A kitchen renovation is the single largest home improvement project most Australian homeowners will take on. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) puts the national median at roughly $35,000, but the real figure swings wildly depending on your kitchen size, material choices, whether you are moving plumbing or electrical, and which city you live in. This guide breaks down kitchen renovation cost in Australia by budget tier, itemised component, and capital city, so you can set a realistic budget before demolition day.
How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost? The Short Answer
The total kitchen renovation cost in Australia ranges from $15,000 to $100,000 or more. Here is how the three main budget tiers compare for a standard kitchen of roughly 10 to 15 square metres.
| Budget Tier | Total Cost Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $15,000–$25,000 | Flat-pack or stock cabinetry, laminate benchtops, basic appliances, existing layout retained, painted splashback, vinyl or tile flooring. |
| Mid-range | $25,000–$50,000 | Semi-custom or custom cabinetry, stone or porcelain benchtops, quality branded appliances, tile splashback, new flooring, updated lighting. Minor layout changes. |
| Premium | $50,000–$100,000+ | Bespoke joinery, natural stone or sintered-stone benchtops, integrated premium appliances, structural changes, butler’s pantry, designer lighting and finishes throughout. |
A budget renovation keeps your existing layout and focuses on refreshing surfaces and fixtures. A mid-range project is the most common scope and delivers a full strip-out and rebuild with quality finishes. A premium renovation involves structural work, high-end materials, and custom design.
Factors That Affect Kitchen Renovation Cost
Every kitchen project is different. These eight factors drive the biggest price variations.
1. Kitchen Size
A galley kitchen of 6 to 8 square metres requires less cabinetry, fewer tiles, and less benchtop material than a 20-square-metre open-plan kitchen. Material and labour costs scale roughly in proportion to floor area and linear metres of cabinetry.
2. Cabinetry Quality
Cabinetry is the largest single line item, typically accounting for 30 to 45 percent of total kitchen renovation cost. Flat-pack cabinets (Kaboodle, IKEA) cost $3,000 to $8,000 in materials. Semi-custom cabinets run $8,000 to $15,000. Fully bespoke joinery ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Find a licensed carpenter on TradieVerify if you need custom cabinetry installed.
3. Benchtop Material
Benchtop pricing varies dramatically by material. Laminate costs $120 to $350 per square metre installed. Porcelain and sintered stone run $700 to $1,800 per square metre. Natural stone (marble, granite) ranges from $800 to $2,000 or more per square metre. Note that engineered stone containing high crystalline silica was banned in Australia from 1 July 2024 under Safe Work Australia regulations. Compliant alternatives include porcelain slab, sintered stone, natural stone, solid timber, and low-silica engineered products.
4. Appliance Package
A basic appliance package (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher) from brands like Westinghouse or Chef costs $3,000 to $5,000. Mid-range brands (Bosch, Fisher & Paykel) run $5,000 to $12,000. Premium integrated appliances (Miele, Gaggenau) push the bill to $12,000 to $25,000 or more. Switching from gas to induction may require a switchboard upgrade costing $1,500 to $3,500.
5. Layout Changes
Keeping your existing plumbing and electrical in the same positions saves thousands. Moving the sink, relocating gas lines, or adding an island with plumbing can add $3,000 to $10,000 in additional plumbing and electrical work. Removing a wall to create an open-plan layout costs $1,000 to $3,000 for a non-load-bearing wall, or $5,000 to $15,000 for a load-bearing wall (including structural engineer fees and temporary supports).
6. Your Location
Sydney and Melbourne kitchen renovations cost 10 to 20 percent more than the national average due to higher labour rates and material delivery costs. Darwin’s premium is driven by freight costs and limited tradesperson supply. Regional areas are typically 10 to 15 percent cheaper than the nearest capital city but may have longer lead times.
7. Plumbing and Electrical Scope
A like-for-like tap and sink replacement is a straightforward job. Upgrading to a boiling water tap, adding under-sink filtration, installing new LED downlights, under-cabinet lighting, and additional power points all add to the kitchen renovation cost. A licensed plumber charges $100 to $160 per hour, and a licensed electrician charges $95 to $140 per hour depending on your state.
