Quick Answer
How much does tiling cost in Australia? The average cost is $45-$120 per square metre plus tile supply.
Australia 2026
Tiling Prices
Real pricing data for every tiling service in Australia. From bathroom floor and wall tiling to kitchen splashbacks, outdoor tiles, and feature walls — know what you should pay.
Compare Prices in Your Area →Tiling in Australia costs $30–$130 on average in 2026.
Based on 60 verified prices across 30 cities.
Tiling Prices by Country
Compare tiling costs across 5 countries. Click a country for detailed pricing.
Tiling Prices by Service
National average prices — supply and installation
| Service | From | Average | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Floor Tiling Supply & install ceramic/porcelain tiles to bathroom floor | $65/m² | $85/m² | $120/m² |
| Bathroom Wall Tiling Supply & install wall tiles including waterproofing prep | $70/m² | $95/m² | $130/m² |
| Kitchen Splashback Supply & install tiled kitchen splashback | $800/job | $1400/job | $2500/job |
| Standard Floor Tiling Ceramic/porcelain floor tiles supply & install | $55/m² | $75/m² | $110/m² |
| Large Format Floor Tiling 600x600mm+ tile supply & install | $70/m² | $100/m² | $140/m² |
| Outdoor/Patio Tiling Non-slip outdoor tiles supply & install | $60/m² | $90/m² | $130/m² |
| Pool Tiling Pool interior or waterline tile supply & install | $120/m² | $180/m² | $280/m² |
| Tile Removal Remove existing tiles and dispose | $25/m² | $40/m² | $60/m² |
| Tile Repair/Replacement Replace cracked or damaged individual tiles | $150/job | $250/job | $400/job |
| Waterproofing Membrane Waterproofing membrane under tiles (wet areas) | $40/m² | $55/m² | $80/m² |
| Underfloor Heating Electric underfloor heating mat under tiles | $100/m² | $140/m² | $200/m² |
| Feature/Mosaic Wall Decorative mosaic or feature tile wall | $120/m² | $190/m² | $300/m² |
Based on 12 data points from verified tiling professionals. All prices AUD including GST. Last updated March 2026.
Bathroom Floor vs Wall Tiling
Wall tiling typically costs more per square metre than floor tiling due to the additional preparation required — including waterproofing, battening, and the difficulty of working vertically. For a full bathroom renovation, expect to budget for both floor and wall tiles, plus waterproofing membrane underneath.
Bathroom Floor Tiling
$65–$120/m²
Supply & install ceramic/porcelain floor tiles, including adhesive and grouting
Bathroom Wall Tiling
$70–$130/m²
Supply & install wall tiles with waterproofing prep, adhesive, and grouting
Tiling Prices by State
Prices vary by location. Click a state for detailed city-level pricing.
Tiling Price Trends (2024–2026)
Year-over-year average cost comparison
| Service | 2024 Avg | 2025 Avg | 2026 Avg | 2-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Tiling (per m²) | $55 | $60 | $65 | +18.2% |
| Bathroom Tiling (full) | $3,200 | $3,500 | $3,800 | +18.8% |
| Splashback Tiling | $600 | $650 | $700 | +16.7% |
Seasonal Patterns
Tiling demand peaks during spring and autumn renovation seasons. Bathroom renovations are busiest September–November as homeowners prepare before Christmas. Winter is quieter — tilers may offer better rates. Large-format tiles are trending but require specialist installers, tightening supply.
Regional Differences
Sydney tiling costs are 15–20% above national average due to high demand and labour costs. Melbourne is 10% above. Material costs (imported porcelain, natural stone) rose 10% nationally. Adelaide and Brisbane offer the best value, with Perth slightly above average.
