Kitchen Remodel Costs & Rules in Australia (2025)

Thinking about a Kitchen Remodel? In Australia, the right planning saves money, avoids approval headaches and keeps you safe. This guide covers 2025 costs in AUD, timelines, compliance (NCC/BCA, state licensing), energy and water efficiency, material choices, and a practical step-by-step so you can brief designers and trades with confidence.

Table of Contents

• Kitchen Remodel Overview
• Benefits & Drawbacks
• Costs in Australia (2025)
• Timeline (Planning → Handover)
• Approvals & Permits
• Safety & Compliance
• Energy & Water Efficiency
• Materials & Finishes
• Design Tips
• DIY vs Professional
• Common Mistakes
• Maintenance
• State Notes (QLD, NSW, VIC)
• Step-by-Step Plan
• Checklist
• FAQs

1. Kitchen Remodel Overview

A kitchen remodel ranges from a cosmetic refresh (paint, tapware, handles) to a gut-and-replace with new layout, services and appliances. Budget is shaped by scope (like-for-like vs moving plumbing), materials (laminate vs natural stone), appliances, and labour rates. Expect licensed trades for electrical, plumbing and gas in every state.

2. Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits

• Better workflow, storage and safety
• Higher buyer appeal and energy/water savings with efficient appliances and fittings
• Improved functionality and modern aesthetics
• Increased property value

Drawbacks

• Disruption (2–8+ weeks) and lead times for cabinetry/benchtops
• Compliance steps (ventilation, strata approvals) add admin and cost
• Potential for unexpected costs during demolition
• Need for temporary kitchen setup during renovation

3. Kitchen Remodel Costs in Australia (2025)

Typical totals (materials + labour):

• Budget/small: $15,000–$30,000
• Mid-range: $25,000–$45,000
• Premium/large: $45,000–$80,000+

Recent AU guides and builder data place the average around the mid-30s, with wide variation by city and scope.

Labour Rates (Guide)

• Electrician: ~$80–$100/hr (+ call-out)
• Plumber: ~$80–$200/hr (+ call-out)
• Tiler: ~$45–$150/m² (labour)

4. Typical Timeline

5. Approvals & Permits (What to Check)

NCC/BCA Ventilation

Rangehoods should exhaust to outside; avoid recirculating setups where direct discharge is required.

Building Approval

Many internal renovations need building approval if structural (e.g., removing load-bearing walls). Private certifiers issue approvals; minor internal like-for-like may not require planning approvals—check your project.

Strata/Body-Corp

Apartments/townhouses often need written approval for works affecting common property, services or external appearance. NSW classifies strata works as cosmetic/minor/major with different approvals.

6. Safety & Compliance (Don't Skip)

Licensed Trades

• Electrical: You must use a licensed electrician. DIY wiring is illegal and unsafe.
• Plumbing & Gas: Only licensed practitioners may alter water/waste and gas.

Asbestos

About 1 in 3 Australian homes (pre-1990) still contain asbestos; disturbing it during demo is dangerous—engage licensed assessors/removers.

Lead Paint

Pre-1970 paints may contain lead; use safe methods (wet sanding, containment) and follow health guidance.

Gas Cooktop Clearances

New AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 increases minimum overhead clearance to 650 mm for rangehoods (and 750 mm for exhaust fans) unless manufacturer specifies otherwise.

7. Energy & Water Efficiency (and Indoor Air)

Energy Rating Label

Choose higher-star fridges, dishwashers, ovens—use the government database/calculator to compare running costs.

WELS Water Rating

Select high-star taps/dishwashers (mandatory national scheme).

Induction vs Gas

Induction is efficient and reduces indoor NO₂ compared with unflued gas; NSW Health highlights indoor air concerns from gas.

Ventilation

NCC guidance expects kitchen exhaust to the outside; recirculating hoods are poor at removing moisture/NO₂/grease.

8. Materials & Finishes (What to Pick in 2025)

Benchtops (Engineered Stone Ban Applies)

• Porcelain/sintered stone: Heat/UV-resistant, thin profiles; mid-to-high cost
• Natural stone (granite/marble): Premium look; seal periodically
• Solid surface (acrylic): Seamless joins; repairable; moderate heat care
• Laminate: Budget-friendly; modern textures; best value
• Stainless steel/timber: Niche looks; consider denting (SS) and sealing (timber)

Cabinetry

Flatpack/rigid modules save time; bespoke joinery offers exact fit. Example lineal-metre pricing shows large variation by style (laminate vs Shaker).

