Ducted Air Conditioning Cost in Melbourne (2026)
Melbourne sizes ducted systems for a real winter heating load, and its period homes are hard to duct.
Your ducted air conditioning details
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: June 2026.
What a ducted air conditioning costs in Melbourne
Ducted reverse-cycle is popular in Melbourne because it does double duty: the cold winters mean the system is sized for a genuine heating load, not just summer cooling, which pushes buyers toward higher-capacity units and larger ductwork than a warm-climate home needs. That heating emphasis makes ducted a natural whole-home choice here, and efficiency in the cold is a key specification rather than an afterthought.
The city's Victorian and Edwardian housing is the complication: period homes have no ducting cavities, plaster ceilings and heritage constraints, so a ducted retrofit is involved and sometimes tips owners toward multiple split systems instead. The deep local trade pool keeps planned installs competitive, and a licensed electrician and refrigerant-handling licence are required. For a Melbourne ducted system, the heating-driven sizing and the difficulty of ducting an old home are the two things that shape the quote.
Compare against the national picture: Ducted Air Conditioning Cost in Australia →
Ducted Air Conditioning Cost in other cities
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.