The formula
For each line item we multiply a quantity by a national unit cost, then apply a quality-grade factor. A regional labour multiplier is applied to the labour portion only; materials are priced nationally. We show the itemised result as a ±25% range.
National unit costs
| Line item | National unit cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition & disposal | $350.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Demolition & disposal) |
| Toilet, faucets & fixtures | $3,000.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Toilet, faucets & fixtures) |
| Tub / shower & surround | $8,000.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Tub / shower & surround) |
| Tile & flooring | $900.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Tile & flooring) |
| Vanity & countertop | $3,500.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Vanity & countertop) |
| Electrical & lighting | $2,300.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Electrical & lighting) |
| Plumbing rough-in & relocation | $6,000.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Plumbing rough-in & relocation) |
| Painting & finishing | $1,200.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Painting & finishing) |
| Permit & inspection | $1,500.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Permit & inspection) |
Regional labour multipliers
Each state's labour multiplier is its private-sector all-industry full-time adult ordinary-time weekly earnings relative to the national private-sector mean, from ABS Average Weekly Earnings (November 2025, Table 14, by state) — used as a disclosed proxy for bathroom-trade labour because Australia publishes no by-state plumber, tiler, or waterproofer earnings series in public form. Multipliers are bounded to a sane range and applied to the labour share of each line item, so materials stay nationally priced while labour tracks local wages.
Data vintage and limitations
Compiled June 2026 from public cost aggregators and government wage data. These are derived estimates, not live contractor quotes. Local prices vary with project complexity, access, and material availability; always confirm with a licensed contractor before budgeting.