At a Glance
Bathroom tiling in Sydney ranges from $2,000 to $12,000 per bathroom, depending on bathroom size, tile type, and how much preparation work the substrate needs. Inner-city apartments with compact ensuites sit at one end of the range; full family bathroom retiles with large-format porcelain and multiple niches sit at the other.
What's Included in the Price
- Surface preparation (levelling, priming, and substrate correction)
- Supply and installation of wall and floor tiles to AS 3958
- Tile cutting around fixtures, shower niches, and fittings
- Grouting and silicone sealing at all junctions
- Cleanup and disposal of offcuts
Waterproofing is a separate cost. Under AS 3740, wet areas must be waterproofed before tiling begins. In apartment buildings, strata may require a waterproofing certification before your tiler can start. Budget $1,000–$2,500 separately for waterproofing a standard bathroom.
What Affects the Cost
- Bathroom size and tile coverage. Small ensuites in Sydney apartments often have just 8–12m2 of tileable surface, but the per-square-metre cost is higher because cuts and edges take proportionally more time than open runs.
- Tile type. Subway tiles remain the most cost-effective option. Large-format tiles (600x600mm and above) are popular in Sydney renovations but need a flatter substrate and more adhesive, increasing both material and labour costs.
- Pattern complexity. Herringbone and chevron patterns add 20–40% to labour time versus a standard brick bond layout.
- Shower niches. Each niche adds cutting and coordination with the waterproofer. Two or more niches can add half a day of labour.
- Old tile removal. Removing existing tiles runs $25–$50/m2 and frequently damages the waterproof membrane. If the membrane is compromised, it must be redone before new tiles go on.
- Substrate condition. Walls in older apartments and terraces are rarely plumb. The tiler needs to level and correct before any tiles go up.
A straightforward ensuite retile in a modern Zetland or Mascot apartment with subway tiles and a single niche sits toward $2,000. A full bathroom renovation in a Marrickville terrace with large-format porcelain, herringbone feature wall, old tile removal, and substrate correction pushes toward $12,000.
Sydney-Specific Considerations
Sydney's mix of compact inner-city apartments and older terraces creates two distinct tiling scenarios.
Inner-city apartments. Zetland, Mascot, Rhodes, Parramatta. Small ensuites and main bathrooms with concrete slab substrates. The slab is generally flat and stable, simplifying preparation. The challenge is size: tight spaces mean more precise cutting and slower progress. Strata bodies often require waterproofing certificates and may restrict work to business hours, limiting the tiler's available window.
Inner-west terraces. Marrickville, Newtown, Leichhardt, Balmain. Many of these homes still have original 1920s–1960s bathrooms with uneven walls and floors. Substrate correction is the norm, not the exception. Removing old tiles from rendered walls can pull chunks of render with them, adding plastering work before tiling can begin.
North Shore and eastern suburbs renovations. Lane Cove, Mosman, Bondi, Randwick. These suburbs see a higher proportion of premium tile selections: natural stone, large-format porcelain, and designer patterns. The tile cost itself drives the total up, independent of bathroom size.
Large-format tiles (600x1200mm panels) have become the dominant choice in Sydney bathroom renovations. They look good, but they require a very flat substrate, careful handling, and an experienced tiler. If your quote seems low for large-format tiles, check whether the tiler has factored in substrate levelling.
Hiring a Licensed Tiler in NSW
In NSW, tiling work valued over $5,000 (including GST) requires the tiler to hold a licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. The licence class is "Wall and Floor Tiling."
Before hiring, check:
- Current NSW tiling licence (verify on the NSW Fair Trading licence search)
- Public liability insurance
- That the tiler confirms waterproofing must be completed first (if they offer to skip it, walk away)
- References or photos of recent bathroom tiling work
Red flags: A tiler who quotes without inspecting the bathroom in person, offers to "do the waterproofing and tiling together" without holding a separate waterproofing licence, or cannot provide their licence number on request.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed tilers in the Sydney metro area, adjusted for property age and bathroom size. All prices include GST. Waterproofing, plumbing, and fixture installation are separate costs not included in these figures.