National Trade Cost & Regulatory Baseline
Painting & Rendering Cost Guide & Council Planning Rules (2026)
Interior/exterior residential painting, acrylic texture coating, cement rendering, and surface prep.
Average Australian Installed Range
$35 –$95/ per m²
Fair Work CW3 Base: $31.4/hr
Commercial Mult: 2.8x loaded rate
100% Non-Marked-Up Data
Material Pricing & Longevity Comparison
Supply and installation brackets for common residential specifications in Australia.
| Material Option | Installed Range (per m²) | Expected Lifespan | Description & Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior 2-Coat Low Sheen Acrylic | $30 –$48 | 8-12 yrs | Premium washable acrylic on prepared plasterboard walls and ceilings. |
| Exterior Weatherproof Acrylic Paint | $38 –$65 | 10-15 yrs | UV and mould-resistant elastomeric membrane coating on masonry/timber. |
| Full Acrylic Render & Texture Coat | $65 –$95 | 20-25 yrs | Polymer-modified cement base coat followed by tinted acrylic texture. |
State & Territory Exemption Thresholds
Select your state to view development approval exemption triggers under local planning schemes.
Australian Capital TerritoryACT
✓ Exempt Path Available
Cosmetic painting and rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
New South WalesNSW
✓ Exempt Path Available
Internal and external non-structural painting & rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt) / $450 - $950 AUD (Heritage DA if required)
Northern TerritoryNT
✓ Exempt Path Available
Cosmetic painting and rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
QueenslandQLD
✓ Exempt Path Available
Standard residential maintenance and cosmetic finishes
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
South AustraliaSA
✓ Exempt Path Available
Internal and external painting and texture rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
TasmaniaTAS
✓ Exempt Path Available
Cosmetic painting and exterior rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
VictoriaVIC
✓ Exempt Path Available
Non-structural decorative finishes and protective coatings
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Standard) / $600 - $1,200 AUD (Council Heritage Permit)
Western AustraliaWA
✓ Exempt Path Available
Cosmetic painting, texturing, and acrylic rendering
Est. Permit: $0 AUD (Exempt)
Calculate by Local Government Area (LGA)
Select your council area for interactive dimension calculators and local certifier checklists.
Alice Springs Town Council
NT • Regional
Open Estimator
Belconnen District
ACT • Metro
Open Estimator
Cardinia Shire
VIC • Regional
Open Estimator
City of Armadale
WA • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Bayswater
WA • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Blacktown
NSW • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Brisbane
QLD • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Burnie
TAS • Regional
Open Estimator
City of Canning
WA • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Casey
VIC • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Clarence
TAS • Metro
Open Estimator
City of Darwin
NT • Metro
Open Estimator