Air-con / HVAC price guide

How much does air con installation cost?

A standard split system typically costs $1,500–$3,000 supplied and installed, or $600–$1,500 to install a unit you've already bought. Multi-head systems run about $4,500–$11,000 and ducted reverse-cycle systems $8,000–$18,000 for most houses. A service and clean is usually $120–$300 per split system.

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Split system, supplied and installed $1,500–$3,000 2.5 to 3.5 kW unit, back-to-back install. Bigger units, long pipe runs and second storeys cost more.

Install only (you supply the unit) $600–$1,500 Standard installation. A new power circuit and removing an old unit are usually extra.

What common air-con installer jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
Small split system, 2.5 kW	$1,300–$2,400	Supplied and installed; bedroom or study
Medium split system, 3.5 kW	$1,600–$2,900	Supplied and installed; large bedroom or small living room
Large split system, 5 to 8 kW	$2,000–$4,500	Supplied and installed; open-plan living areas
Multi-head system, 2 to 5 indoor units	$4,500–$11,000	One outdoor unit
Ducted reverse-cycle system	$8,000–$18,000	Whole house with zoning. Large or double-storey homes cost more
Replace an existing split system	$1,500–$3,800	Like-for-like, including removing the old unit
Service and clean a split system	$120–$300
Add a dedicated power circuit	$250–$450	Licensed electrician; often needed for bigger units

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives air con prices

Size and brand. Bigger units cost more to buy and take longer to fit, and premium brands sit a few hundred dollars above value brands of the same size. Getting the size right matters more than the badge: too small and it never keeps up, too big and it wastes power.

The install. The cheapest job is a back-to-back install, with the indoor and outdoor units on opposite sides of the same wall and a short pipe run between them. Putting the outdoor unit on the far side of the house, running pipes through the roof, mounting on a second-storey wall or fitting a condensate pump all add to the price.

Electrical work. Many split systems need their own circuit from the switchboard, and an older board may need upgrading to take it. That work has to be done by a licensed electrician and is often priced separately from the install.

Ducted extras. For ducted systems, the roof space matters a lot. A roomy, easy-to-reach roof cavity keeps labour down. Low pitches, tight trusses, double-storey homes that need bulkheads, and extra zones all add cost.

Getting a fair air con quote

Ask for a quote that names the unit model and its kW rating, how many metres of pipe are included, the bracket, the electrical work, removal of any old unit, and the warranty on both the unit and the installation. Be wary of “from” prices, which usually cover a small unit on a simple back-to-back install.

Whoever handles the refrigerant needs a licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (often called ARCtick), and the power connection needs the right electrical licence, with any new circuit done by a licensed electrician. Our licence checks page links to each state’s electrical licence lookup. Then weigh the quote against the ranges on this page. needatradie matches you with one vetted local installer, not five companies chasing the sale.

Air-con installer or electrician?

If you only need a new circuit, a power point near the outdoor unit or a switchboard upgrade, that’s electrical work; see our electrician price guide. For the unit itself, servicing, repairs or a re-gas, you want a refrigerant-licensed installer. Many businesses do both, so start with our air-con page and tell us what you’re after.

Air-con / HVAC prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Installers book out fast in the first heatwaves of summer. Getting quotes in spring usually means more choice of dates and units.
Melbourne	Reverse-cycle splits are bought for heating as much as cooling. The Victorian Energy Upgrades program can discount some installs that replace an old heater, so ask whether your installer takes part.
Brisbane	A single split typically costs about $1,300–$3,500 installed. Long, humid summers mean long run times, so correct sizing and efficiency matter.
Perth	A single split typically costs about $1,500–$4,500 supplied and installed, depending on size and access. Evaporative cooling is also common thanks to the dry heat.
Adelaide	Hot, dry summers make cooling a priority, and both evaporative and reverse-cycle ducted systems are common in larger homes.
Gold Coast	Similar prices to Brisbane. Outdoor units near the beach face salt air, so ask about corrosion protection and regular servicing.
Newcastle	Prices usually sit a little below Sydney. Two-storey homes and long pipe runs to the back of the house are the usual extras.
Canberra	Most installs here are about heating as much as cooling, so compare each unit's heating capacity and cold-weather performance, not just its cooling rating.

Air-con / HVAC costs: common questions

How much does it cost to install a split system air conditioner?

Supplied and installed, most single split systems cost $1,500 to $3,000 for a bedroom or small living area, and up to about $4,500 for a large unit. If you've already bought the unit, a standard back-to-back installation is usually $600 to $1,500. Long pipe runs, wall brackets on a second storey and a new power circuit are the common extras.

How much does ducted air conditioning cost for a 4-bedroom house?

For a typical single-storey four-bedroom home, expect around $12,000 to $17,000 for a reverse-cycle ducted system with zoning, installed. Smaller homes can come in under $10,000, while large or double-storey homes, extra zones and premium brands push it toward $18,000 or more. Easy access to the roof space makes a big difference to the labour.

Is a ducted or split system cheaper to run?

If you only cool or heat one or two rooms at a time, split systems are usually cheaper to run, because you're not conditioning the whole house. Ducted systems with zoning can close off rooms you're not using, which narrows the gap. Running cost also depends on the unit's size, its energy rating and how well your home is insulated.

How much do retailers like Bunnings or Harvey Norman charge to install an air con?

Big retailers usually sell installation as a standard package for a simple back-to-back install, carried out by an installer they work with. That can be fair value for an easy job, but anything outside the standard, like a longer pipe run, a second-storey bracket or a new circuit, is charged on top. Compare the full written quote, not the advertised starting price.

How much does an air con service cost?

A service and clean for a split system usually costs $120 to $300. Ducted systems take longer and cost more. A yearly service before summer keeps the filters and coils clean, helps the system run efficiently and can pick up a slow refrigerant leak or a worn part before it fails on the hottest day of the year.

What size air conditioner do I need?

It depends on the room's size, ceiling height, insulation, windows and which way it faces. As a loose guide, 2.5 kW suits a small bedroom and 5 kW or more suits an open-plan living area, but a proper heat-load check beats a rule of thumb. An undersized unit runs flat out, while an oversized one cycles on and off and wastes power.

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