National pricing guide

Tiling Cost in Australia

Tiling in Australia has a modelled range of $400–$5,500, with a midpoint estimate of $2,950. See your city for local modelling assumptions and available evidence.

Independent source review pending. See the evidence card for any actual verification date.

Modelled estimate

$400–$5,500

Midpoint estimate: $2,950 per job

Australia · Broad service estimate; confirm the job scope

Modelled estimate, not calculated from consumer submissions. GST treatment unknown; city, suburb and materials differences are assumptions rather than observed prices. Confirm scope and inclusions with the provider.

How this figure is put together

Modelled estimate; verified submission count unavailable. These figures are not calculated from consumer submissions.

Modelled estimate. City, suburb and materials factors are assumptions, not observed price differences. Confirm GST, units and inclusions with the provider.

GST treatment is unknown for this basis; confirm it with the provider.

No verified observation date for this model.

Existing guide assumptions; not a measured market sample or verified rate card.

Source and methodology

How tiling is priced in Australia

Tiling is priced per square metre for labour, with the tiles, adhesive, grout and waterproofing on top. Floor tiling on a flat slab is the cheapest; wall tiling, small formats, large formats, mosaics and feature layouts cost more per square metre. Waterproofing wet areas is a separate licensed step in most states.

Surface preparation, removing old tiles, levelling and waterproofing are where budgets grow. Queensland and NSW license tilers above their building-work thresholds; Victoria does not license tilers separately.

Estimate or verified?

Here tiling prices on this page are modelled estimates using existing guide assumptions, without a reconciled source dataset. An observed range is published only when its numbers are computed from at least 10 eligible submissions with matching scope, tax and materials treatment. Quotes and paid invoices are kept separate. How we build estimates · Submit a price

Tiling cost by city

Estimates by city, adjusted from the national range. Click your city for local detail and city-specific FAQ.

Tiling by city

Modelled ranges, not observed prices. The spread between cities comes from a published city multiplier applied to the national range — it is an assumption about each market, not a measurement of it.

Bars span the modelled low to high for each city; the tick marks the midpoint. Highest: Sydney, $400$5,500. Lowest: Toowoomba, $312$4,290.

Price by type and size

National estimates. Actual prices vary by city, see your city above for local pricing.

Floor tiles (standard)

Range$40–$70/sqm
Midpoint estimate$55

Floor tiles (large format)

Range$60–$100/sqm
Midpoint estimate$80

Wall tiles (bathroom)

Range$50–$90/sqm
Midpoint estimate$70

Tile repair (few tiles)

Range$200–$800
Midpoint estimate$500

Add-on pricing

Add-onCost
Waterproofing$50–$80
Tile removal$30–$50
Grout sealing$10–$15
Tile supply$20–$200

What drives price up

Large format tiles
Pattern layouts (herringbone)
Waterproofing required
Tile removal needed
Difficult substrate

Usually included

  • Laying tiles
  • Adhesive and grout
  • Basic cuts
  • Clean-up

Usually excluded

  • Tile supply
  • Waterproofing
  • Tile removal
  • Complex patterns
  • Levelling compound

Who is allowed to do tiling in each state

Licensing is the first thing to check before comparing prices. An unlicensed quote for licensed work is not a quote you can use.

Who licenses this work

Building and trade work, state by state

On a small screen, scroll across to see every column.

StateRegulatorRule
NSWNSW Government – contractor qualificationsConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for NSW. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
VICBuilding and Plumbing CommissionConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for VIC. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
QLDQueensland Building and Construction CommissionConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for QLD. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
WABuilding and EnergyConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for WA. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
SAConsumer and Business ServicesConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for SA. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
TASConsumer, Building and Occupational ServicesConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for TAS. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
ACTAccess CanberraConfirm the licence, registration, contract and certificate requirements for this exact job with the official authority for ACT. This guide does not assert a dollar threshold or an exemption. For permits, ask the relevant council; for consumer-contract questions, consult the ACCC guidance.
NTBuilding Practitioners BoardConfirm the relevant Northern Territory licensing authority for this occupation. No licence rule or threshold is asserted here.

Rules without a checked source have been replaced with official pointers. Qualified trade review is pending; no universal licence exemption is asserted.

Common mistakes

Comparing repair quotes without scope

Modelled assumption: $450 vs $1,800 for 4 tiles — the expensive one likely includes waterproofing and matching grout. Ask what is included.

Buying tiles yourself without measuring waste

Modelled assumption: Allow 10-15% extra for cuts and breakage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are quotes so different for the same job?

Scope differences. One includes waterproofing and tile supply, another is labour-only with your tiles.

How long does tiling take?

Bathroom floor: 1-2 days. Full bathroom: 3-5 days. Kitchen splashback: 1 day.

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