Getting a handle on the kitchen renovation cost per square metre in Australia is smart homework before a builder ever sets foot in your home. It’s a sanity check: one number you can multiply by your kitchen’s floor area, compare against quotes, and use to spot a quote that’s suspiciously cheap — or quietly padded.
In 2026, most Australian kitchen renovations land between $1,500 and $4,000 per square metre. A straightforward refresh of a small galley can sit under $2,000 per square metre, while a fully custom designer kitchen in Sydney can push past $6,000. Below is how those numbers break down — and why the per-square-metre figure, useful as it is, doesn’t tell the whole story on its own.
Kitchen renovation cost per square metre in 2026: the headline numbers
Kitchen pricing falls into three broad tiers. The table shows typical 2026 per-square-metre ranges for a standard 10 to 12 square metre kitchen.
| Renovation tier | Cost per square metre | Typical total (10–12 m² kitchen) | What it covers |
| Budget refresh | $1,500–$2,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | Flat-pack or refaced cabinetry, laminate benchtops, entry-level appliances, no layout changes |
| Mid-range renovation | $2,500–$3,500 | $30,000–$45,000 | Semi-custom cabinetry, engineered stone benchtops, mid-tier appliances, tiled splashback, minor plumbing and electrical updates |
| Premium / custom | $4,000–$6,000+ | $50,000–$100,000+ | Bespoke joinery, natural stone or porcelain benchtops, integrated premium appliances, full layout reconfiguration |
For context, the Housing Industry Association’s 2026 renovation data puts the average Australian kitchen renovation, including installation, at approximately $42,630 — toward the upper end of the mid-range band.
Why per-square-metre pricing needs a footnote
Kitchen costs don’t scale neatly with floor area. Cabinetry, benchtops, plumbing and electrical carry large fixed costs: your oven, cooktop, rangehood, sink, dishwasher and tapware cost the same in a six square metre galley as in a twenty square metre kitchen. That’s why a small 6 to 9 square metre galley can cost 70 to 80 percent of a 12 square metre kitchen at the same finish — and why its per-square-metre figure looks alarmingly high. Use the rate to cross-check quotes for the *same* kitchen, never to compare a compact galley against an open-plan design.
Full kitchen renovation cost breakdown
Where does the money go? Typical 2026 budget splits:
| Cost component | Share of total budget | Typical 2026 range |
| Cabinetry | 25–30% | $5,000–$18,000 |
| Benchtops | 10–15% | $2,500–$12,000 |
| Appliances | 15–20% | $3,000–$25,000 |
| Plumbing | 5–8% | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Electrical | 5–8% | $1,200–$4,000 |
| Splashback and tiling | 5–10% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Flooring | 5–10% | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Labour and installation | 20–25% | $5,000–$20,000 |
| Design fees and contingency | 5–10% | $1,500–$6,000 |
Cabinetry is consistently the single biggest line item — a third or more of the budget once installation is included. Benchtops and appliances are the next biggest variables, and where your choices move the total most. Labour is the hidden heavyweight: across all trades it can absorb 40 to 50 percent of the budget, which is why quotes vary so much between cities.
Factors affecting your kitchen renovation cost
Size and layout of the kitchen
Floor area matters, but layout matters more. An L-shaped kitchen that keeps the existing plumbing wall can cost less overall than a smaller U-shaped kitchen that relocates the sink, cooktop and dishwasher to three new positions. Islands add bench space but also demand extra electrical runs and sometimes structural support in the slab or subfloor. Before falling in love with a layout, get a builder’s read on what the existing services will allow.
Cabinetry, benchtops and finishes
Material choices are where budgets quietly double. Laminate benchtops sit around $350–$600 per square metre installed; engineered stone steps up to $700–$1,400; natural stone like marble or granite runs $1,800–$3,000 per square metre before waterfall edges or book-matched slabs. Cabinetry follows the same staircase: flat-pack, semi-custom, then fully custom joinery — each step roughly doubles the cabinetry line. Hardware sounds trivial until you price soft-close drawers and pull-out pantries across twenty cabinets.
Appliances
A basic appliance package — oven, cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher from entry-level brands — runs $3,000 to $8,000. Mid-tier brands sit at $8,000 to $15,000; European integrated appliances push $10,000 to $25,000 and beyond. Appliances are the easiest place to stage spending: build cabinetry to standard sizes now and slot premium pieces in later, provided your electrician runs the right circuits from day one.
Plumbing, gas and electrical changes
This is the single biggest cost lever in any kitchen renovation. Keeping your sink, dishwasher and cooking positions where they are is the most effective way to control cost. The moment plumbing moves — particularly on a concrete slab, where it means concrete cutting and new drainage — costs escalate fast. Relocating a gas cooktop point needs a licensed gasfitter and compliance certification, and modern kitchens’ appetite for power (induction, double ovens, boiling-water taps) can demand a switchboard upgrade ($1,000–$3,000) in older homes.
