Ducted Air Conditioning Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a ducted air conditioning system in Australia by home size and zones.
💰 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: June 2026.
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Pricing reviewed June 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
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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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