8. Splashback Type
A painted splashback is the cheapest option at a few hundred dollars. Tiled splashbacks run $500 to $2,000 depending on tile choice. Glass splashbacks cost $380 to $650 per square metre installed. Natural stone slab splashbacks range from $500 to $1,500 per square metre.
Itemised Cost Breakdown by Component
Understanding where your money goes helps you decide where to invest and where to save. Here is a typical kitchen renovation cost breakdown for a mid-range project ($25,000–$50,000).
| Component | Cost Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry (supply and install) | $8,000–$20,000 | Semi-custom $8K–$15K. Custom joinery $15K–$30K+. Flat-pack materials only $3K–$8K plus $2K–$5K installation. |
| Benchtops (supply and install) | $2,500–$8,000 | Laminate $120–$350/m². Porcelain slab $700–$1,800/m². Natural stone $800–$2,000+/m². Average kitchen needs 3–5 linear metres. |
| Appliances | $5,000–$12,000 | Oven $800–$4,000. Cooktop $500–$3,500. Rangehood $400–$2,500. Dishwasher $700–$2,500. |
| Plumbing | $1,500–$6,000 | Like-for-like replacement $500–$1,500. Sink relocation $1,500–$4,000. Gas disconnection/reconnection $400–$1,200. |
| Electrical | $1,500–$5,000 | LED downlights and under-cabinet lighting $800–$2,500. New power points $500–$1,500. Switchboard upgrade $1,500–$3,500 (if needed). |
| Splashback | $500–$3,500 | Tiles $40–$120/m² materials plus $50–$90/m² labour. Glass $380–$650/m² installed. |
| Flooring | $1,000–$4,000 | Vinyl/LVP $40–$95/m². Tile $60–$150/m². Engineered timber $90–$180/m². Typical kitchen 10–15m². |
| Demolition and removal | $1,000–$3,500 | Strip-out of existing cabinetry, benchtops, flooring. Skip bin hire $300–$600. Asbestos testing $100–$600. |
| Painting | $600–$1,500 | Walls, ceiling, trim. Two coats. Professional painter rates $35–$60/hr. |
| Project management | $0–$4,000 | Builder coordination fee, typically 10–15% of project cost if used. |
Total mid-range estimate: $21,600–$67,500
Labour typically accounts for 40 to 50 percent of kitchen renovation cost in Australia. The remaining 50 to 60 percent covers materials, appliances, and disposal.
Regional Cost Comparison
Kitchen renovation cost varies across Australian capital cities. Here is how a mid-range full renovation compares.
| City | Typical Mid-Range Cost | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $35,000–$60,000 | 15–20% higher |
| Melbourne | $30,000–$50,000 | 10–15% higher |
| Brisbane | $27,000–$45,000 | Close to average |
| Perth | $25,000–$42,000 | Close to average |
| Adelaide | $23,000–$38,000 | 5–10% lower |
| Hobart | $22,000–$38,000 | 5–10% lower |
| Canberra | $30,000–$48,000 | 5–10% higher |
| Darwin | $32,000–$50,000 | 10–15% higher |
Sydney’s premium reflects higher labour rates, stricter council requirements, and strong demand for renovation tradies. Melbourne sits slightly below Sydney but above the national average. Darwin’s elevated costs stem from freight on materials and a smaller tradesperson pool. Canberra’s higher costs reflect ACT-specific licensing requirements and strong household incomes driving demand for quality finishes. Regional areas within each state are typically 10 to 15 percent cheaper than the capital city, though availability of specialist tradespeople like cabinet makers can affect scheduling.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
Getting the right price starts before you call a single tradesperson. Follow these steps.
Get at least three quotes. Three quotes from licensed tradies gives you a realistic price range and helps you identify outliers. If one quote is 40 percent below the others, investigate why before accepting it.
Provide a detailed brief. Give each tradesperson the same information: kitchen dimensions, what stays and what goes, appliance brands you are considering, benchtop material preference, and any known issues (asbestos, uneven floors, old wiring). Consistent briefs produce comparable quotes.
