At a Glance
Exterior painting in Australia typically costs $4,000–$15,000 per job, using Sydney metro as the baseline. Perth and Adelaide tend to run 10–15% higher. The final price depends on house size, number of storeys, surface material, and the condition of the existing paint. Prep work is the single largest variable.
What's Included
A standard exterior painting quote covers:
- High-pressure wash of all surfaces to remove dirt, mould, and loose paint
- Surface preparation: scraping, sanding, filling cracks, and spot-priming bare areas
- Masking windows, doors, fittings, and landscaping
- Primer coat where needed (bare surfaces, colour changes, repairs)
- Two coats of exterior acrylic paint, applied per AS/NZS 2311
- Trim, fascia, and gutters if included in the scope
- Scaffolding for two-storey or difficult-access areas (may be quoted separately)
Materials account for 20–30% of an exterior job. Labour and scaffolding make up the bulk. Prep work is where the real time goes, and it is the difference between a paint job that lasts 5 years and one that lasts 15.
What Affects the Cost
- House size and height. A single-storey 3-bedroom home has roughly half the wall area of a two-storey equivalent. Two-storey homes also need scaffolding, which adds significantly to the cost.
- Surface material. Weatherboard homes require more prep than rendered or brick surfaces. Each board needs individual attention for peeling, cracking, or rot. Brick (already painted) is the most straightforward substrate.
- Paint condition. Faded but sound paint needs a wash and light sand before recoating. Peeling, flaking, or cracked paint requires extensive scraping, sanding, and priming, which can double the prep time.
- Number of colours. A single-colour scheme (walls and trim in one tone) is faster than a multi-colour scheme with contrasting trim, window frames, and detail work.
- Lead paint (pre-1970 homes). Houses built before 1970 almost certainly have lead paint under existing layers. Proper lead paint management per AS/NZS 4361.2 adds cost and complexity.
- Access difficulty. Properties with limited side access, steep blocks, or overhanging trees take longer and may need specialised scaffolding.
A single-storey brick veneer home with good paint condition and standard access sits toward $4,000. A two-storey weatherboard home with peeling paint, multi-colour scheme, scaffolding, and lead paint management pushes toward $15,000.
Weather affects scheduling more than pricing, but extended delays due to rain or extreme heat (35°C+) can add calendar time to a job. Painters cannot apply exterior paint in wet or excessively hot conditions.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia due to differences in labour rates, dominant housing types, and climate impacts on paint systems.
At the city level, Sydney serves as the baseline at $4,000–$15,000 per job. Melbourne is closely matched, though its large weatherboard housing stock means prep-heavy jobs are more common. Brisbane tends to sit slightly below, but UV intensity means exterior paint breaks down faster, leading to more frequent repainting. Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% above eastern capitals, reflecting smaller trade pools and higher operating costs.
Within any city, property age and surface material create the biggest variance. Inner-city weatherboard homes in suburbs like Balmain (Sydney), Northcote (Melbourne), or Paddington (Brisbane) consistently quote at the upper end due to timber prep. Newer rendered or fibre cement homes in outer suburbs tend toward the lower end. Coastal properties in any city face salt air degradation that shortens paint life and may require marine-grade coatings.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed painters, adjusted for each state and typical housing stock. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential exterior painting. Commercial buildings, strata complexes, and heritage restoration are not included.