Find Verified Painters Across Australia
Use this TradeRefer painting hub to compare interior and exterior painting costs across Australian cities, understand licensing requirements, and connect with verified local painters who deliver quality finishes.
Painting Cost Guide Australia
Painting costs depend on surface area, number of storeys, surface condition, and paint quality. Use these benchmarks before requesting quotes.
Typical Hourly Rate
$40–$70
/hr
Full Interior (3-bed)
$3.5k–$8k
labour only
Full Exterior (3-bed)
$4k–$14k
single-to-double storey
| City | Hourly Rate | Day Rate | Interior (room) | Exterior (house) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $50–$80/hr | $400–$640 | $800–$1,800 | $5,000–$14,000 |
| Melbourne | $45–$75/hr | $360–$600 | $750–$1,600 | $4,500–$12,000 |
| Brisbane | $45–$70/hr | $360–$560 | $700–$1,500 | $4,000–$11,000 |
| Perth | $50–$80/hr | $400–$640 | $800–$1,800 | $5,000–$13,000 |
| Adelaide | $40–$65/hr | $320–$520 | $650–$1,400 | $3,800–$10,000 |
| Canberra | $50–$80/hr | $400–$640 | $800–$1,800 | $5,000–$13,000 |
| Hobart | $45–$75/hr | $360–$600 | $700–$1,600 | $4,500–$11,000 |
| Darwin | $55–$85/hr | $440–$680 | $900–$2,000 | $5,500–$14,000 |
Common Painting Job Costs
Painting Services We Cover
TradeRefer's painting hub covers residential and commercial painting across interior, exterior, and specialist finishes.
Before You Hire a Painter
Use these checks to avoid poor preparation, skipped coats, and uninsured operators.
Check QLD licensing for residential painting
In Queensland, painting work over $3,300 requires a QBCC Painting Licence. In all other states, painting is largely unlicensed — but always confirm the painter carries current public liability insurance of at least $5–10 million.
Insist on a written quote including preparation
Preparation (filling holes, sugar-soap wash, sanding, priming) is the most critical step and the most commonly excluded from cheap quotes. A good quote should break out prep, materials, and labour separately.
Agree on coats and sheen level upfront
Two coats is standard for most surfaces. Using budget-tier or thinned paint, or skipping the primer, are common ways to reduce visible cost while lowering quality. Always specify the brand and sheen level (flat, low-sheen, semi-gloss) in your quote.
Review photos of their recent work
Painting finish is highly visible — ask for recent job photos or addresses you can inspect. Look for straight edges, consistent finish, and no visible brush marks or roller texture. Online reviews that mention cut-in quality are reliable indicators.
Find Painters by City
Browse the major Australian cities where TradeRefer has painting businesses listed, then drill into suburb-level pages from there.
Get 3 Free Painting Quotes
Request your painting quotes here and we'll match your job with up to 3 verified local painting businesses.
Painting Licensing Requirements by State
Painting is largely unlicensed in most Australian states — but QLD requires a QBCC Painting Licence for work over $3,300. Always verify insurance regardless of state.
VIC
In Victoria, painting does not require a trade licence for residential work. Painting that forms part of a domestic building contract over $10,000 requires the principal contractor to be a registered building practitioner.
NSW
In NSW, painting contractors are not required to hold a trade licence for most residential work. Home building work over $20,000 requires a contractor licence.
QLD
In Queensland, painting over $3,300 in value requires a QBCC licence under the Painting trade category.
WA
In WA, painting does not require a specific trade licence. For home improvement work over the threshold, building services registration applies.
SA
In SA, painting does not require a specific trade licence. Licensed builders should oversee painting as part of a larger building contract.
TAS
In Tasmania, painting contractors are not required to hold a specific trade licence for most work.
ACT
In the ACT, painting does not require a separate trade licence. Work forming part of a larger building contract requires appropriate building licensing.
NT
In the NT, painting does not require a specific trade licence. All work must comply with relevant safety and environmental regulations.
Verified painting businesses
TradeRefer helps homeowners find ABN-verified painting contractors instead of relying on gumtree ads or solo operators with no verifiable track record.
Compare costs before you call
Use this hub to understand typical painting rates across Australian cities before requesting quotes — so you can spot underprepared or overpriced proposals straight away.
Australia-wide local discovery
Move from this national painting guide into city and suburb-level pages to find verified painters in the specific area where your property is located.
Painting: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint a house in Australia?
Interior painting of a standard 3-bedroom home typically costs $3,500–$8,000. Exterior painting ranges from $4,000–$12,000 depending on size, storeys, and surface condition. Rates are $40–$70/hr for labour.
How many coats of paint are needed?
Most surfaces need at least 2 coats for full coverage. Over dark colours or bare surfaces, a primer coat plus 2 topcoats is standard. Skipping coats to save money often results in patchy coverage and early failure.
What is the best time of year to paint the exterior of a house in Australia?
Spring and autumn are ideal — avoid extreme heat (over 35°C) which causes paint to dry too fast and blister, and don't paint in the rain or direct frost. In tropical/coastal areas, avoid the wet season for exterior work.
Do painters clean up after themselves?
Reputable painters will cover furniture, protect floors, remove outlet covers, and clean up all materials, drop sheets, and paint cans. Always confirm this is included in your quote.
What's the difference between acrylic and oil-based paint?
Acrylic (water-based) paint dries faster, has less odour, and is the standard for most interior and exterior use. Oil-based paints are more durable and provide a harder finish, commonly used for trims, doors, and cabinetry.
How do I prepare walls before painting?
Fill holes and cracks, sand smooth, clean with sugar soap, and apply primer on bare surfaces or stained areas. Professional painters include preparation in their quote — don't skip this step as paint adheres poorly to dirty or unprimed surfaces.
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