Plasterboard Types and What They Cost
The board your plasterer uses affects both the material cost and the installation method. Understanding the options helps you evaluate quotes.
Sheet sizes range from 2400x1200mm (standard, 2.88 m2) up to 6000x1350mm (8.1 m2) for ceiling work and large wall runs. Longer sheets reduce the number of joins but require more hands to handle. A standard residential job uses 2400x1200mm or 3000x1200mm sheets for walls and 3600x1200mm or longer for ceilings.
Three manufacturers supply the Australian market: CSR Gyprock (the dominant brand, manufactured in Australia since 1947), Knauf (global manufacturer with Australian operations), and Siniat (part of the Etex Group, with four Australian manufacturing sites). All three produce boards to AS/NZS 2588. Trade suppliers typically stock one primary brand, so your plasterer's preferred supplier often determines the brand used.
Finish Levels Explained
AS/NZS 2589:2017 defines three levels of plasterboard finish. The level you specify directly affects labour time and cost.
Level 3. Tape and one finishing coat over joins and fastener heads. Suitable only for concealed areas (above ceilings, inside service shafts). Not intended for painted or visible surfaces.
Level 4. The standard residential finish. Joins receive a three-coat system: tape coat plus two subsequent coats, sanded smooth between each. All fastener heads receive two coats. The result is a surface ready for standard
interior painting with flat or low-sheen finishes. This is what most plasterers quote unless you specify otherwise.
Level 5. The highest finish standard. After Level 4 jointing is complete, the entire board surface receives a skim coat of specialty compound, sprayed, rolled, or trowelled over the full area. This eliminates any visible difference between the board face and the jointed areas. Level 5 is recommended under harsh or raking lighting conditions (common with modern downlighting), on feature walls, and wherever a high-gloss paint finish is planned. It adds $5–$10/m2 over Level 4 finishing.
For most residential work, Level 4 is the appropriate standard. Level 5 is worth specifying for open-plan living areas with multiple downlights, feature walls, and any surface receiving semi-gloss or gloss paint. The difference is subtle in normal lighting but obvious under raking light.
What Affects the Cost
Total area. Plasterboard is priced per square metre. Larger jobs bring the per-metre rate down. A single partition wall carries 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, joins are more visible under lighting, and the work is physically more demanding.
Board type. Standard 10mm or 13mm plasterboard is the baseline. Fire-rated, moisture-resistant, acoustic, and impact-resistant boards all cost more per sheet and may require specific installation methods (double layers, rated compounds, resilient mounts).
Finish level. Level 4 is standard residential. Level 5 adds a full skim coat and is increasingly requested in modern homes where LED downlighting exposes every surface imperfection. The skim coat adds $5–$10/m2 in labour and materials.
Ceiling height. Standard 2.4m ceilings are straightforward. Heights of 2.7m or more mean longer sheets (2700mm or 3000mm), more difficult handling, and potentially
scaffolding inside the room.
Cornice vs square-set. Standard cove cornice ($8–$15 per lineal metre installed) 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 Level 5 finishing at the junction, making it more labour-intensive and typically $15–$25 per lineal metre.
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 $8,200.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, construction methods, and the types of plasterboard work common in each market.
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $800–$8,200 per job. Melbourne tracks close to Sydney pricing. Brisbane tends to sit slightly lower, benefiting from accessible roof cavities in high-set Queenslanders that make ceiling lining easier. Smaller trade pools affect availability and plasterboard installation quotes in Perth and Adelaide; see the Pricing by City table for local ranges.
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 in Adelaide's character suburbs or Sydney's inner-west terraces 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.
The AWCI (Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries) is the peak industry body for plasterers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Their member directory can help locate qualified contractors in your area.
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.