Quick answer: painting a roof in Australia typically costs $25–$45 per m² for a metal or Colorbond roof and $35–$55 per m² for concrete tiles. A full tile roof restoration, with repairs and repointing before coating, costs more: around $45–$85 per m². For a typical 150–200 m² house roof, that’s roughly $4,000–$11,000 to paint, or $7,000–$17,000 for a full restoration.
This guide brings together our roof painting guides by city and by roof type. Roof pricing varies more than most jobs, so treat these as budgeting ranges and get at least three written quotes. For colour advice, see our roof painting colours guide.
Roof painting cost by roof type
Roof area is larger than your home’s floor area once pitch and eaves are included; a typical single-storey three-bedroom house has around 150–200 m² of roof.
| Job | Per m² | 150 m² roof | 200 m² roof | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal / Colorbond — repaint | $25–$45 | $3,800–$6,800 | $5,000–$9,000 | Clean, treat any rust, prime bare spots, two topcoats. |
| Concrete tile — paint | $35–$55 | $5,300–$8,300 | $7,000–$11,000 | Pressure clean, minor repairs, sealer or primer, two to three coats. |
| Terracotta tile — coat | $40–$60 | $6,000–$9,000 | $8,000–$12,000 | Unglazed tiles only; clean, specialised primer and coating. |
| Tile roof — full restoration | $45–$85 | $6,800–$12,800 | $9,000–$17,000 | Replace broken tiles, rebed and repoint ridge caps, then seal and coat. |
Most of the difference between these jobs is preparation. A quote that looks cheap often skips repairs, rust treatment or the sealer coat, and those are what make a coating last.
Painting a metal or Colorbond roof
Metal roofs are the cheapest to paint per square metre because there’s no repointing or tile replacement. The work is: a thorough clean, treating any rust spots back to sound metal, priming bare or treated areas, then two topcoats of a roof paint made for metal. Rusted-through sheets, loose screws and failed flashings should be fixed first, as paint won’t fix them.
Older galvanised iron (“tin”) roofs usually need more rust treatment and priming than Colorbond, which pushes them to the upper end of the range. Painted Colorbond generally lasts well; repainting is mostly about restoring colour and appearance once the factory finish has faded or chalked.
Painting a tiled roof
Concrete tiles are the most commonly painted roofs in Australia. Over time the surface becomes porous and grows moss and lichen; cleaning, sealing and recoating restores both appearance and water resistance.
Terracotta tiles are a different story. Glazed terracotta generally shouldn’t be painted. Unglazed terracotta can be coated with a specialised product, but many owners simply clean and repair it instead.
Paint or restore? If ridge caps are loose, bedding is cracking or tiles are broken, a coating alone won’t stop leaks. A full restoration replaces broken tiles and rebeds and repoints the ridges before coating, which is why it costs more but adds more years to the roof.
Roof painting cost by city
These apply our standard regional labour adjustments to the national per-m² ranges.
| City | Metal / Colorbond | Concrete tile | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $28–$50 | $39–$61 | +10% |
| Darwin | $28–$50 | $39–$61 | +10% |
| Melbourne | $26–$47 | $37–$58 | +5% |
| Canberra | $26–$47 | $37–$58 | +5% |
| Brisbane | $25–$45 | $35–$55 | national average |
| Perth | $25–$45 | $35–$55 | national average |
| Gold Coast | $25–$45 | $35–$55 | national average |
| Adelaide | $24–$43 | $33–$52 | −5% |
| Hobart | $24–$43 | $33–$52 | −5% |
Local conditions to plan for
Coastal areas (Sydney beaches, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Geelong’s coast): salt air accelerates corrosion on metal roofs and fixings, so rust treatment and coatings rated for coastal exposure matter more.
Hot, sunny cities (Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin): strong UV fades coatings faster. Light-coloured and heat-reflective roof paints can noticeably reduce heat gain.
Cooler, wetter cities (Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra): moss and lichen build up faster on tiles, and rain and frost limit the painting window, so jobs can take longer to schedule.
Storm seasons (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin): roofers book up around the wet season; plan work for the drier months.
What affects the price
- Roof size and pitch — steep roofs need more safety equipment and slow the work.
- Height and access — two-storey homes and tight sites may need scaffolding or edge protection.
- Condition — rust, broken tiles, cracked bedding and heavy moss all add prep time.
- Coating system — premium or heat-reflective coatings cost more but can last longer.
- Extras — gutters, fascias, valleys and flashings are often quoted separately.
Safety and asbestos
Roof work is high-risk work. Professionals must use fall protection, and it’s the main reason roof painting is rarely a good DIY job. If your home was built before 1990 and has a corrugated fibro (asbestos cement) roof, it must never be pressure-cleaned, sanded or walked on without specialist advice; get it assessed by a licensed asbestos professional before any work.
How long does roof painting take?
A typical metal roof repaint takes two to four days; a tile restoration takes three to six days. Rain, dew and wind can stretch this, as coatings need dry conditions to cure.
Is roof painting worth it?
Painting makes sense when the roof is structurally sound but faded, chalky, porous or lightly rusted. It improves appearance, can reduce heat gain with lighter colours, and helps before selling. It isn’t a fix for rusted-through sheets, sagging structure or widespread broken tiles; those need repair or replacement first. For walls and trim, see our exterior house painting guide.
Choosing a roof painter
- Get three written quotes that list prep, repairs, number of coats and the coating product.
- Ask what’s included for safety (edge protection or scaffolding) and clean-up.
- Check licensing and insurance; requirements vary by state, and larger jobs usually need a licensed contractor.
- Ask about the workmanship warranty and the coating manufacturer’s warranty, and get both in writing.
- Be wary of door-knockers offering on-the-spot discounts.
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a roof in Australia?
Typically $25–$45 per m² for metal and $35–$55 per m² for concrete tiles, or roughly $4,000–$11,000 for an average house roof.
How much is a full roof restoration?
Around $45–$85 per m², or roughly $7,000–$17,000 for a typical 150–200 m² tile roof, depending on repairs.
How long does roof paint last?
A good coating system on a well-prepared roof generally lasts 10–15 years, depending on the product, colour and exposure.
Can you paint a Colorbond roof?
Yes. It needs cleaning, treatment of any damage and a paint made for metal roofs.
Can I paint my roof myself?
It’s not recommended. Working at heights is dangerous, and pressure cleaning and spraying need proper equipment. DIY can also void coating warranties.
How we estimate: there’s no single official price list for roof painting, so these ranges combine 2026 cost guides published by Australian quote-comparison services, cross-checked against each other, with our standard regional adjustments. Your quote will depend on your roof’s size, condition and access.