Quick answer: a kitchen renovation in Australia costs about $10,000–$25,000 for a budget flat-pack kitchen, $25,000–$45,000 for a standard renovation with custom cabinetry and stone benchtops, and $45,000–$80,000 for premium finishes and appliances. Luxury designer kitchens run from $75,000 to $130,000 or more. Sydney and Darwin sit about 10% above these figures; Adelaide and Hobart about 5% below.
This guide brings together our city-by-city, estimate, small-kitchen and custom-kitchen guides into one place. For a figure matched to your kitchen, use our free kitchen renovation cost calculator. If you’re working to a tight budget, see our low-cost kitchen renovation guide.
Kitchen renovation cost by level
Cabinetry, benchtops and appliances drive most of the difference between levels. Figures are for a medium kitchen with the same layout, including cabinetry, benchtops, splashback, basic appliances, plumbing, electrical and labour.
| Renovation level | Typical cost | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget — flat-pack, laminate | $10,000–$25,000 | Flat-pack or semi-custom cabinets, laminate benchtops, entry-level appliances, same layout. |
| Standard — custom cabinetry, stone | $25,000–$45,000 | Custom or semi-custom cabinetry, engineered-stone benchtops, tiled or glass splashback, mid-range appliances. |
| Premium — high-end appliances | $45,000–$80,000 | Premium joinery, natural or thick stone, integrated and European appliances, feature lighting. |
| Luxury — designer / butler’s pantry | $75,000–$130,000+ | Designer-led kitchens with butler’s pantry, bespoke joinery, top-tier appliances and layout changes. |
“Average”, “typical” and “full” kitchen renovation quotes usually sit in the standard band. Premium appliance upgrades, new flooring, structural engineering and permits are extra.
Cost by kitchen size
Standard-level figures. Galley kitchens save less than you might expect because appliances, plumbing and electrical work cost the same regardless of size.
| Kitchen size | Standard renovation | vs medium |
|---|---|---|
| Small / galley | $21,000–$38,000 | −15% |
| Medium | $25,000–$45,000 | — |
| Large | $31,000–$56,000 | +25% |
| Large with island | $36,000–$65,000 | +45% |
Keeping or changing the layout
Moving the sink, cooktop or dishwasher means new plumbing, gas and electrical runs; removing a wall adds structural work and usually approvals. Standard-level, medium kitchen:
| Layout | Standard renovation | vs same layout |
|---|---|---|
| Same layout (like-for-like) | $25,000–$45,000 | — |
| Minor plumbing or electrical moves | $28,500–$51,500 | +15% |
| Major change or wall removal | $35,000–$63,000 | +40% |
Kitchen renovation cost by city
The table applies each city’s labour adjustment to the national ranges for a medium kitchen with the same layout.
| City | Budget | Standard | Premium | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $11,000–$27,500 | $27,500–$49,500 | $49,500–$88,000 | +10% |
| Darwin | $11,000–$27,500 | $27,500–$49,500 | $49,500–$88,000 | +10% |
| Melbourne | $10,500–$26,000 | $26,000–$47,000 | $47,000–$84,000 | +5% |
| Canberra | $10,500–$26,000 | $26,000–$47,000 | $47,000–$84,000 | +5% |
| Brisbane | $10,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$80,000 | national average |
| Perth | $10,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$80,000 | national average |
| Gold Coast | $10,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$80,000 | national average |
| Adelaide | $9,500–$24,000 | $24,000–$43,000 | $43,000–$76,000 | −5% |
| Hobart | $9,500–$24,000 | $24,000–$43,000 | $43,000–$76,000 | −5% |
What’s different in each city
Sydney. Pre-1987 homes in the inner west often need asbestos testing before demolition. Apartment renovations can attract building-management fees and strict work hours, and tight terrace access adds labour. In heritage conservation areas, moving a window or adding external rangehood venting can trigger a development application.
Melbourne. Heritage overlays cover much of the inner city, so external changes such as new windows need a planning permit. Opening a Victorian or Edwardian galley kitchen to the living area usually means removing a load-bearing wall, with an engineer’s report and steel beam. Switching between gas and electric cooking needs new supply lines.