Ask for itemised quotes. A lump-sum quote of “$35,000 for a kitchen reno” tells you nothing. An itemised quote separates cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, plumbing, electrical, tiling, painting, and project management. This lets you compare line by line.
Confirm licensing. Every tradesperson working on your kitchen should hold the relevant state licence. Verify your plumber, electrician, builder, and carpenter on TradieVerify or the relevant state register before signing any contract.
Check insurance. Ask for copies of public liability insurance (minimum $5 million is standard) and workers compensation certificates if the contractor employs staff.
Hidden Costs and Exclusions
Budget blowouts happen when unexpected costs appear during the project. These hidden kitchen renovation costs catch homeowners off guard.
Asbestos. Kitchens built before 1990 may contain asbestos in backing boards, floor tiles, or adhesive. Testing costs $100 to $600. Removal costs $2,000 to $8,000 depending on the extent and must be done by a licensed asbestos removalist.
Structural issues. Water damage behind old cabinetry, termite damage in framing, or rotten subfloors are invisible until demolition begins. Repairs can add $1,500 to $8,000. A good builder will flag this risk during the quoting stage.
Switchboard upgrades. Older homes may not have sufficient electrical capacity for modern induction cooktops, ovens, and dishwashers running simultaneously. A switchboard upgrade costs $1,500 to $3,500 and is mandatory before new circuits can be installed.
Council approvals. Most like-for-like kitchen renovations do not need council approval. However, removing load-bearing walls, changing the building footprint, or modifying plumbing waste lines may require a building permit ($500–$2,000) or development application ($500–$2,500).
Temporary kitchen costs. A kitchen renovation takes six to twelve weeks. Living without a kitchen means more takeaway meals, microwave dinners, and potentially a temporary cooking setup. Families commonly spend an additional $2,000 to $5,000 on food during the renovation period.
Variations. Changes made after the contract is signed are charged as variations, often at a premium. Finalise your design, material selections, and appliance choices before work begins to avoid costly mid-project changes.
Disposal fees. Skip bin hire ($300–$600) and tip fees for old cabinetry, benchtops, and flooring are sometimes excluded from quotes. Asbestos disposal incurs additional regulated fees.
Tips to Save Money on Your Kitchen Renovation
Reducing kitchen renovation cost does not require cutting corners. These strategies deliver real savings.
Keep the existing layout. Moving plumbing and electrical is the single biggest cost driver after cabinetry. If your current sink, cooktop, and fridge positions work well, keep them.
Choose laminate or porcelain benchtops. Quality laminate at $120 to $350 per square metre looks excellent and lasts well. Porcelain slab benchtops offer a stone-like appearance at a lower price point than natural stone. The difference between laminate and natural stone across a standard kitchen is $3,000 to $8,000.
Consider flat-pack cabinetry. Products from Kaboodle (Bunnings) or IKEA cost $3,000 to $8,000 in materials compared to $15,000 to $30,000 for custom joinery. Combined with professional installation ($2,000 to $5,000), flat-pack delivers good results at a fraction of the price.
Supply your own appliances. Some contractors mark up appliances by 15 to 30 percent. Buying direct from a retailer or during end-of-financial-year sales can save $1,000 to $3,000. Confirm with your tradesperson first, as some will not warranty appliances they did not supply.
Do cosmetic work yourself. Painting walls, installing handles, fitting shelving, and assembling flat-pack units are tasks many homeowners can handle. Leave plumbing, electrical, gas, and structural work to licensed professionals.
Time your renovation. Kitchen renovators are busiest from September to March. Booking during winter (June to August) may get you better availability and potentially lower quotes from tradies filling their schedules.
State-Specific Considerations
Each Australian state and territory has its own licensing requirements that affect kitchen renovations.
New South Wales. Residential building work over $5,000 requires a licensed contractor. Plumbing and electrical work require separate licences regardless of value. Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) insurance is mandatory for projects over $20,000. Removing a load-bearing wall requires a building permit and structural engineer certification.
Victoria. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requires registration for plumbing and electrical work. Domestic building contracts over $10,000 must be in writing. Building permits may be required for structural changes. Gas disconnection and reconnection must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter.
