Hiring a professional painter in Brisbane in 2026 typically costs $25–$50 per m² for interior work and $15–$40 per m² for exterior surfaces (measured as wall area). For a standard 4-bedroom Queensland home, interior painting costs $6,000–$12,000 and exterior painting $8,000–$18,000 all up.
In Queensland, painting contractors undertaking work valued over $3,300 must hold a QBCC licence. Verify at licence.qbcc.qld.gov.au before hiring.
Brisbane Painter Prices (2026)
| Job / Area | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Single room (walls only) | $400 – $900 |
| Single room (walls + ceiling) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Full house interior (3 bed) | $4,500 – $9,000 |
| Full house interior (4 bed) | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Full house exterior (3 bed) | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Full house exterior (4 bed, Queenslander) | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Fence painting (per lineal m) | $15 – $30 |
| Roof painting | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Deck/timber staining | $500 – $2,500 |
Interior vs. Exterior Painting
Interior Painting
Interior painting is generally priced per room or per m² of wall area. Ceilings are charged separately. Two-coat systems are standard — some painters offer three coats on high-wear areas like hallways. Wall prep (filling, sanding, sealing) is often additional.
Exterior Painting
Exterior painting in Brisbane is more expensive than interior due to the additional prep work (pressure washing, sanding, priming), scaffold or boom lift hire, and the need for premium weather-resistant paints. Queenslander-style homes with weatherboard cladding are particularly labour-intensive.
Factors That Affect the Price
- Surface condition — cracked, peeling, or previously unpainted surfaces need more prep.
- Paint quality — premium paints cost more but last longer (10+ years vs 5–7).
- Colour changes — going from dark to light or vice versa may require extra coats.
- Access — two-storey homes, steep roofs, or difficult angles add cost.
- Number of colours — more colours means more masking time.
- Lead paint — homes built before 1970 may have lead paint requiring special handling.
Homes built before 1970 may contain lead-based paint. A licensed painter must follow safe work practices for lead paint removal — ask about this explicitly before work starts.
Tips to Get the Best Quote
- Get 3 quotes minimum — painting prices vary widely.
- Ask for a fixed-price quote including prep, materials, and clean-up.
- Confirm how many coats are included and what paint brand will be used.
- Check if scaffolding is included in the quote for two-storey homes.
- Use milestone payments — e.g. 30% to start, 70% on completion.
Find a Verified Painter in Brisbane
Post your painting job on Taskova and get quotes from QBCC-verified painters in Brisbane. Pay by milestone — funds stay in escrow until you approve the work.