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Common Tiling Jobs and Typical Pricing
| Job | Typical scope | Typical price | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retile small bathroom floor | Remove old floor tiles, prepare substrate and lay porcelain floor tiles | $1,500-$3,200 | 2-4 days |
| Full bathroom floor and wall tiling | Floor tiling, wall tiling and grout to a standard family bathroom | $4,500-$9,500 | 5-8 days |
| Kitchen splashback install | Tile splashback between benchtop and overhead cabinets | $900-$2,400 | 1-2 days |
| Standard living area floor tiling | Supply and lay floor tiles to open-plan area | $55-$110/m² | 2-5 days |
| Large format floor tiling | Rectified 600x600mm or larger tiles with levelling system | $75-$140/m² | 2-6 days |
| Outdoor patio tiling | Non-slip exterior tiles with falls and edge trims | $65-$130/m² | 3-6 days |
| Pool surrounds tiling | Slip-resistant tiling to pool coping surrounds and wet barefoot traffic zones | $85-$160/m² | 3-7 days |
| Laundry floor and skirting tiling | Small wet-area floor tiling with skirting tiles and movement joints | $1,200-$2,800 | 1-3 days |
| Entryway feature tiling | High-traffic front entry floor tiling with trims and threshold detail | $900-$2,200 | 1-3 days |
| Waterproof and retile shower recess | Strip shower area, apply membrane and retile | $2,500-$5,500 | 4-7 days |
| Repair and re-grouting | Replace failed grout, reseal joints and swap damaged tiles where possible | $450-$1,800 | Half day-2 days |
| Waterproofing plus tiling to wet area | Prime, membrane, set tiles, grout and seal in bathroom or laundry | $120-$220/m² | 3-6 days |
| Heated floor tiling package | Install electric underfloor heating, sensor and tiled bathroom floor finish | $1,800-$4,500 | 2-4 days |
| Feature mosaic wall | Decorative mosaic or kit-kat tile wall installation | $140-$320/m² | 1-3 days |
| Tile removal only | Lift tiles, remove adhesive residue and dispose of waste | $25-$60/m² | 1-3 days |
| Underfloor heating under bathroom tiles | Install heating mat before floor tiling | $110-$210/m² | Adds 0.5-1 day |
What Affects Tiling Price?
Tile type, size and finish
Large-format, rectified, porcelain, natural stone and patterned tiles take longer to set accurately than basic ceramic floor tiles. Mosaic sheets and feature patterns also increase cutting time.
Area size and room layout
Very small bathrooms often have a higher effective rate per square metre because setup, cutting and trim work are concentrated into a tight footprint. Open-plan floors usually price more efficiently.
Subfloor and wall condition
A cheap tiling quote usually assumes the floor or wall is already flat, solid and ready to tile. Levelling compounds, fibre cement sheeting, old adhesive removal and crack repair can add materially to the final cost.
Pattern complexity
Straight lay is usually the cheapest layout. Herringbone, stack bond with offset restrictions, mitred corners and feature inlays add marking, cuts and alignment time.
Wet-area waterproofing
Bathrooms, laundries and balconies need compliant waterproofing, set-downs or trims in many situations. Waterproofing and cure time are often the reason bathroom jobs cost more than dry-area tiling.
Access, furniture and occupied homes
Small rooms, apartment access, occupied kitchens and properties where appliances must be moved all slow the job down compared with an empty new-build site.
Tile supply, wastage and trim selection
Stone, imported porcelain and premium trims change the supply cost quickly. Allowing for cuts, breakage and spare boxes is important on patterned or discontinued tile ranges.
Grout, silicone and finishing detail
Epoxy grout, colour-matched silicone and premium trim finishes look better and last longer, but they can add meaningfully to both materials and labour pricing.