Trade labour rates
2026 trade rates in the capitals run roughly: cabinetmakers from $120 per hour, plumbers $100–$150 per hour, electricians $80–$140 per hour, and tilers $50–$150 per square metre depending on tile size and material. These rates bite hardest on complex, fiddly work — herringbone splashbacks, mitred stone edges, relocated services. In tight markets, good kitchen builders and joiners book three to six months out and don’t discount.
City differences: kitchen renovation cost per square metre across Australia
Labour rates and trade demand shift costs noticeably between capitals — always get local quotes.
| City | Budget (per m²) | Mid-range (per m²) | Premium (per m²) |
| Sydney | $1,800–$2,500 | $2,800–$3,800 | $4,000–$6,000+ |
| Melbourne | $1,600–$2,200 | $2,500–$3,400 | $3,800–$5,500 |
| Brisbane | $1,500–$2,000 | $2,300–$3,200 | $3,500–$5,000 |
Sydney
Sydney consistently carries the highest kitchen renovation costs in the country, driven by elevated labour rates and chronic trade shortages. A mid-range renovation that costs $35,000 in Brisbane can easily quote $45,000 to $54,000 in Sydney for the same scope. Inner-city postcodes attract an additional premium, and access constraints on terraces and apartments add real cost in day rates. Book trades early — reputable Sydney kitchen renovators are typically scheduled months ahead.
Melbourne
Melbourne sits a notch below Sydney, with a deep pool of cabinetmakers and kitchen companies keeping mid-range pricing competitive at $2,500 to $3,400 per square metre. The northern and western suburbs offer strong value where workshop overheads are lower. Heritage overlays in the inner suburbs can add permit costs, though most kitchen work is internal and unaffected.
Brisbane
Brisbane offers the best value of the three east-coast capitals, with mid-range kitchens typically landing between $2,300 and $3,200 per square metre. The trade base has expanded significantly with south-east Queensland’s construction boom, though the busiest periods still stretch lead times. Humidity is a genuine design consideration: specify moisture-resistant board for cabinetry and plan ventilation properly.
For a broader look at whole-home budgets beyond the kitchen, see our renovation costs Australia 2026 guide.
Money-saving tips for your kitchen renovation
- Keep the layout. Not moving plumbing, gas and electrical is the single biggest saving you can make — it can shave 20 to 30 percent off a mid-range quote.
- Reface instead of replacing. If your cabinet boxes are solid, new doors, fronts, handles and a benchtop deliver a near-new kitchen for a fraction of a full rip-out.
- Choose engineered stone over natural. You get the stone look at $700–$1,400 per square metre instead of $1,800–$3,000, with better stain resistance for busy family kitchens.
- Stage your appliances. Build cabinetry to standard sizes and install mid-tier appliances now; upgrade to premium pieces later when the budget recovers.
- Get three itemised quotes. Compare line by line, not just the bottom line — one quote’s “mid-range” inclusions are another’s expensive extras.
- Do the demolition and painting yourself. Strip-out, rubbish removal and final painting are genuine DIY savings that don’t touch licensed trade work.
- Hold a 10 percent contingency. Older kitchens hide water damage, dodgy wiring and out-of-square walls. A contingency you don’t spend beats a half-finished kitchen you can’t afford to complete.
- Run the numbers first. Our free renovation tools can help you estimate your kitchen budget before you start collecting quotes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average kitchen renovation cost per square metre in Australia in 2026?
Budget kitchens run $1,500–$2,000 per square metre, mid-range $2,500–$3,500, and premium custom $4,000 and up. HIA’s 2026 data puts the average total renovation, including installation, at about $42,630.
Why does my small kitchen cost so much per square metre?
The expensive parts don’t shrink with floor area. Your oven, cooktop, rangehood, sink, dishwasher and plumbing connections cost the same in a 6 square metre galley as in a 15 square metre kitchen — so a small galley can cost 70 to 80 percent of a standard kitchen at the same finish.
Does the per-square-metre rate include appliances?
Usually, yes — a complete quoted rate normally includes cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, plumbing and electrical work, tiling and installation. Inclusions vary between companies though, so always ask for an itemised quote.
How much should I budget for a 12 square metre kitchen in Sydney?
Budget roughly $22,000–$30,000 for a basic refresh, $34,000–$46,000 for a quality mid-range renovation, and $50,000–$72,000+ for premium custom. Add 10 percent contingency, particularly in apartments and pre-1980s homes.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A cosmetic refresh takes one to two weeks, mid-range three to five, and premium custom six to ten weeks or more. Custom cabinetry and stone lead times — often four to eight weeks — run alongside demolition, so order early and don’t start the rip-out until materials are confirmed.