At a Glance
Adding a new bedroom partition in an apartment, lining a garage conversion, or re-sheeting walls during a kitchen renovation are among the most common plasterboard jobs in Sydney. Costs range from $800–$8,000 per job, driven by total area, board type, and whether ceilings are involved.
What's Included in the Price
- Supply of AS/NZS 2588 compliant plasterboard sheets (standard, fire-rated, or moisture-resistant as required)
- Fixing sheets to existing timber or steel framing
- Jointing, taping, setting, and sanding all joins to a paint-ready finish per AS/NZS 2589
- Internal and external corner finishing
- Cornice if specified (standard cove or square-set)
Framing is a separate scope. If you need a new partition wall built, the stud frame is typically erected by a carpenter or framer before the plasterer starts. Some plasterers do both, but confirm this at the quoting stage. Insulation, electrical rough-in, and painting are also separate.
What Affects the Cost
- Fire-rated board. In apartments and townhouses, the wall between your unit and the neighbour (the party wall) must meet fire resistance level (FRL) requirements under the NCC. Fire-rated plasterboard and specific installation methods (e.g., double-layer board, fire-rated compounds) add cost per square metre.
- Acoustic board. Noise transmission between attached dwellings is a common complaint. Acoustic-rated plasterboard assemblies (board + insulation + specific framing details) cost more but reduce sound transfer. This is increasingly requested in inner-city terrace renovations.
- Ceiling lining. Ceiling work costs 30–50% more than walls due to overhead handling. High ceilings (2.7m+) common in period homes increase difficulty further.
- Total area. Larger jobs (full room or multiple rooms) bring the per-square-metre rate down. Small jobs (a single partition) carry a minimum charge.
- Finish level. Level 4 (standard residential) is the default. Level 5 (full skim coat) adds cost but produces a flawless surface under harsh lighting, useful for feature walls.
- Access constraints. Getting full-size plasterboard sheets (typically 2.4m x 1.2m or larger) through narrow doorways, up stairwells, or into lifts in inner-city apartments adds handling time.
A single partition wall in a modern apartment with standard board and cove cornice sits toward $800. A multi-room renovation in an older terrace with ceiling lining, fire-rated party walls, acoustic treatment, and Level 5 finishing pushes toward $8,000.
Sydney-Specific Considerations
Sydney's apartment density creates unique plasterboard requirements. In strata buildings, any work on party walls (between units) or fire-rated assemblies requires compliance with the NCC. This means using the correct board type, installation method, and often getting a building certifier involved. Do not assume standard plasterboard is adequate for a party wall; the consequences of non-compliance range from a council order to rectify, to insurance complications in the event of a fire.
In inner-west terraces (Marrickville, Newtown, Leichhardt) and lower north shore Edwardian homes (Mosman, Neutral Bay), renovations often involve lining over old brick or stone walls with plasterboard on furring channels. This creates a flat, paintable surface and allows space for insulation behind the board. The furring channels add cost and a small amount of room width (typically 25–40mm per wall).
Noise attenuation is a growing priority in terraces where party walls were originally single-brick with no acoustic treatment. During a renovation, upgrading the party wall assembly with resilient mounts, acoustic insulation, and one or two layers of plasterboard can significantly reduce noise transfer. This is the most cost-effective time to address noise, because the wall is already being opened up.
Compact apartment layouts in Surry Hills, Potts Point, and Ultimo can make board handling difficult. Sheets may need to be cut smaller for transport through corridors and lifts, which adds labour time.
Hiring a Licensed Plasterer in NSW
NSW distinguishes between wet plastering and dry plastering (plasterboard). NSW Fair Trading requires a contractor licence for plastering work valued over $5,000 (including GST).
When hiring:
- Verify the licence number on the NSW Fair Trading website
- Confirm whether the quote includes framing or just board supply, fix, and finish
- Ask about fire-rated and acoustic experience if relevant to your project
- Request the finish level in writing (Level 4 is standard; Level 5 for feature areas)
- Confirm dust management approach, particularly for renovation work in occupied homes
Dust from plasterboard sanding is fine and pervasive. A good plasterer will sheet up doorways and use extraction equipment. Ask about this before the job starts, not after your kitchen is coated in gypsum dust.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current plasterer rates in the Sydney metropolitan area, adjusted for property age and typical construction in NSW. All prices include GST. Figures cover plasterboard supply, fix, and finish. Framing, insulation, electrical rough-in, and painting are excluded unless noted.