Included vs Extra
Usually included
- Standard labour to set, grout and clean finished tiles
- Basic adhesive and grout specified in the written quote
- Normal straight cuts around edges and standard trim allowances
- Site cleanup of everyday tiling debris
- GST on residential Australian quotes unless stated otherwise
Often extra
- Tile removal, substrate grinding and rubbish disposal
- Waterproofing membranes, primers and compliance documentation
- Levelling compounds, screeding or wall straightening
- Premium trims, epoxy grout or stone sealing
- Moving cabinetry, appliances, toilets or shower screens
DIY vs Professional
| Task | DIY | Pro cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove splashback tiles | Possible if you protect benchtops and power points carefully | $250-$800 | DIY for confident renovators |
| Lay basic laundry or small floor tiles | Possible, but layout and lippage issues are common | $55-$120/m² labour component | DIY only on low-risk rooms |
| Tile a shower or bathroom walls | Waterproofing, falls and movement joints are common failure points | $2,500-$7,000+ | Use a professional |
| Regrout or reseal silicone joints | Often manageable with patience and correct products | $250-$900 | DIY can work |
How to Save Money on Tiling
Pick the tile before requesting quotes
Tilers can price accurately only when they know the exact tile size, thickness and pattern. Swapping to a harder tile later often leads to a variation.
Retile multiple adjacent areas at once
Doing the laundry, powder room and bathroom in one campaign usually reduces mobilisation and cleanup costs.
Use simpler layouts where appearance matters less
Straight lay patterns are cheaper than herringbone, stack bond with tiny joins or mosaic-heavy designs.
Confirm what prep is included
The cheapest quote often excludes levelling, waterproofing repairs or trim upgrades. Good scope definition saves more than chasing a small upfront discount.
Order extra tiles from the same batch
Buying a few spare boxes now is cheaper than trying to source a discontinued batch later if a repair is needed.
Protect new tiles during the rest of the renovation
Chipped corners and grout staining from other trades create rework that is usually not in the tiler’s original price.
Seasonal Guide
Summer
Renovation activity is high and wet-area jobs need careful curing in hot weather. Book early if you want completion before Christmas.
Autumn
A strong time for indoor tiling because conditions are stable and suppliers are usually back to normal lead times.
Winter
Interior tiling can continue year round, but balconies and exterior areas may face delays from rain and lower cure temperatures.
Spring
Builders and renovators ramp up at once, so bathroom tilers and waterproofers become harder to book.
City-Specific Context
Sydney
Apartment tiling often costs more because of access rules, noise restrictions, lift bookings and smaller working windows. Strata access and parking can shift a simple bathroom quote noticeably.
Melbourne
Bathroom renovations are a major driver of tiling demand, and waterproofing scope often decides whether a quote looks cheap or realistic. Cooler weather can also slow balcony and exterior sequencing.
Brisbane
Outdoor and poolside tiling is common, so slip resistance, heat performance and stormwater falls matter more than in cooler markets. Exterior tilers with pool-area experience often price higher for good reason.
Perth
Large-format porcelain remains popular in new builds and can be competitively priced where the installer is set up for it.
How Room Size Changes the Quote
Area size matters in tiling, but not in a straight-line way. The smallest rooms often have the highest effective rate per square metre because they are heavy on cuts, trims, waterproofing detail and awkward access. Large rooms become more efficient only if the substrate is flat and the layout is simple enough for the crew to keep moving.
Small room under 6m²
Expect a higher per-metre rate because setting out, trimming and movement-joint detailing still take time even though the area is small.
Standard bathroom 6-10m²
This is where most bathroom floor and wall tiling pricing benchmarks are set, especially when waterproofing and shower detailing are part of the same package.
Medium open area 10-30m²
Labour tends to become more efficient, but transitions, thresholds and furniture handling still affect the quote.
Large open-plan area 30m²+
Rates can improve if the substrate is flat and the layout is simple, but premium levelling systems and large-format tiles can offset that saving.
What to Ask Before You Hire a Tiler
Who handles waterproofing?
On wet-area jobs, clarify whether the tiler, a separate waterproofer or the builder is responsible for the membrane and compliance paperwork.
What prep is assumed?
Ask whether levelling, old adhesive removal, substrate repair and trim supply are included or will be variation items later.
How much tile wastage should I order?
Complex layouts, herringbone patterns and large-format tiles often require more wastage than a simple straight lay.
When can other trades walk on the area?
