Ducted Air Conditioning Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a ducted air conditioning system in Australia by home size and zones.
Your ducted air conditioning details
Below the typical range for this service.
Below the typical range for this service.
Ways to save
- Insist the return-air grille is properly specced, under-sized return air is the number-one corner-cut and it starves the system, killing efficiency from day one. And watch any 'electrical if required' line: get the switchboard and 3-phase scope locked in writing, or you'll get hit mid-job (a 3-phase upgrade for a 15 kW+ system is $1,000–$2,000).
- Owner-supplying the unit can save 15–30%, but most installers then void the labour warranty on it, usually not worth the trade-off.
How we estimate this
A fully installed ducted system in 2026 mostly lands $9,000–$18,000, or roughly $80–$120 per square metre. A small 1–2 bed (7–10 kW, two zones) runs $7,000–$12,000; a typical 3–4 bed (10–18 kW, three to four zones) $10,500–$18,000; and a large 5-bed or double-storey home $17,000–$25,000+. Double-storey work carries inter-floor ductwork that alone adds $3,000–$4,000.
Pricing reviewed: October 2026.
Ducted air conditioning prices by city
Costs vary by city. See the local breakdown for your capital.
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Pricing reviewed October 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
Understanding ducted air conditioning costs in Australia
A fully installed ducted system in 2026 mostly lands $9,000–$18,000, or roughly $80–$120 per square metre. A small 1–2 bed (7–10 kW, two zones) runs $7,000–$12,000; a typical 3–4 bed (10–18 kW, three to four zones) $10,500–$18,000; and a large 5-bed or double-storey home $17,000–$25,000+. Double-storey work carries inter-floor ductwork that alone adds $3,000–$4,000.
Brand and efficiency shift the supply cost: premium Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric kit is $5,500–$8,000, mid-tier Fujitsu, Panasonic or Australian-designed ActronAir $4,500–$6,500, and value Haier, Hisense or Midea $3,500–$5,000, a $2,000–$3,000 swing on the unit alone. Zoning adds $800–$1,500 for a basic two-zone setup, up to $2,000–$4,000 for premium four-to-six-zone control, and the electrical (a dedicated circuit, or a 3-phase upgrade on bigger systems) is a real line, not an afterthought.
On running costs, ducted draws around 3–6 kWh an hour, roughly $0.90–$1.80 at today's tariffs, so a 3–4 bed home runs $600–$1,300 a year. Without disciplined zoning, a set of multi-splits is actually cheaper to run; zoning is what cuts ducted consumption 20–40% and makes it competitive, because you're only conditioning the rooms in use. Queensland tends to be cheapest, while Sydney and Melbourne labour runs 10–20% above the national figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ducted air conditioning cost?
Mostly $9,000–$18,000 installed in 2026, about $80–$120/m². A small home runs $7,000–$12,000, a 3–4 bed $10,500–$18,000, and a large or double-storey home $17,000–$25,000+.
Is ducted worth it over splits?
Ducted gives whole-home comfort and a cleaner look, but without good zoning it costs more to run than multi-splits. Zoning cuts its consumption 20–40% by only conditioning rooms in use, which is what makes it competitive.
What's the most common corner-cut to watch for?
Under-specced return air. A too-small return grille starves the system and wrecks efficiency from day one, so make sure it's sized properly. Also pin down the electrical scope, a 3-phase upgrade can add $1,000–$2,000.
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