In 2025, painting the interior of a house in Sydney costs $18–$60+ per m², depending on finish quality. A 3-bedroom home typically costs $4,500–$8,000. Room rates range from $250 to $1,000, and trims are $80–$150 each. Hourly rates vary from $40–$120, based on painter experience.
Estimate your interior and exterior house painting cost
Contents
- 1 Estimate your interior and exterior house painting cost
- 1.1 Why Interior Painting Costs Vary in Sydney Homes
- 1.2 Interior Painting Costs in Sydney,2025 Rates
- 1.3 Full Interior Painting Costs by Home Size
- 1.4 What’s Included in a Brushworks Interior Painting Quote
- 1.5 How to Save on Interior Painting Without Compromising Quality
- 1.6 Sydney Homeowners Ask,We Answer
- 1.7 Ready to Paint Without the Guesswork?
The calculator includes light work such as light sanding, minimal caulking and two coats of
appropriate top coat. The result of your calculation is an approximation only.
Thinking of giving your walls a facelift? Before you go paint-swatch crazy, you’re probably wondering: How much is this going to cost me?
At Brushworks Painting, we get this question every single day. So we’ve created this guide to answer it,honestly, transparently, and with a little painter’s humour thrown in.
Why Interior Painting Costs Vary in Sydney Homes
The Key Factors at Play
There’s no flat fee that suits every home. Here’s what really affects how much you’ll pay:
- Wall condition: Fresh plaster? Easy. Cracked, flaky walls? More prep = more cost.
- Room shape and layout: Open plan = more coverage, fewer edges. Small rooms = fiddly trims.
- Paint quality: Dulux vs no-name tin? Big difference.
- Ceilings, doors, and trims: Often overlooked, but they can be 25,35% of your quote.
Sydney-Specific Challenges That Affect Price
Our city’s gorgeous. But its buildings? A mixed bag of challenges.
- Humidity and salt (hello Bondi): Adds mould risk and affects adhesion
- Older homes: Think lead paint, patchy render, and charming but uneven walls
- Inner-city terraces: Narrow access, steep stairs, no parking = longer setup times
Interior Painting Costs in Sydney,2025 Rates
Cost Per Square Metre (Updated Guide)
Interior house painting typically falls into three cost brackets in Sydney:
| Type of Job | Rate Per m² (incl. labour & paint) |
|---|---|
| Budget Refresh | $18,$28 |
| Standard Repaint | $28,$40 |
| High-End Finish | $40,$60+ |
These cover walls and ceilings, excluding trims, which are usually quoted separately at $8,$20/m.
Hourly Rates vs Per-Job Rates
Some painters charge by the hour, especially for small jobs. Typical hourly rates in Sydney:
- $40,$60/hour (budget operator)
- $65,$90/hour (mid-range or experienced)
- $90,$120/hour (premium, accredited painter)
We prefer fixed quotes at Brushworks. It’s simpler, less risky, and transparent.
Cost by Room Type
| Room Type | Estimated Cost (Standard Paint) |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | $400,$700 |
| Kitchen | $300,$600 |
| Bathroom | $250,$450 |
| Living Room | $600,$1,000 |
| Ceilings Only | $250,$500 (per room) |
| Doors & Trims | $80,$150 each |
Dark-to-light colour changes and feature walls can add $100,$400 per room.
Full Interior Painting Costs by Home Size
Want your whole interior done? Here’s a typical range:
| Property Type | Estimate Range (incl. paint & labour) |
|---|---|
| Apartment (2-bed) | $3,000,$5,000 |
| House (3-bed) | $4,500,$8,000 |
| House (4-bed+) | $6,000,$10,000 |
Prices can rise if you have high ceilings, detailed cornices, or antique woodwork.
What’s Included in a Brushworks Interior Painting Quote
Labour, Materials, and Finish Quality
When we quote, we mean it. No hidden surprises.
You’ll get:
- Two coats of Dulux premium paint
- Surface sanding and patching
- Drop sheets and protection of all surfaces
- Ceilings and trims if requested
- Clean-up and rubbish removal
Dulux-Accredited Workmanship
We’re one of Sydney’s few Dulux Accredited painters, which means:
- Fully licensed and insured
- Product knowledge and colour matching
- Ongoing training & inspections
We only use low-VOC, Australian climate-tested paints, so your interior lasts longer,and smells better.
5-Year Workmanship Warranty (Yes, Really)
We’re proud of our prep work,so we guarantee it.
Our 5-year warranty covers:
- Cracking or peeling from incorrect application
- Flaking caused by insufficient surface treatment
- Uneven coverage or fading (within reason)
How to Save on Interior Painting Without Compromising Quality
Book in Off-Peak Months
Winter is our quiet season. Painters are more available, and you can negotiate better rates.
Bonus: You’ll be ready to entertain when spring hits.
Bundle Rooms or Services Together
Need your walls, trims, AND exterior done? You’ll often get 10,20% off by doing it all at once.
Some clients even combine painting with:
- Deck staining
- Fence painting
- Pressure cleaning
Ask us for a multi-service discount.
Prep It Yourself (If You’re Game)
You can save a bit by:
- Moving furniture
- Taking down artwork
- Removing nails or hooks
- Giving walls a light clean
Just don’t skip patching or priming,that’s where quality begins.
Sydney Homeowners Ask,We Answer
How long does it take to paint a 3-bedroom house?
Usually 3,6 days, depending on:
- Surface condition
- How many painters on-site
- Whether ceilings and trims are included
Do painters move furniture?
We’ll move small items. You move anything fragile or heavy (TVs, glass cabinets). Fair deal?
Can you paint over mould?
No,and if someone says yes, run. We treat it with mould-killing primer, then repaint properly.
Can I live in my home while it’s being painted?
Absolutely. We’ll paint one area at a time, and our low-VOC paints mean no heavy fumes.
Ready to Paint Without the Guesswork?
When you’re ready, Brushworks Painting can provide a detailed, no-pressure quote for your Sydney home. We’ll help you choose colours, timing, and finishes,without the fluff or the fine print.
Get your free interior painting quote today,and let’s make your walls shine.
About Nick Kyriacou As founder of Brushworks, I bring 25+ years of painting expertise to every Sydney project. We specialise in commercial painting, industrial, and premium residential painting with meticulous attention to detail. Keep up to date with our latest news and blog