Knowing the cure time for adhesive, grout and silicone helps avoid damage from plumbers, cabinet installers or painters returning too soon.
Get Free Quotes in Your Area
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Get Free Quotes in Your Area →Common Questions
How much does tiling cost per square metre in Australia?
Tiling costs in Australia typically range from $55 to $140 per square metre for standard floor tiling (supply and install), with a national average of around $75–$100/m². Bathroom floor tiling averages $85/m² while wall tiling is slightly higher at $95/m² due to waterproofing preparation. Large format tiles (600x600mm+) cost $70–$140/m² as they require more skill and specialised equipment. Outdoor tiling runs $60–$130/m² with non-slip finishes. Prices vary significantly by location — Sydney and Perth are 5–10% above the national average, while Brisbane and regional areas are often 5–10% below. Always get at least 3 quotes from licensed tilers and check their previous work.
Should I tile over existing tiles?
Tiling over existing tiles is possible in some situations but not always recommended. It can save on removal costs ($25–$60/m²) and reduce mess and time. However, it adds height to the floor which can cause issues with door clearances, transitions to other rooms, and shower screen fitment. The existing tiles must be firmly bonded, level, and in good condition. In wet areas (bathrooms, laundries), tiling over existing tiles is generally not recommended as the waterproofing membrane beneath may be compromised or past its lifespan. Most professional tilers recommend full removal and fresh waterproofing for bathrooms — it costs more upfront but ensures a long-lasting, compliant result.
What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are both made from clay but differ in density and water absorption. Porcelain tiles are fired at higher temperatures, making them denser, harder, and less porous (water absorption below 0.5%). This makes porcelain ideal for wet areas, outdoor use, and high-traffic zones. Ceramic tiles are softer, easier to cut, and generally cheaper — they work well for indoor walls and light-traffic floors. Porcelain typically costs 10–30% more than ceramic for the tile itself, though installation costs are similar. For Australian conditions with extreme heat and UV, porcelain is the better choice for outdoor areas as it resists fading and thermal expansion better than ceramic.
Do I need waterproofing under my tiles?
Yes — waterproofing is mandatory under tiles in all wet areas in Australia under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian Standard AS 3740. This includes bathrooms, showers, laundries, and any area with a floor waste. Waterproofing membrane must be applied by a licensed waterproofer in most states, and the work must be inspected before tiling can begin. The cost for waterproofing membrane is typically $40–$80/m². Skipping or cutting corners on waterproofing is one of the most expensive mistakes in home renovation — water damage from failed waterproofing can cost $10,000–$50,000+ to repair. Always insist on a waterproofing certificate from your tiler or waterproofer.
How long does a tiling job take?
A typical bathroom floor tiling job (4–6m²) takes 1–2 days including preparation, laying, and grouting. A full bathroom retile (floor and walls, 15–25m²) usually takes 3–5 days plus 1 day for waterproofing and drying time. A kitchen splashback typically takes half a day to a full day. Larger areas like living room floors (30–50m²) take 2–4 days. These timeframes assume the substrate is prepared and ready. Add 1–2 days if old tiles need removal, and 1 day for waterproofing in wet areas. Grout should cure for 24 hours before light foot traffic and 72 hours before heavy use. Tile adhesive needs 24 hours to set before grouting can begin.
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How We Get These Prices
Prices aggregated from 155+ verified quotes and published rate cards from professional tilers across Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Based on 285 data points across 70 providers in 39 cities, covering floor tiling, wall tiling, bathroom renovations, splashbacks, and outdoor paving.
Methodology: We collect quotes from professional tilers, cross-reference with tile supplier pricing for ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and mosaic tiles, and verify against completed project invoices. We track per-square-metre rates by tile type and layout complexity. Data last verified March 2026, refreshed quarterly.
All prices are indicative guides. Your actual cost depends on tile type, area size, pattern complexity, surface preparation, and waterproofing requirements. We recommend getting at least three quotes before committing.