Plastering Cost in Sydney (2026)
In Sydney, the old terraces' lath-and-plaster and high labour rates set what plastering costs.
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Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Where the money goes
Estimated breakdown for your configuration
💰 Ways to save
- Bundle all patching into one visit to beat the minimum call-out.
- Skim-coating existing walls is cheaper than re-sheeting.
How we estimate this
Plastering in Australia in 2026 typically costs $30–$60 per square metre to supply and install new plasterboard, including setting and sanding. Repairs and skim coats are cheaper per area.
Pricing reviewed: June 2026.
What a plastering costs in Sydney
A large share of Sydney's inner housing is period terraces and apartments with original lath-and-plaster or hard-set walls, and repairing or matching those is specialist, slower work than sheeting a modern wall in plasterboard — so a heritage or hard-plaster repair costs well above a standard gyprock job. Access on two-storey terraces and strata approval in apartments add to the cost before the plastering starts.
Sydney's trade labour rates are the highest in the country, so the labour-heavy nature of plastering lifts the quote above most capitals even for a straightforward plasterboard job. A standard new-build or renovation gyprock, set and cornice is manageable, but ornate ceiling restoration, hard-set wall repair in a heritage terrace, or high-access work is where Sydney plastering climbs toward the top of the range.
Compare against the national picture: Plastering Cost in Australia →
Plastering Cost in other cities
Frequently asked questions
How much does plastering cost in Australia?
Typically $30–$60/m² to supply and install new plasterboard in 2026, including setting and sanding. Repairs cost less per area but may have a minimum fee.
What’s the difference between plastering and gyprocking?
In Australia the terms are used interchangeably for installing and finishing plasterboard (gyprock) walls and ceilings.
Is cornice included in plastering?
Cornice supply and install is usually quoted as an extra on top of the wall and ceiling sheeting.