How much does an appliance repair cost?

On this page

How an appliance repairer works out the price
What it costs, by scenario
What changes the price
What's usually included, and what isn't
Metro and regional differences
Licensing and compliance
Before you accept a quote, check
Frequently asked questions
Sources and method

How an appliance repairer works out the price

An appliance repairer usually charges a service-call or diagnosis fee to attend and find the fault, then labour and parts for the repair. Some repairers include the first 30 minutes of labour in the call-out and charge extra time in 10, 15 or 30 minute blocks. If you decline the repair, the call-out fee is usually still payable, though some repairers credit it against the repair, so ask first. Repair prices in guides vary by whether they include the call-out.

Service-call or diagnosis fee to attend and assess the fault
Labour for the repair, often with a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour
Parts, which range from a few dollars for a hose to several hundred for a control board
Extra for premium or European brands at some repairers
GST on the total, if it is not already included

Worked example: Washing machine that will not drain, replace the drain pump (illustrative, not a quote)

Service call and diagnosis: $170
Drain pump part (the middle of a $30 to $70 range): $50
Labour, 1 hour at $125 (the middle of $90 to $160 an hour): $125
Total: $345 total (illustrative)

What it costs, by scenario

Low, typical and high prices. Built on 19 October 2026 from a marketplace price page, a compiled GST-inclusive cost guide, a parts retailer's repair guide, two repairers' published service-call fees and state regulator pages. Repair ranges stay inside figures the two cost guides share; fridge repair rests on one source; GST basis differs by source so it is left unconfirmed.

Service call and diagnosis fee (per visit)
Two repairers publish GST-inclusive fees of $170 to $195 in Sydney and a flat $188 in Melbourne. Guides give $80 to $180 and $100 to $165. Some include the first 30 minutes of labour.
Low
$100
Typical
$170
High
$195
Washing machine repair, common faults (per repair)
A parts retailer gives $200 to $450 plus call-out and a compiled guide gives $180 to $400. We use the range they share. Bearings or control boards can run up to $750 in the compiled guide.
Low
$200
Typical
$300
High
$400
Dishwasher repair, common faults (per repair)
The two guides give $200 to $420 plus call-out and $180 to $380. Circulation pumps or boards can run to $650 in the compiled guide.
Low
$200
Typical
$280
High
$380
Oven or cooktop repair (per repair)
A parts retailer gives $220 to $480 and a compiled guide gives $160 to $380 for an electric wall oven. Gas ovens and induction cooktops can differ.
Low
$220
Typical
$300
High
$380
Clothes dryer repair (per repair)
The two guides give $180 to $380 and $150 to $320, so we use the range they share. Motors or heat pump faults run higher.
Low
$180
Typical
$250
High
$320
Fridge or freezer repair, common faults (per repair)
One compiled guide only. It puts compressor or gas faults at $600 to $1,200, which is where repair versus replace becomes a real question.
Low
$180
Typical
$300
High
$450
Appliance technician job posted on a marketplace (per job)
Airtasker's price chart for posted tasks. It runs below repairers' rate sheets, and the page does not say what the jobs include.
Low
$117
Typical
$145
High
$170

Low, typical and high prices by scenario
Scenario	Low	Typical	High
Service call and diagnosis fee (per visit)Two repairers publish GST-inclusive fees of $170 to $195 in Sydney and a flat $188 in Melbourne. Guides give $80 to $180 and $100 to $165. Some include the first 30 minutes of labour.	$100	$170	$195
Washing machine repair, common faults (per repair)A parts retailer gives $200 to $450 plus call-out and a compiled guide gives $180 to $400. We use the range they share. Bearings or control boards can run up to $750 in the compiled guide.	$200	$300	$400
Dishwasher repair, common faults (per repair)The two guides give $200 to $420 plus call-out and $180 to $380. Circulation pumps or boards can run to $650 in the compiled guide.	$200	$280	$380
Oven or cooktop repair (per repair)A parts retailer gives $220 to $480 and a compiled guide gives $160 to $380 for an electric wall oven. Gas ovens and induction cooktops can differ.	$220	$300	$380
Clothes dryer repair (per repair)The two guides give $180 to $380 and $150 to $320, so we use the range they share. Motors or heat pump faults run higher.	$180	$250	$320
Fridge or freezer repair, common faults (per repair)One compiled guide only. It puts compressor or gas faults at $600 to $1,200, which is where repair versus replace becomes a real question.	$180	$300	$450
Appliance technician job posted on a marketplace (per job)Airtasker's price chart for posted tasks. It runs below repairers' rate sheets, and the page does not say what the jobs include.	$117	$145	$170

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What changes the price

Appliance type and fault. A blocked pump or worn belt is a short job. A control board, motor or sealed-system fault costs several times more.
Brand. Some repairers charge more for European brands. One Sydney repairer's service call is $170 for fridges, washers and dryers and $195 for Miele, AEG, Glen Dimplex and Siemens.
Call-out and minimum time. Many repairers charge for the visit and a first block of labour whether or not the repair goes ahead.
Parts and their cost. A drain pump can be $30 to $70, an inlet valve $11 to $45 and a door seal $44 to $89 in one retailer's guide. Rare parts cost more and take longer.
Age of the appliance. On an older machine a repair that costs a large share of a new one may not be worth it.
Location. Call-outs run higher in Sydney and Canberra in one compiled guide. Outer suburbs may add travel.

