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How an air conditioning installer works out the price
An air conditioning installer usually quotes supply and installation as one price. The unit depends on capacity in kW and features, and installation covers mounting the indoor and outdoor units, running pipework and wiring, commissioning and tidying up. Complex jobs, such as a long pipe run, a second storey or new electrical work, are priced on top.
- Work out the size in kW for the room or rooms, and the system type
- Price the unit or units
- Price installation labour: mounting, pipework, drainage and wiring
- Add extras: longer pipe run, new circuit, brackets, second-storey access
- Commissioning, handover and GST on the total if the quote says it applies
Worked example: Single split system, one living room, easy access (illustrative, not a quote)
- Split system unit, mid-range brand
- $1,900
- Installation labour
- $1,100
- Standard pipe run, brackets and electrical connection
- $300
- Total
- $3,300 total (illustrative)
What it costs, by scenario
Low, typical and high prices. Built on 15 October 2026 from Australian comparison-site, retailer and manufacturer price guides and the Australian Refrigeration Council and state regulator pages. Each range stays inside figures that at least two publishers' ranges share; GST basis is not confirmed by the sources.
Single split system, one room, supply and install (per system)
Four guides overlap between $1,800 and $4,800, and typical is the middle of that shared range. Capacity, brand and features move the unit price, and one guide puts installation alone at about $1,000 to $1,200.
- Low
- $1,800
- Typical
- $3,300
- High
- $4,800
Multi-split system, several rooms, supply and install (per system)
Two guides share $4,200 to $8,000, so we use that range, and typical is its middle. Each extra indoor unit adds cost for pipework and wiring.
- Low
- $4,200
- Typical
- $6,000
- High
- $8,000
Ducted reverse cycle, whole home, supply and install (per system)
Guides disagree widely, from under $8,000 to over $20,000. Two overlap between roughly $12,000 and $16,000, and we use that. Home size, zones, number of storeys and ductwork changes drive the rest.
- Low
- $12,000
- Typical
- $14,000
- High
- $16,000
| Scenario | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single split system, one room, supply and install (per system)Four guides overlap between $1,800 and $4,800, and typical is the middle of that shared range. Capacity, brand and features move the unit price, and one guide puts installation alone at about $1,000 to $1,200. | $1,800 | $3,300 | $4,800 |
| Multi-split system, several rooms, supply and install (per system)Two guides share $4,200 to $8,000, so we use that range, and typical is its middle. Each extra indoor unit adds cost for pipework and wiring. | $4,200 | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| Ducted reverse cycle, whole home, supply and install (per system)Guides disagree widely, from under $8,000 to over $20,000. Two overlap between roughly $12,000 and $16,000, and we use that. Home size, zones, number of storeys and ductwork changes drive the rest. | $12,000 | $14,000 | $16,000 |
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- System type. Split systems are cheapest. Multi-splits need extra pipework to each room, and ducted systems need ductwork through the roof or floor.
- Capacity in kW. Larger rooms need larger units, which cost more and can be harder to install.
- Pipe run and outdoor unit position. A longer run between the indoor and outdoor units needs more pipe, and may need extra refrigerant.
- Wall and roof construction. Brick, double brick or a hard-to-reach roof space takes longer than plasterboard with easy access.
- Number of storeys. Second-storey indoor or outdoor units need more time, safety gear and often a second person.
- Electrical work. A new circuit, switchboard upgrade or longer cable run adds to the quote.
What's usually included, and what isn't
Usually included
- The unit or units for the quoted capacity
- Mounting the indoor and outdoor units
- Pipework, drainage and wiring for a standard run
- Commissioning and a walkthrough of the controls
Often extra
- Extra pipe length, a new circuit or a switchboard upgrade beyond a standard install
- Removing and disposing of an old unit, unless the quote says so
- Patching and painting walls, or building a platform for the outdoor unit
- Warranty registration and commissioning, which some quotes leave out
Metro and regional differences
Metro: Wages and demand are higher in the big cities. One comparison site puts labour at about $104 an hour in Sydney and Melbourne.
Regional: The same site puts regional labour at about $62 an hour, but a longer drive and fewer installers can add travel fees in remote areas.
Licensing and compliance
Installing a split system involves handling refrigerant, which needs a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).
The ARC says the restricted split system licence (RSS03) covers installing and decommissioning single-head split systems under 18 kW, and its licence-type page does not list multi-head systems under that licence, so ask a multi-split installer which licence they hold.
Connecting the unit to power is electrical work.
Energy Safe Victoria lists air conditioning as non-prescribed electrical work that a licensed electrical worker must do, with a Certificate of Electrical Safety due no later than 30 days after the work.
Building Commission NSW says any electrical wiring work must be done by or under the supervision of a licensed electrician, though its page does not mention air conditioners.
We did not open the electrical or plumbing rules for Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory, so check your state regulator.
Ask for the installer's ARC licence number and electrical licence number.
Before you accept a quote, check
- What kW capacity and brand is the unit, and is it sized for your room?
- Does the price include the unit, installation, pipework and electrical connection?
- How long a pipe run does the price assume, and what does extra length cost?
- Does the installer hold an ARC refrigerant handling licence and a state electrical licence?
- Is commissioning and warranty registration included?
- Does the quote say whether GST is included?
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to air condition one room?
A single split system. Our range is about $1,800 to $4,800 for the unit and installation together, and the capacity and brand decide where in that range you land.
How much of the price is installation?
One guide puts installation alone at about $1,000 to $1,200 for a single split system, and the rest is the unit. Labour rates are higher in the big cities.
Do I need a licensed electrician as well as a refrigerant licence?
Connecting the unit to power is electrical work. In Victoria and New South Wales, whose pages we opened, a licensed electrician must do the wiring. The refrigerant licence is a separate ARC licence.
Why is ducted so much dearer than a split system?
Ducted systems need ductwork through the whole home, a larger central unit and zone controls. Guides range from under $8,000 to over $20,000, so get itemised quotes.
Is a multi-split cheaper than several single splits?
Not always. Multi-splits share one outdoor unit, which saves space, but the pipework to each room adds cost. Compare a multi-split quote against separate splits for the same rooms.
What can push the price up after the quote?
Surprises such as insulation problems, wall or ceiling types, access issues and wiring found on the day. Ask how the installer handles extras before work starts.
Sources and method
Built on 15 October 2026 from Australian comparison-site, retailer and manufacturer price guides and the Australian Refrigeration Council and state regulator pages. Each range stays inside figures that at least two publishers' ranges share; GST basis is not confirmed by the sources. How we calculate our guides.
- SolarQuotes: what aircon installs cost in 2026 (marketplace, 28 January 2026)
- Airtasker: air conditioner installation cost (marketplace, 25 August 2026)
- SmarterAir: cost to install an air conditioner in Australia (supplier, 4 October 2026)
- Midea: air conditioning installation costs (supplier, 11 February 2025)
- Australian Refrigeration Council: licence types (regulator, 15 October 2026)
- Australian Refrigeration Council: frequently asked questions (regulator, 15 October 2026)
- Energy Safe Victoria: Certificates of Electrical Safety (regulator, 17 September 2026)
- Building Commission NSW: electrical compliance requirements (regulator, 1 July 2026)
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