; the statistics combine these types. GST treatment is usually unknown, and inclusions vary. Amounts are in Australian dollars and are not adjusted for inflation. The statistics describe this collection only. Compare scope, location and year before using them as a reference.

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 $12,200.

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–$12,200 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 have smaller tiler pools that affect availability and quotes; see the Pricing by City table for their bathroom tiling ranges.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does bathroom tiling take?

A standard bathroom (floor and walls to 1.8m) takes 3 to 5 days for tiling alone. Add at least one extra day for old tile removal if needed, and 24 hours for waterproofing membrane cure time before tiling can start.

Does the waterproofing need to be done before bathroom tiling?

Yes. Under AS 3740, all wet areas must be waterproofed before any tiles are installed. The waterproofing membrane needs at least 24 hours to cure. This is done by a separate licensed waterproofer, not the tiler.

Can I tile over existing bathroom tiles instead of removing them?

It is possible if the existing tiles are firmly bonded, level, and the additional height will not cause problems with door clearance, shower screens, or fixtures. However, most tilers recommend removal because hidden damage to the waterproofing membrane underneath cannot be assessed without taking the old tiles off.

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles for bathrooms?

Porcelain is denser, harder, and more water-resistant than ceramic, making it better suited to wet areas. Ceramic is cheaper to buy and easier to cut. Both are suitable for bathroom walls, but porcelain is the better choice for shower floors where water exposure is constant.

Do bathroom floor tiles need to be slip-resistant?

Yes. Under AS 4586, tiles in wet barefoot areas like showers should have a minimum slip resistance of P3. Your tiler should confirm the P-rating of the tiles selected for shower floors and bathroom floors that get wet regularly.

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