At a Glance
Roof painting in Australia typically costs $3,500–$15,000 per job, using Sydney metro as the baseline. Perth and Adelaide tend to run 10–15% higher due to smaller trade pools. The cost depends on roof size, roof type (tile vs metal), condition, pitch, and whether repairs like ridge cap re-pointing are needed.
What's Included
A standard roof painting or restoration quote covers:
- High-pressure wash to remove dirt, moss, lichen, and loose material
- Replacement of cracked or broken tiles (if tiled roof)
- Rust treatment and priming (if metal roof)
- Ridge cap re-bedding and re-pointing where needed (tiled roofs)
- Primer/sealer coat
- Two coats of roof membrane or acrylic roof paint, applied per AS/NZS 2311 recommendations
- All work carried out with appropriate height safety in compliance with AS/NZS 1576 and Safe Work Australia requirements
A full roof restoration (wash, repair, prime, two coats) is the industry standard. Be cautious of quotes that skip the primer coat or do not include a pressure wash.
What Affects the Cost
- Roof size. Measured in square metres of roof area (not floor area). A typical single-storey 3-bedroom home has 150–250m² of roof. Larger homes and complex rooflines have more surface area.
- Roof type. Concrete tile roofs need individual tile attention and ridge cap work. Terracotta tiles are similar but more fragile. Metal roofs (Colorbond or corrugated iron) are faster to spray but rust treatment adds time.
- Roof pitch. Steeper roofs slow the work down and require more safety equipment. Low-pitch roofs are faster and safer to work on.
- Condition. A roof that is faded but structurally sound needs minimal repair. A roof with cracked tiles, loose ridge caps, or rust patches needs repair work before any paint goes on. Ridge cap re-pointing alone can add significantly to the total.
- Solar panels. Panels need to be temporarily removed for a proper paint job, or the area underneath is skipped. Removal and reinstallation by a licensed electrician adds cost.
- Colour choice. Heat reflective roof coatings are gaining popularity (they reduce indoor temperatures) but cost more than standard roof paint.
A small single-storey home with a metal roof in good condition sits toward $3,500. A large two-storey home with a concrete tile roof needing extensive ridge cap work, tile replacements, and a complex roofline pushes toward $15,000.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, dominant roof types, and climate impacts.
At the city level, Sydney serves as the baseline at $3,500–$15,000 per job. Melbourne pricing is comparable, though Melbourne roofs tend to have more moss and lichen growth due to damper winters. Brisbane sits slightly below on labour rates but UV intensity means roofs degrade faster, leading to more frequent painting. Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% above eastern capitals.
Within any city, roof type and condition create the main variance. Established suburbs with 30+ year old concrete tile roofs (such as Canterbury in Melbourne, Epping in Sydney, or Camp Hill in Brisbane) consistently need more repair work than newer metal roofs in outer suburbs. Coastal areas face salt degradation that can accelerate roof coating failure.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed roof painters and restoration specialists, adjusted for each state and property type. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential roof restoration including wash, repair, and paint. Structural roof repairs, full re-roofing, and solar panel removal are not included.