Cost guides › Rendering
Australia
House rendering cost
Rendering 120 m² of brick wall on a single-storey home in acrylic render typically costs $8,050 including GST, with most quotes between $6,250 and $10,400. That includes masking windows and paths, cleaning and priming the brickwork, corner beads and an acrylic render finish ready for colour. Cement render finished with two coats of exterior paint is about $7,300; polymer-modified render with full mesh and a longer warranty is around $9,300. A double-storey home adds scaffolding; pick it in the calculator.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $7,750 | $8,500 | $9,800 |
| Western Australia | $7,500 | $8,250 | $9,550 |
| Northern Territory | $7,400 | $8,150 | $9,400 |
| New South Wales | $7,350 | $8,100 | $9,350 |
| Queensland | $7,250 | $7,950 | $9,200 |
| Victoria | $7,200 | $7,950 | $9,200 |
| South Australia | $6,950 | $7,650 | $8,900 |
| Tasmania | $6,700 | $7,450 | $8,650 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Masking windows, doors, paths and garden beds
- Cleaning down the brickwork
- Priming to seal the brick and even out suction
- Corner and stop beads at corners, windows and doors
- Acrylic render in one or two coats with a sponge finish, coloured or ready to paint
- Cleanup and removal of waste
What affects the cost
Type of render
Bagging is the cheapest way to change the look of brick. Cement render is the traditional base and needs painting. Acrylic and polymer renders are more flexible and less prone to cracking, and texture coats cost the most.
Removing old render
If existing render is drummy or cracked, it has to be removed back to the brick before re-rendering, which adds labour and disposal per square metre.
Double-storey homes
A single-storey home can be rendered from trestles and mobile platforms. Double-storey walls need scaffolding and more time moving materials up, so they cost more per square metre.
Wall condition
Cracked brickwork, failed mortar joints or movement cracks must be repaired first. Ongoing movement or rising damp needs to be fixed at the source before rendering.
Access and detailing
Narrow side paths, many windows, pipes, meter boxes and air-conditioner units slow the job and add cutting and masking.
Paint
Cement render and bagging need two coats of exterior acrylic paint. Some acrylic renders are through-coloured, but many owners still paint for an even colour.
How to save
- Render only the street-facing walls if the side and back walls are in good condition.
- Keep sound existing render and apply a new finish coat instead of stripping everything.
- Book outside the hottest months, when render dries too fast and crews need to stop in the afternoon.
- Get quotes on the same system and colour, with paint, removal and scaffold listed separately.
Grants, tax and rules
GST
Quotes to households include 10% GST, and so do our figures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rendering cost per square metre in Australia?
For 120 m² of wall on a single-storey home, acrylic render costs about $8,050 including GST, most quotes between $6,250 and $10,400. Divide by the area to compare quotes per square metre; small jobs cost more per square metre.
Is acrylic render better than cement render?
Acrylic and polymer renders are more flexible, so they crack less on brick veneer that moves with the seasons. Cement render is cheaper and hard-wearing but needs painting and is more prone to fine cracking.
How long does it take to render a house?
A single-storey brick home usually takes one to two weeks including drying time. Double-storey homes and removal of old render take longer.
Can you render over painted brick?
Only after the paint is removed or the surface is properly keyed and primed, otherwise the render can lose its grip. Your renderer should test the surface first.
What is bagging?
Bagging is a thin coat of mortar rubbed over brickwork with a hessian bag or sponge, which leaves the brick texture showing through. It is cheaper than full render and is then painted.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 49.6 · Labour: $4,278 · Materials: $3,018
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: 120 m2 acrylic render, single storey, incl. GST: hipages (01/2026), WhatsTheDamage (09/2026), LeadKit (09/2026), BODA Building Group (01/2026), service.com.au (04/2026).
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy