What Affects the Cost
Existing infrastructure: Most Melbourne homes already have gas. Adding a bayonet point near an existing line ($150–$400) is cheaper than running new pipe from the meter.
Pipe run complexity: Runs through double-brick walls (common in Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs), under concrete slabs, or through roof spaces add time. External runs along walls are simplest. CSST (Gastite or Omegaflex) flexible tubing reduces installation time for retrofit work at $15–$35 per metre.
Heritage restrictions: Heritage-overlaid properties in suburbs like East Melbourne, South Yarra, and Hawthorn may restrict external pipework, requiring concealed internal routing at higher cost.
Flexible connectors: Must be replaced every 5 years (date-stamped). ESV requires inspection during any gas work. Budget ~$30–$60 per connector plus labour.
Gas phase-out context: From January 2024, new Victorian homes cannot have gas connections. From March 2027, gas
hot water systems in existing homes must be replaced with electric at end-of-life. Gas disconnection and capping work is now a growing segment of gas fitting in Melbourne.
A straightforward appliance connection to an existing bayonet point in a modern Craigieburn home sits toward $200. Running a new concealed gas line through a heritage-overlaid East Melbourne terrace, with brick wall penetrations, restricted external routing, and replacement of original pipework to meet current standards, pushes toward $4,000. Most Melbourne jobs land around $800 for a short new pipe run or connection with connector replacement.
Gas leaks require immediate action. If you smell gas, call Australian Gas Networks' emergency line (1800 427 427) or Multinet Gas (132 691) to isolate the supply before calling a gas fitter. After-hours, weekend, and emergency gas work carries premium rates. Winter demand from April to June creates peak booking periods for gas heater connections and servicing. For non-urgent work, scheduling during business hours and outside the winter peak saves money.
Melbourne-Specific Considerations
Melbourne's relationship with gas is changing faster than any other city in Australia, and this directly affects what gas fitting work looks like in 2026.
Inner suburbs (Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn): These areas have some of Melbourne's oldest gas infrastructure. Properties built in the early 1900s may have original gas fittings, including galvanised steel pipework and outdated regulators. A good gas fitter will inspect existing infrastructure during any new work and flag corroded pipe, non-compliant joints, or expired flexible connectors. In heritage-overlaid areas, external pipe routing may be restricted, pushing work inside walls at higher cost. Double-brick construction (standard in inner Melbourne) makes chasing pipes through walls slower and more expensive than timber-framed plasterboard.
Growth corridors (Craigieburn, Clyde, Tarneit, Wollert): Many developments in Melbourne's outer ring are being built as all-electric estates without gas reticulation, reflecting Victoria's Gas Substitution Roadmap. If you are in a gasless estate and want to add gas, the cost of running a service from the street main through AGN or Multinet Gas is a separate and often substantial cost ($2,000–$3,500+ for a basic residential connection) on top of the internal gas fitting work. For most homeowners in these estates, investing in electric appliances (induction cooktops, heat pump hot water) is more practical than retrofitting gas.
The Victoria gas timeline and what it means for gas fitting work: From January 2024, new homes requiring a planning permit must be all-electric. From January 2027, this extends to all new homes. From March 2027, gas hot water systems in existing homes must be replaced with electric at end-of-life, and rental properties face the same requirement for heating. Existing gas cooking and space heating in owner-occupied homes is unaffected for now. This means Melbourne gas fitters are increasingly handling disconnection, capping, and abolishment work alongside traditional connections. Gas abolishment (permanent meter removal) through your distributor currently costs ~$1,400 but drops to ~$260 from July 2026 under a new AER ruling.
Hiring a Licensed Gas Fitter in VIC
All gas work in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed plumber with a gasfitter endorsement. Victoria recognises two classes: Class A (domestic appliances like cooktops, heaters, and ovens) and Class B (commercial and high-capacity installations exceeding 10 MJ/h). The gas fitter must lodge a compliance certificate with Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) for every job. Verify plumbing licences through the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
Worth checking:
The gas fitter holds a Class A or Class B gasfitter endorsement appropriate to the work
An ESV compliance certificate number is provided before final payment
All flexible connectors on the property are inspected, with replacement dates confirmed
For disconnection work, the gas fitter confirms whether capping (temporary) or abolishment (permanent, meter removed) is appropriate for your situation
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current trade rates for licensed gas fitters in VIC, adjusted for Melbourne labour costs and typical material prices. All figures include GST. Ranges cover appliance connections through to new line installations and gas disconnection work.