Quick answer: painting the outside of a house in Australia typically costs $35–$65 per m² of floor area, or about $5,300–$9,800 for a typical 150 m² single-storey home in good condition. Painting inside and out together costs around $60–$105 per m², roughly $9,000–$15,800 for the same home. Double storeys, heavy prep and coastal conditions push prices up.
This guide brings together our exterior painting, whole-house painting and fence painting guides. For an instant estimate, use our free painting cost calculator. Choosing colours? See our exterior house colours guide.
Exterior house painting cost by home size
Painters quote exteriors in several ways, but floor area is the easiest way to compare homes. Figures include paint, basic prep and labour for walls, eaves, fascias, trim, windows and doors in good condition.
| Home | Exterior only | Inside and out |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom house (≈90 m²) | $3,200–$5,900 | $5,400–$9,500 |
| 3-bedroom house (≈150 m²) | $5,300–$9,800 | $9,000–$15,800 |
| 4-bedroom house (≈220 m²) | $7,700–$14,300 | $13,200–$23,100 |
How condition and access change the price
Most of an exterior quote is labour, and much of that is prep. For a 150 m² home:
| Condition and access | Exterior, 3-bedroom house | vs good condition |
|---|---|---|
| Good condition / light prep | $5,300–$9,800 | — |
| Moderate patching and sanding | $6,300–$11,700 | +20% |
| Heavy prep or high walls | $7,300–$13,700 | +40% |
| Heavy prep + difficult access (e.g. two storeys) | $8,400–$15,600 | +60% |
Two-storey homes usually need scaffolding or elevated work platforms, which is why they often land in the top band even when the surfaces are sound.
Cost by surface
- Weatherboard and timber — the most prep: scraping, sanding, priming bare timber and filling gaps. Older timber homes often cost more than their size suggests.
- Render — cracks need sealing and patching; previously unpainted render needs a sealer coat.
- Brick — unpainted brick soaks up primer and paint; once painted, brick needs repainting for good, so think before painting it the first time.
- Fibre cement — generally paints well; older sheeting in pre-1990 homes may contain asbestos and must not be sanded or pressure-cleaned without testing.
Exterior painting cost by city
These apply our standard regional labour adjustments to the national figures.
| City | Per m² of floor | 3-bedroom house | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $39–$72 | $5,800–$10,700 | +10% |
| Darwin | $39–$72 | $5,800–$10,700 | +10% |
| Melbourne | $37–$68 | $5,500–$10,200 | +5% |
| Canberra | $37–$68 | $5,500–$10,200 | +5% |
| Brisbane | $35–$65 | $5,300–$9,800 | national average |
| Perth | $35–$65 | $5,300–$9,800 | national average |
| Gold Coast | $35–$65 | $5,300–$9,800 | national average |
| Adelaide | $33–$62 | $5,000–$9,300 | −5% |
| Hobart | $33–$62 | $5,000–$9,300 | −5% |
Local conditions to plan for
Sydney. Salt spray and strong UV within a few kilometres of the coast break paint down faster; high-build acrylics with mould inhibitors last longer there. Weatherboard homes in older suburbs need thorough prep and a stain-blocking primer on tannin-rich hardwoods.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Year-round UV, high humidity and summer storms cause chalking, fading and mildew, especially on shaded south walls. Queenslanders cost more to paint because of their height, fretwork and timber detail.
Melbourne and Geelong. Pre-1940s homes may have lead paint that must be handled safely. Coastal and bayside homes face salt air and strong winds, which call for coastal-rated paint and careful washing before painting.
Perth and Adelaide. Intense summer heat and UV fade dark colours quickly; lighter colours and quality UV-resistant paints last longer. Avoid painting in the middle of hot days, when paint dries too fast.
Canberra and Hobart. Cold mornings, frost and rain shorten the painting window; most painters prefer late spring to early autumn.
Painting inside and out at once
Booking interior and exterior together usually costs less than two separate jobs, because set-up, travel and project management are shared. For interior-only prices, see our interior painting cost guide; roofs are covered in our roof painting cost guide.
Fence painting cost
Professional fence painting is usually quoted per linear metre. Published 2026 cost guides put a standard timber paling fence at roughly $15–$35 per linear metre per side, so a 30 m fence costs around $450–$1,050 for one side. Doing both sides roughly doubles it. Staining is typically 10–20% cheaper than painting but needs redoing more often. Sydney and other high-cost areas sit at or above the top of the range.
- Clean and let timber dry first; new treated pine often needs weeks to weather before it takes paint or stain.
- Spraying is faster on long runs but needs careful masking of gardens, cars and neighbours’ property.
- Shared fences: talk to your neighbour before painting their side.
How long does exterior paint last?
A good exterior paint system on well-prepared surfaces typically lasts 7–10 years, longer with premium paints and lighter colours, and shorter on the coast or on sun-baked north and west walls.
How to save on exterior painting
- Repaint before it fails. Painting when the finish is just faded or chalky costs far less than stripping peeling paint.
- Keep the colour similar. Big colour changes can need an extra coat.
- Do the easy prep. Clearing plants back from walls and moving outdoor furniture saves labour time.
- Book outside the spring rush. Late autumn can be easier to schedule in milder climates.
- Get three itemised quotes. Compare prep, number of coats, paint brand and access equipment, not just the total.
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint the outside of a 3-bedroom house?
Around $5,300–$9,800 for a typical 150 m² single-storey home in good condition; more for double storeys, heavy prep or coastal locations.
How much does it cost to paint a whole house inside and out?
Roughly $60–$105 per m² of floor area, or about $9,000–$15,800 for a 150 m² home.
Can you paint a house exterior in winter?
Yes in milder climates, on dry days above about 10 °C, but short days and dew limit working hours. Paint needs dry conditions to cure.
Is it worth painting before selling?
A fresh exterior in neutral colours improves street appeal; focus on the front, fascias, trim and front door if the budget is tight.
Estimate your own home
Our free painting cost calculator gives an instant range for exterior, interior or whole-house painting by floor area, condition and city, using the same figures as this guide.