Splashbacks

Tiled, porcelain slab, glass, stainless. Check gas clearances to combustibles and suitable materials behind burners.

9. Design Tips (AU-Practical)

• Layout: Prioritise clear zones (prep, cook, clean) and 900–1,000 mm walkways
• Storage: Deep drawers over doors; pull-outs in corners; bin near sink/dishwasher
• Lighting: Layers—task (under-cabinet), ambient (ceiling), accent (pendants)
• Power & Data: Enough GPOs on dedicated circuits; USB-C in a charging nook
• Ventilation: Specify a ducted rangehood sized to cooktop width or larger; terminate externally with proper flashing

10. DIY vs Professional

DIY Okay For:

• Painting
• Handles
• Flatpack assembly (if comfortable)

Professional Only For:

• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Gas fitting
• Waterproofing where required
• Any structural work/beam design

Fines and safety risks aren't worth it.

11. Common Mistakes

• Recirculating rangehoods (grease/odour linger)
• Not checking strata and building approvals up front
• Ordering appliances after cabinetry is built (fit issues)
• Ignoring clearances around gas cooktops
• No plan for asbestos/lead in older homes

12. Maintenance (Make it Last)

• Seal natural stone/timber as recommended; use cutting boards and trivets
• Clean rangehood filters monthly; replace carbon filters if any recirc modes
• Check silicone joints annually; re-caulk if moulded or cracked
• Keep WELS aerators clean to maintain flow and efficiency

13. State Notes (Quick Highlights)

QLD

Building approvals commonly handled by private certifiers; most electrical work requires licensed electricians; gasfitting requires the relevant licence. Strata/Body-corp improvements to common property need approval.

NSW

Electrical and plumbing/gas work require licences; strata classifies works (cosmetic/minor/major) with different approval paths.

VIC

Plumbing is regulated by the VBA; check Energy Safe Victoria guidance for gas clearances.

14. Step-by-Step Plan

1. Measure & Brief: Room sizes, windows/doors, services
2. Scope & Budget: Decide like-for-like vs re-layout; shortlist finishes
3. Compliance Check: Ventilation route, gas/electrical/plumbing, strata/council
4. Design & Quotes: Get 2–3 quotes for cabinetry, benchtops, trades
5. Order Long-Lead Items: Cabinets, benchtops, appliances
6. Protect & Demolish: Dust control; asbestos/lead checks if pre-1990/1970
7. Rough-in: Licensed electrician, plumber, gasfitter
8. Install Cabinets → Template Tops: Keep levels true; confirm scribe lines
9. Fit Benchtops & Splashback: Set appliances; duct hood outside
10. Test & Handover: Compliance/CoC paperwork, manuals, care sheet

15. Checklist (Before / During / After)

Before

• ☐ Confirm approvals (strata/certifier) and ventilation route
• ☐ Lock materials compatible with gas clearances if relevant
• ☐ Book licensed electrician, plumber, gasfitter
• ☐ Order WELS/energy-rated fixtures/appliances

During

• ☐ Protect adjacent areas; manage waste responsibly
• ☐ Rough-in tested; photos behind walls (future reference)
• ☐ Rangehood duct installed to outside (no recirc)
• ☐ Benchtop templates signed off

After

• ☐ Electrical/Plumbing/Gas compliance docs on file
• ☐ Filter maintenance schedule set
• ☐ Warranty/receipt folder created

16. FAQs

What is the average cost of a kitchen remodel in Australia?

Most projects fall between $15k and $50k+; averages in the mid-$30k are common, with metro locations and layout changes pushing higher.

How long does a remodel take?

On-site works are often 2–8 weeks, plus ordering time for cabinets and benchtops.

Do I need council approval?

If you're removing structural elements or altering building fabric, expect a building approval. Like-for-like internal swaps may not need planning approval; check with a private certifier/council.

Is engineered stone still allowed?

No—engineered stone (quartz) is banned nationally from 1 July 2024 due to silica risks. Consider porcelain/sintered, natural stone, solid surface, laminate, stainless or timber.

Can I DIY electrical or plumbing?

No. Licensed trades must do electrical, plumbing and gas.

What rangehood is compliant?

Choose a model you can duct to outside; NCC guidance expects direct exhaust, and gas cooktops have specific clearances (often 650 mm to a rangehood).

How do I choose efficient products?

Use the Energy Rating and WELS labels/databases to compare energy and water use across models.

I'm in a strata unit—what approvals do I need?

NSW categorises renovations as cosmetic/minor/major with different approvals; always check by-laws and obtain written consent before starting.