At a Glance
Ventilation and exhaust fan installation in Australia typically costs $200–$1,500 per job, using Sydney as the baseline. A single bathroom exhaust fan replacement with existing ducting sits at the low end. Multi-room ducted extraction systems, kitchen rangehood ducting through an external wall, or roof ventilation upgrades push toward the top.
What's Included
A typical ventilation or exhaust fan installation covers:
- Supply and install of the fan unit (ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, or inline)
- Ducting from the fan to the external discharge point (roof cowl or wall vent)
- Electrical connection to an existing circuit or dedicated switch, compliant with AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules
- Roof or wall penetration and weatherproof sealing at the discharge point
- Extraction rates sized to meet AS 1668.2 Ventilation Design minimums (25 L/s for bathrooms, 50 L/s for kitchens)
- Testing and commissioning to confirm airflow
The fan unit itself is usually 20–30% of the total cost. Labour, ducting materials, and the roof or wall penetration make up the rest, and this is where prices vary most between homes.
What Affects the Cost
- Fan type and capacity. A basic ceiling-mounted bathroom fan is inexpensive. Inline fans (mounted in the roof space with ducting to the room) cost more but are quieter and can serve multiple rooms. High-capacity kitchen extraction fans are larger and more expensive.
- Number of rooms or fans. A single bathroom fan is straightforward. Adding extraction to two bathrooms, a laundry, and a kitchen multiplies ducting runs and penetration points.
- Ducting requirements. If ducting already exists and is in good condition, the job is much simpler. New ducting runs through roof spaces, especially long or complex routes with bends, add significant cost. Rigid or semi-rigid ducting costs more than flexible foil but performs far better and lasts longer. Old flexible foil ducting that has sagged or kinked should be replaced.
- Roof access. Easy roof access with plenty of clearance keeps labour time down. Tight roof spaces, cathedral ceilings, or flat roofs make ducting installation harder and slower.
- Wall or roof penetration. Every new external discharge point requires cutting through the roof or wall, installing a cowl or vent, and sealing against weather. Brick and concrete walls need core drilling. Tile roofs require careful work to avoid cracking surrounding tiles.
- Power source. Hardwired fans connected to a wall switch need an electrician. If no existing circuit reaches the fan location, running new cable adds cost. Some fans also include a timer or humidity sensor, which requires additional wiring.
- Bathroom fans venting into the roof cavity. Many older Australian homes have exhaust fans that dump moist air into the roof space rather than outside. Correcting this means adding ducting and a discharge point, which costs more than a simple fan swap but prevents serious mould and timber damage.
A straightforward swap of a single bathroom ceiling fan where ducting and wiring already exist sits toward $200. Installing extraction fans in multiple rooms with new ducting runs through a tight roof space, external wall penetrations through brick, and new electrical circuits pushes toward $1,500.
City and Regional Price Comparison
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $200–$1,500 per job. Melbourne pricing tracks close to Sydney, though double-brick walls in older suburbs make external wall penetrations more involved. Brisbane often benefits from lighter timber-frame construction and accessible raised-floor homes, though the subtropical humidity makes proper ventilation more critical than in any other capital.
Perth and Adelaide typically run 10–15% higher on labour due to smaller trade pools. Perth's dry climate means ventilation work is less frequent, which can mean fewer specialists and slightly longer lead times. Adelaide's older stone cottages present thick wall penetration challenges similar to Melbourne's double brick.
Within any city, the biggest price variation comes from construction type and roof access. A 2010-era project home with a tile roof, timber frame walls, and generous roof clearance is a half-day job. A 1930s brick bungalow with a low-pitch iron roof, double-brick walls, and fans currently venting into the ceiling space is a full day or more.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed air conditioning technicians and electricians, adjusted for each state and property age. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential ventilation and exhaust fan work. Commercial extraction systems, ducted air conditioning, and whole-house ventilation systems are not included.