At a Glance
Plasterboard installation in Australia typically costs $800–$8,000 per job, using Sydney metro as the baseline. Perth and Adelaide can run 10–15% higher due to trade labour rates. The final cost depends on the total area (square metres), whether ceilings are involved, the type of board required, and the finish level.
What's Included
A standard plasterboard installation covers:
- Supply and fix of plasterboard sheets to existing framing (timber or steel studs)
- Jointing, taping, and setting all joins to achieve a paint-ready finish in accordance with AS/NZS 2589 Gypsum Linings
- Sanding to the specified finish level (Level 4 is standard residential)
- Internal and external angle finishing
- Cornice installation if included in the scope
What is typically not included: stud framing (that is a carpenter or framer's scope), insulation (often installed between framing and boarding), painting, and any electrical or plumbing rough-in that must happen before the boards go up. Confirm with your plasterer what is and is not in the quote.
What Affects the Cost
- Total area. Plasterboard is priced per square metre. Larger jobs bring the per-metre rate down. A single partition wall is a small-job premium. A full house re-line is more cost-effective per square metre.
- Ceiling vs wall. Ceiling work costs 30–50% more than walls. The boards are heavier to handle overhead, and the joins are more visible under lighting.
- Board type. Standard 10mm or 13mm plasterboard is the baseline. Fire-rated board (for garage-to-living walls or inter-tenancy walls), moisture-resistant board (for bathrooms and laundries), and acoustic board all cost more per sheet and may require specific installation methods.
- Finish level. There are five levels of plasterboard finish. Level 4 is standard residential (all joins taped, set, and sanded smooth). Level 5 adds a full skim coat over the entire surface for a flawless finish under harsh lighting. Level 5 is common on feature walls and adds cost per square metre.
- Ceiling height. Standard 2.4m ceilings are straightforward. Heights of 2.7m or more mean longer sheets, more difficult handling, and potentially scaffolding inside the room.
- Cornice vs square-set. Standard cove cornice is quicker to install and hides imperfections at the wall-ceiling join. Square-set (a clean right angle with no cornice) looks modern but requires a higher finish standard at the join, making it more labour-intensive.
- Framing included. If the stud frame needs building as well (new partition walls, room dividers), that adds to the scope and cost, whether handled by the plasterer or a separate carpenter.
A single partition wall in a modern home with standard board and cove cornice sits toward $800. A multi-room renovation with ceiling lining, fire-rated board, acoustic insulation, and Level 5 finishing pushes toward $8,000.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, construction methods, and the types of plasterboard work that are common in each market.
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $800–$8,000 per job. Melbourne tracks close to Sydney pricing. Brisbane tends to sit slightly lower, benefiting from accessible roof cavities in high-set homes that make ceiling lining easier. Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% above eastern capitals, reflecting higher trade rates and smaller trade pools.
Within any city, costs shift based on the type of work. Inner-city apartment renovations in Sydney or Melbourne often require fire-rated and acoustic-rated assemblies between units, which adds material and compliance costs. Renovations to older homes may need furring channels or battens fixed to masonry walls before plasterboard can be hung. New builds in outer suburbs tend to be more straightforward: standard framing, standard board, standard heights.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for plasterers, adjusted for each state and property age bracket. All prices include GST. Figures cover plasterboard supply, fix, and finish. Framing, insulation, electrical rough-in, painting, and cornice are excluded unless specifically noted in the scope.