Brisbane. High-set Queenslanders can need hoists or scaffolding to get cabinets upstairs. Homes built before 1990 often contain asbestos. Relocating the sink or stove, removing walls or adding windows usually needs building approval through council or a private certifier.
Perth. Hot summers make an externally ducted rangehood worth the cost. Heritage areas such as Subiaco, Mount Lawley and Fremantle may need development approval for structural or external work. Coastal suburbs need marine-grade hardware, and hills properties with a bushfire rating may limit material choices.
Adelaide. Hard water wears tapware and dishwashers faster, so ceramic-disc mixer taps are worth the extra spend. Older homes often need rangehood ducting added. Inner-ring and hills suburbs tend to quote above the western and southern suburbs.
Canberra. Cold, dry winters mean timber benchtops and floors need good sealing. Many Tuggeranong and Woden homes are pre-1985 and may contain asbestos. Structural and external changes need approval through the ACT planning authority.
Gold Coast. Year-round humidity makes an externally ducted rangehood essential and favours moisture-resistant cabinet board over standard MDF.
Hobart and Darwin. Freight adds to cabinetry, stone and appliance costs in Hobart, while Darwin’s higher labour and material costs put it alongside Sydney.
Where the money goes
- Cabinetry — usually the largest single cost. Flat-pack is cheapest; custom joinery costs the most.
- Benchtops — laminate is the budget option; engineered stone, natural stone and porcelain cost considerably more.
- Appliances — entry-level versus premium European brands can swing the budget by tens of thousands.
- Labour and trades — cabinet installation, plumbing, electrical, gas fitting, tiling and project management.
- Splashback, sink and tapware — tiles, glass or stone; sink and mixer quality varies widely.
- Lighting and electrical — new circuits, power points, downlights and under-cabinet lighting.
Hidden costs to budget for
- Asbestos — common in homes built before 1990; testing first, licensed removal if found.
- Structural work — removing a load-bearing wall needs an engineer and often a steel beam.
- Approvals — external changes, wall removal or heritage areas can need a permit or development application.
- Flooring and making good — new cabinets rarely match the old floor footprint.
- Access — apartments, high-set homes and tight terraces add handling time and fees.
- Contingency — keep 10–15% aside for surprises behind the old cabinets.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Most kitchen renovations take four to eight weeks on site once cabinetry is ready. Custom cabinetry and stone benchtops add lead time before work starts, because stone is templated after the cabinets are installed.
Do you need council approval?
Replacing cabinets, benchtops and appliances within the existing footprint usually doesn’t need council approval. Removing or altering load-bearing walls, adding or moving windows, changing external venting, or working on a heritage-listed property or in a heritage area can trigger permits. Gas, electrical and plumbing work must be done by licensed trades, who issue compliance certificates.
FAQ
What is the average cost of a kitchen renovation in Australia?
Most standard kitchen renovations cost $25,000–$45,000 for a medium kitchen with custom cabinetry and stone benchtops. Budget flat-pack kitchens start around $10,000.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Custom cabinetry usually tops the list, followed by stone benchtops and premium appliances. Changing the layout is the biggest avoidable cost.
How much does a kitchen island add?
A large kitchen with an island typically costs around 45% more than a medium kitchen at the same finish level, because of the extra cabinetry, benchtop and services.
Can I renovate a kitchen for under $20,000?
Yes, with flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtops and the existing layout and appliances. Our low-cost kitchen renovation guide covers how.
How much does a custom kitchen cost?
A kitchen with custom cabinetry and engineered-stone benchtops usually falls in the standard band, $25,000–$45,000 for a medium kitchen; premium joinery, natural stone and high-end appliances take it to $45,000–$80,000.
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost?
A small or galley kitchen costs about 15% less than a medium one at the same finish level: roughly $21,000–$38,000 for a standard renovation with custom cabinetry and stone benchtops.
Estimate your own kitchen
Our free kitchen renovation cost calculator gives an instant range for your kitchen size, finish level, layout and city, using the same figures as this guide. Always get itemised written quotes before committing.