Brands and What They Cost
Understanding the brand tiers helps you evaluate quotes and avoid overpaying for features you do not need, or underspending on a unit that will not cope with your climate.
Price summary (unit only, 2.5kW):
Budget: $600–$900 (Kelvinator, Teco, Carrier)
Mid-range: $850–$1,200 (Samsung, Panasonic, LG)
Premium mid: $950–$1,300 (Daikin Cora, Fujitsu Lifestyle, MHI Avanti)
Premium: $1,100–$1,500 (Mitsubishi Electric AP)
Sizing: Getting It Right
The most expensive mistake in split system installation is getting the size wrong. An undersized unit runs constantly at maximum capacity, struggles to dehumidify, and wears out prematurely. An oversized unit short-cycles (turns on and off too frequently), wastes energy, cools too quickly without removing humidity, and promotes mould growth.
The rule of thumb is 100–150 watts per square metre for standard 2.4m ceiling rooms:
10–20 m2 (small bedroom): 2.0–2.5kW
20–30 m2 (medium room, study): 2.5–3.5kW
30–45 m2 (large bedroom, living room): 5.0–6.0kW
45–65 m2 (open-plan living/dining): 7.0–8.0kW
Adjust upward 10–20% for ceilings above 2.7m, large west-facing windows, poor insulation, or top-floor apartments. Brisbane and Perth need more capacity than Melbourne for the same room size due to higher peak temperatures and (in Brisbane) humidity load.
AS/NZS 5141:2018 requires a heat load assessment at the property before specification. An installer who sizes based on room area alone without considering orientation, insulation, window area, and climate zone is cutting corners.
One thing that catches people out: if your car's onboard charger maxes out at 7kW, a 22kW wall charger will not charge faster. The same principle applies with air conditioning. If a unit is rated at 7kW output, a larger outdoor unit paired with it will not deliver more cooling.
Refrigerant: R32 and What It Means
All modern residential split systems sold in Australia use R32 refrigerant, which has replaced the older R410A. R32 has roughly one-third the global warming potential of R410A (GWP 675 vs 2,088) and is slightly more energy efficient.
From 1 July 2025, it is illegal to import or manufacture multi-head split systems using refrigerants with a GWP above 750, effectively banning R410A in new multi-splits. This extends the existing ban on single-head splits. Australia's Kigali Amendment commitment targets an 85% reduction in HFC use by 2036.
Only ARC (Australian Refrigeration Council) licensed technicians can purchase refrigerant and work on refrigerant circuits. This is a federal law, not optional. Penalties for unlicensed refrigerant work are significant.
What Affects the Cost
Pipe run length and complexity. Back-to-back installs ($600–$900 labour) are the cheapest. Copper refrigerant pipe costs $50–$130/m beyond the standard included length. Exposed pipework runs $50–$60/m; pipe in duct runs $125/m. Once you reach 10–15 metres through a roof space or around corners, costs climb substantially.
Wall type. Timber frame and weatherboard walls are quick to penetrate. Brick veneer takes longer. Double brick or concrete block requires core drilling ($150–$250), which sometimes requires a specialist corer.
Unit capacity (kW). A 2.5kW bedroom unit costs $1,800–$2,800 supplied and installed. A 7.1kW living area unit costs $3,400–$5,000 supplied and installed. Larger units need heavier brackets and thicker pipe runs.
Number of indoor heads. Multi-split systems (one outdoor unit, multiple indoor heads) cost more per head but save on external wall space. A 2-head multi-split runs $4,200–$5,000 supplied and installed, with each additional head adding $1,000–$1,600. The outdoor unit is much larger and heavier (80–100kg), and each additional head adds a pipe run.
Electrical requirements. Every split system needs a dedicated circuit with RCD protection. If your switchboard has no spare slots and needs replacing, a
full board upgrade costs $1,000–$3,600 per job separately. Three-phase supply may be needed for larger multi-split systems.
Brand tier. The difference between a budget 2.5kW unit ($600–$900) and a premium mid-range unit ($950–$1,300) is significant. Japanese brands (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic) dominate the Australian market for reliability and service network.
Access difficulty. Second-storey installs, tight roof spaces, and units mounted high on external walls all add labour time. Scaffolding or cherry picker hire adds $150–$300 per day.
A straightforward back-to-back install of a single 2.5kW unit on a timber-frame wall, with the switchboard nearby and spare capacity, sits toward $1,500. A multi-split system with three indoor heads, 15m+ pipe runs through a brick home, core drilling, a switchboard upgrade, and second-storey access pushes toward $10,200.
Government Rebates and Incentives
Some states offer meaningful discounts on split system installations, particularly when replacing old or inefficient heating systems.
Victoria: Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU). The VEU program provides upfront discounts through accredited providers. For a non-ducted reverse-cycle split system, discounts of up to ~$2,940 are available, with a minimum co-payment of $200 for systems under 10kW. Replacing a gas space heater with a split system qualifies for up to ~$1,610. The discount is applied at point of sale by accredited VEU providers who generate Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) and pass the value to you as a reduced price. From 31 March 2025, all VEU-installed products must include a 5-year warranty. The program has been extended to 2045.
South Australia: Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS). Energy retailers in SA provide discounts on efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners as part of government-mandated energy productivity targets. The discount varies by retailer and is not a fixed amount. REPS Phase 2 runs 2026 to 2030. Note: REPS activities are generally permitted only once per address.
Federal: Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF). The CEFC-backed fund offers discounted finance (low-interest loans) through participating lenders for energy-efficient upgrades including air conditioners. This is not a direct rebate but can reduce the financing cost.
NSW, QLD, WA: No state-specific split system rebate programs. Federal HEUF discounted finance is the main option.
Running Costs
Running costs depend on unit size, energy star rating, and your electricity tariff:
2.5kW unit: $0.22–$0.80/hr at typical rates, roughly $50–$200/year
5.0kW unit: $0.50–$1.50/hr, roughly $150–$400/year
7.0kW unit: $0.90–$2.50/hr, roughly $200–$600/year
Inverter units (which is all modern splits) run at reduced capacity once the set temperature is reached, so actual costs are typically 40–60% of maximum draw figures. SA electricity rates ($0.35–$0.40/kWh) are the highest; QLD ($0.25–$0.30/kWh) is the lowest.
The Zoned Energy Rating Label (ZERL) replaced the old single-star rating in 2020. It provides separate star ratings for three Australian climate zones (hot, average, cold) and includes noise levels in decibels. More stars means less electricity for the same output, with each extra star typically saving $50–$100+ per year.
City and Regional Price Comparison
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $1,500–$10,200 per system. Melbourne pricing is similar, though double-brick construction in older suburbs means core drilling ($150–$250) is more common. Brisbane benefits from lighter timber-frame construction, though the subtropical climate means systems run 8–10 months of the year and homeowners often size up. See the Pricing by City table for Perth and Adelaide ranges.
Within any city, suburb-level variation is significant. A new-build in Oran Park (Sydney), Tarneit (Melbourne), or Springfield (Brisbane) might be a half-day back-to-back job at the low end. A Federation terrace in Glebe, a double-brick home in Kew, or a bluestone cottage in Norwood is a full day or more. Newer homes with timber frame and attached garages are simpler; older homes with masonry, heritage considerations, and access constraints cost more.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed air conditioning technicians holding ARC licences, adjusted for each state and property age. All prices include GST. Figures assume a standard residential installation. Commercial systems are not included; residential ducted systems are a separate installation option costing $8,200–$22,400 per system, including the unit and ductwork.