What's usually included, and what isn't

Usually included

Travel to your home and an assessment of the fault
A quote for the repair after diagnosis
Labour for the agreed repair
Testing that the appliance works before the repairer leaves
A warranty on parts or workmanship, at some repairers

Often extra

Parts, unless the quote says they are included
A second visit if a part has to be ordered, at some repairers
Extra time beyond the first block of labour
Repairing more than one appliance on the same call-out
Gas or refrigerant work that needs a separate licensed provider

Metro and regional differences

Metro: Capital cities have more repairers and competition, but call-outs are higher: one compiled guide puts $80 to $180 as standard in the capitals, with Sydney and Canberra at the higher end, $120 to $180. Wages, parking and travel time explain much of it.

Regional: Our sources give no regional prices. A longer drive to reach you can add to the call-out, and with fewer repairers nearby you may have fewer quotes to compare. Parts for less common brands may take longer to arrive.

Licensing and compliance

Whether you need a licensed worker depends on the state and the appliance, and we could confirm only part of it.

Victoria: Energy Safe Victoria says plug-in equipment, that is easily transportable and connected by a plug to a socket, does not need a restricted electrical licence, while equipment fixed into position and connected directly to the mains does, and a Certificate of Electrical Safety must be issued afterwards.

Its guidance lists an appliance repair technician for electrical appliances.

Western Australia: the Electrical Licensing Board, supported by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, says electrical work, which includes work on appliances supplied above 50 volts alternating current, can only be done by qualified people with a licence.

We could not open the regulator pages for New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory, so check your state electrical regulator for hard-wired appliances.

One retailer's guide says sealed refrigeration faults need licensed handling, and gas appliances are licensed separately; we did not confirm the rules by state.

Ask for the licence number and a certificate where your state requires one.

Before you accept a quote, check

What is the call-out or diagnosis fee, and is any labour included?
Is the fee payable if you decide not to go ahead with the repair?
Is the call-out credited against the repair if you proceed?
What does the repairer charge per extra block of time?
Does the quote say whether GST is included?
What warranty applies to the parts and the workmanship?
What is the repairer's view on repairing versus replacing, in writing if possible?

Frequently asked questions

How much is a call-out fee for an appliance repairer?

Two repairers publish GST-inclusive service calls of $170 to $195 in Sydney and a flat $188 in Melbourne. Cost guides give $80 to $180 and $100 to $165. Ask what the fee includes.

Is it worth repairing or should I replace the appliance?

A compiled guide says replacing is usually the better call when the repair costs more than about half the price of a comparable new appliance and the machine is past the middle of its expected life. It is one source's rule of thumb, not a legal test.

Do consumer guarantees cover appliance repairs?

Under the Australian Consumer Law, products must be of acceptable quality, among other guarantees. Consumer Protection WA says that for a major failure you can choose a refund or replacement, and for a minor one the business must provide a free repair or may offer a replacement or refund. This applies on top of any manufacturer's warranty. We could not open the ACCC page, so check it for the latest wording.

How much does a washing machine repair cost?

About $200 to $400 for common faults in our sources, plus a call-out. Bearings or control boards can reach $750 in one guide, and at that point a replacement may be worth pricing.

Does a fridge repair cost more?

Often. One compiled guide gives $180 to $450 for common faults and $600 to $1,200 for compressor or gas faults. Sealed refrigeration work needs licensed handling, according to one retailer's guide.

Do repairs come with a warranty?

Some do. One Melbourne repairer states 12 months on new replacement parts and 3 months on workmanship for applicable repairs. Ask what any repairer offers before you agree.

Sources and method

Built on 19 October 2026 from a marketplace price page, a compiled GST-inclusive cost guide, a parts retailer's repair guide, two repairers' published service-call fees and state regulator pages. Repair ranges stay inside figures the two cost guides share; fridge repair rests on one source; GST basis differs by source so it is left unconfirmed. How we calculate our guides.

Airtasker: appliance repair price chart (marketplace, 10 October 2026)
Yakka Labour: how much does appliance repair cost in Australia? (compiled guide, GST included) (survey, 1 October 2026)
Oz Appliance Spares: appliance repair cost Australia 2026 (parts retailer's guide) (supplier, 20 August 2026)
Sydney Appliance: service charges (Sydney metro, GST included) (supplier, 19 October 2026)
Appliances Repairs Online: pricing (Melbourne) (supplier, 19 October 2026)
Consumer Protection WA: returns, refunds, repairs and replacements (regulator, 6 March 2025)
Energy Safe Victoria: restricted electrical worker's licence (regulator, 1 July 2026)
WA Government: electrical licensing (regulator, 19 October 2026)

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