What does commercial trades cost in Australia?
Commercial Trades work typically costs between $200 and $500,000 in Australia in 2026, across 9 common kinds of job. Below: the price of each, how it changes by state, and the licence, wage and compliance rules that set the floor.
Reviewed September 2026 by the Blue Collar News Services editorial team. 7 sources are linked on this page, all government, standards or industry bodies. Indicative prices, not quotes, and not legal advice. How we research prices
Commercial Trades prices by job
Typical GST-inclusive ranges for a standard residential job. Each link opens the full guide for that job.
| Job | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Electrical | $500–$50,000 | per job |
| Commercial Fire Services | $200–$5,000 | per job |
| Commercial Plumbing | $500–$40,000 | per job |
| Line Marking | $500–$8,000 | per job |
| Office Fit-Out | $20,000–$500,000 | per job |
| Office Partitioning | $3,000–$60,000 | per job |
| Scaffolding Hire & Erection | $800–$10,000 | per job |
| Shopfitting | $20,000–$300,000 | per job |
| Signage Manufacture & Installation | $500–$20,000 | per job |
What sets commercial trades prices in Australia
The rules and figures behind the numbers, each with its source. Checked September 2026; rules and award rates change, so confirm with the authority before relying on one.
In Queensland a QBCC licence is required to contract for building work valued over $3,300, and at any value for plumbing and drainage, gas fitting, fire protection, mechanical services and building design. Hydraulic services design needs a licence above $1,100.
Source: qbcc.qld.gov.au
In NSW a contractor licence is compulsory for residential building work over $5,000 including GST, but electrical wiring, plumbing, draining, gasfitting and air conditioning work need a licence at any value on residential, commercial or industrial sites, so fit-out trades in these areas must be licensed.
Source: nsw.gov.au
In NSW the electrician who tests the work must lodge a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work no later than seven days after testing. From 1 July 2026 it must be lodged through the BCNSW eCert portal, and on-the-spot fines of up to $1,000 apply for each certificate not supplied.
Source: nsw.gov.au
Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), a weekly-hire Level 3 (CW/ECW 3) painter or glazier must be paid at least $32.11 an hour and a Level 1 (CW/ECW 1) entry-level worker at least $28.98 an hour, effective 1 July 2026.
Source: calculate.fairwork.gov.au
Under NSW Security of Payment laws a business that receives a payment claim for construction work must issue a payment schedule within 10 business days or become liable for the full amount claimed. The laws do not apply where the client lives in the premises being worked on.
Source: nsw.gov.au
Unfair contract term protections cover standard form contracts with small businesses that employ fewer than 100 people or turn over less than $10 million a year. Company penalties are the greater of $50 million, three times the benefit gained or 30% of adjusted turnover; individuals face up to $2.5 million.
Source: accc.gov.au
ABS Producer Price Index: output prices for non-residential building construction rose 1.0% in the June 2026 quarter and 4.4% over the year, while overall building construction rose 4.9% annually (released 31 July 2026).
Source: abs.gov.au
Commercial Trades cost by state
The trade’s cheapest and dearest job, adjusted for each capital city. Regional prices can sit outside these.
| State | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | $230–$575,000 |
| Victoria | $225–$560,000 |
| Queensland | $210–$525,000 |
| Western Australia | $220–$550,000 |
| South Australia | $195–$490,000 |
| Tasmania | $205–$510,000 |
| Northern Territory | $225–$560,000 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $215–$540,000 |
How we work these prices out
The ranges are indicative, not quotes. They reflect the spread of prices Australian businesses typically quote for each job in capital cities, reviewed September 2026, GST-inclusive, for a standard residential job with reasonable access. The state table applies a cost index for each capital to the national range. Where a rule or rate is stated above, it comes from the source shown; we do not copy figures from other quote websites.
Get exact commercial trades quotes, free
Tell us the job once. Independent commercial trades businesses covering your area come back with quotes. No obligation.
FAQs
Why do commercial trades prices vary so much between jobs?
The range on this page covers 9 different kinds of commercial trades work, from small repairs to large installations, so the spread is wide. Within one job the price moves with size, access, materials and urgency. A tradie who has seen the job can quote it; a page cannot.
Do these prices include GST?
Yes. Every figure here is GST-inclusive and assumes a standard residential job with reasonable access. A written quote from a licensed business must also show whether GST is included.
Why is commercial trades dearer in some states?
Labour rates, licence requirements, insurance thresholds and the cost of getting materials to site all differ by state, and metro rates run above regional ones. The state table applies a cost index for each capital city to the national range; regional prices can sit outside it.
How do I get an exact price?
Get two or three written quotes from licensed local businesses and compare them like for like. You can do that here for free: tell us the job and independent commercial trades businesses covering your area come back to you with quotes.
Sources
Every rule and rate on this page comes from one of these. Checked September 2026. We link the page we read, not a homepage, so you can see the figure yourself.
- qbcc.qld.gov.au/licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-licences-and-registrations/categories-of-work
- nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/electricians/electrical-compliance-requirements
- calculate.fairwork.gov.au/Download/AwardSummary?awardCode=ma000020&fileType=pdf
- nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/security-of-payment/responding-to-a-payment-claim
- accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-welcomes-new-penalties-and-expansion-of-the-unfair-contract-terms-laws
- abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/producer-price-indexes-australia/latest-release