At a Glance
Floor tiling across Australia typically costs $1,500–$10,000 per job, using Sydney metro as the baseline. Perth and Adelaide tend to run 10–15% higher due to smaller trade pools. The price depends on the total area, tile type, floor preparation requirements, and whether existing flooring needs removing first.
What's Included
A standard floor tiling job covers:
- Removal of existing flooring if needed (carpet, vinyl, or old tiles)
- Floor preparation, including levelling compound or screeding to create a flat substrate
- Supply and installation of floor tiles to AS 3958
- Cutting at edges, doorways, and around fixed elements
- Movement joints at doorways, substrate changes, and at maximum 4.5m intervals per AS 3958
- Grouting and silicone at all junctions
- Cleanup and waste disposal
Materials (tiles, adhesive, levelling compound, grout) typically account for 35–45% of the total. Labour makes up the rest and scales with floor preparation complexity and tile pattern.
What Affects the Cost
- Total area. Larger areas get better per-square-metre rates because the tiler spends more time on efficient open runs and less on fiddly cuts. Volume discounts of 10–15% on labour are common for areas over 40m2.
- Floor condition. Almost no existing floor is flat enough for tiles without levelling. Budget for levelling compound or screeding at $40–$75/m2 extra. If the tiler quotes without seeing the floor, expect this cost to appear after the site visit.
- Tile type and size. Basic ceramic tiles are the most affordable to supply and install. Porcelain is harder and more durable but costs more to cut. Large-format tiles (600x600mm and above) require a very flat substrate and more adhesive. Natural stone varies in thickness, adding laying time.
- Existing flooring removal. Old tiles cost $30–$65/m2 to remove. Carpet and vinyl are cheaper to pull up but may leave adhesive residue that needs grinding. Timber floorboards require a cement sheet overlay before tiles can go on.
- Pattern complexity. Straight grid and brick bond are fastest. Herringbone and diagonal layouts add 20–40% to labour time due to extra cuts.
- Underfloor heating. Electric mat systems must be installed before tiles and add to the total project cost. Retrofitting is not possible once tiles are down.
A small laundry or entryway (under 10m2) with basic ceramic tiles on a prepared slab sits toward $1,500. An open-plan kitchen and living area (60m2+) with large-format porcelain, old tile removal, floor levelling, and underfloor heating pushes toward $10,000.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, housing construction methods, and typical floor conditions.
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $1,500–$10,000 per job. Melbourne tracks close to Sydney, though older period homes with timber subfloors require additional preparation (cement sheet overlay) that adds cost. Brisbane often sits slightly below Sydney because concrete slab-on-ground construction is standard, meaning less floor preparation. Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% above eastern capitals due to higher trade rates and smaller tiler pools.
Within any city, the main variable is floor condition. Modern homes built on concrete slabs in outer suburbs (Springfield in Brisbane, Baldivis in Perth, Mawson Lakes in Adelaide) tend to have flat, stable floors that are ready for tiling with minimal preparation. Older homes in established inner suburbs frequently have uneven floors, timber subfloors, or old tile mortar beds that need removal and correction. The gap between a straightforward slab tile and a full floor preparation plus tile job can be 30–50% of the total cost.
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 floor tiling for living areas, kitchens, laundries, and hallways. Bathroom tiling, outdoor tiling, and underfloor heating are quoted separately.