Queensland. The QBCC requires a licence for any building work over $3,300 including labour and materials. Separate licences exist for plumbing, electrical, and gasfitting. The QBCC provides a dispute resolution process if issues arise during or after the renovation.
Western Australia. Building permits required for renovations over $20,000 in many local government areas. Painter licensing required for work over $1,000. Plumbing and electrical work must be carried out by licensed tradies regardless of value.
South Australia. Building work must be carried out by a licensed building work contractor. Plumbing and gas work require separate licences from the Office of the Technical Regulator.
Tasmania. Licensed building practitioners required for structural work. Plumbing and electrical work require separate occupational licences.
ACT. Building work over $12,000 requires a licensed builder. All plumbing, electrical, and gasfitting work requires licensed tradies. Search for licensed tradies on TradieVerify.
Northern Territory. Building work over $12,000 requires a registered building practitioner. Plumbing and electrical work require separate licences. Darwin renovations face additional scheduling considerations during the wet season (November to April).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A standard mid-range kitchen renovation takes six to twelve weeks from demolition to completion. The typical sequence runs: design finalisation (two to four weeks), demolition (one to two days), rough-in plumbing and electrical (one week), cabinetry installation (two to five days), benchtop templating and fabrication (one to two weeks), tiling and splashback (two to four days), appliance installation (one day), painting and touch-ups (two to three days), and final fix and clean (one day). Premium renovations involving structural changes or imported materials can stretch to sixteen weeks or longer.
Do I need council approval for a kitchen renovation?
Most like-for-like kitchen renovations (replacing cabinetry, benchtops, and appliances in the same positions) do not require council approval. You will need a building permit if you are removing a load-bearing wall, changing the building footprint, or making significant structural modifications. Plumbing and electrical work always requires licensed tradies who lodge compliance certificates with the relevant authority regardless of whether council approval is needed.
Is a kitchen renovation worth it for resale value?
A well-executed kitchen renovation typically returns 60 to 80 percent of its cost in added property value, according to Australian property valuation data. A mid-range renovation of $30,000 to $40,000 generally offers the best return on investment. Over-capitalising (spending more than 5 to 7 percent of your home’s value on the kitchen alone) reduces your return. Kitchens are consistently rated as the most important room by Australian property buyers.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is the single largest cost item, accounting for 30 to 45 percent of total kitchen renovation cost. Custom joinery alone can exceed $20,000. After cabinetry, appliances and benchtops are the next largest variable costs. Labour across all trades (plumber, electrician, carpenter, tiler, painter) collectively accounts for 40 to 50 percent of the total budget.
Can I renovate a kitchen for under $15,000?
Yes, but the scope will be limited. A sub-$15,000 kitchen renovation typically involves painting or wrapping existing cabinets, replacing doors and handles, installing a laminate benchtop over the existing one, upgrading the sink and tapware, adding a new splashback (tiles or paint), and replacing the rangehood. This is a cosmetic refresh that keeps the existing layout, cabinetry carcasses, flooring, and most appliances.
Should I hire a builder or manage trades myself?
A licensed builder adds 10 to 15 percent in project management fees but coordinates all trades, manages the schedule, handles variations, and takes contractual responsibility for the finished result. Managing trades yourself can save $3,000 to $6,000 on a mid-range renovation, but you take on the risk of scheduling conflicts, trade coordination issues, and resolving defects. For projects over $30,000 or those involving structural work, a builder is generally worth the cost.
Related Guides
- How to Hire a Licensed Plumber — Our plumber hiring guide
- How to Hire a Licensed Electrician — Our electrician hiring guide
- How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost? Full 2025–2026 Price Guide — Our bathroom renovation costs
Sources
- Housing Industry Association (HIA). Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation Report. hia.com.au
- QBCC. Licensing Requirements for Building Work. qbcc.qld.gov.au
- Victorian Building Authority. Registration and Licensing. vba.vic.gov.au
- NSW Fair Trading. Home Building Licences. fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
- Safe Work Australia. Engineered Stone Ban. safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- Master Builders Australia. Building Costs Guide 2025. masterbuilders.com.au
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Australian Consumer Law: Services. accc.gov.au
- Canstar. Average Kitchen Renovation Cost 2025. canstar.com.au