On this page10 sections
- How much does it cost to have air conditioning?
- Air conditioning costs by system type
- What different types of air conditioning are available?
- What size air conditioning unit should I choose?
- Air con running costs
- How much do air con installers charge?
- Does my air con installer need to be licensed?
- Getting air con quotes
- Further reading
- FAQs
How much does it cost to have air conditioning?
What you pay depends on the type of system, its size, how hard it is to install, and whether the price includes the unit itself. A single small split system in a bedroom sits at the bottom of the range. A ducted system that cools and heats the whole house sits at the top.
These are the prices air conditioning businesses quoted for common jobs through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026:
| Job | Typical quote | Most quotes fell between |
|---|---|---|
| Split system, up to 3.5 kW, supplied and installed | $1,500 | $1,100 to $2,100 |
| Service or clean | $300 | $250 to $450 |
| Repair or fault-finding | $300 | $250 to $450 |
The service and repair rows cover the job descriptions in those quotes; they are not a price for one standard unit or a promise that every part is included. Ask whether parts, refrigerant, access and additional work are covered.
Air conditioning costs by system type
Small split systems
A small split system suits a bedroom, study or small living area. An indicative allowance for a small unit alone is roughly $600 to $750; confirm current model prices with your supplier. Supplied and installed, the typical quote through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026 was $1,500, with most quotes between $1,100 and $2,100.
Larger split systems
Larger split systems, from about 5 kW, are for open-plan living areas and bigger rooms, and they also suit offices and small commercial spaces. Supplied and installed, a 7 to 8 kW split system generally costs about $2,400 to $4,500, depending on the brand and how hard it is to install. A bigger unit usually costs more to buy and its outdoor unit is heavier to mount, so ask for a quote after the installer has seen the room and where the outdoor unit will go. Commercial jobs are quoted after a site visit.
Multi-head split systems
A multi-head system runs two or more indoor units from one outdoor unit. You get one outdoor unit on the wall instead of several. It is a bigger job than a single split, and only an installer with a full refrigeration and air conditioning licence can install one (see the licensing section below).
Ducted systems
Ducted systems are the most expensive option to buy and install. Supplied and installed, a ducted reverse cycle system for a three- or four-bedroom home generally costs about $10,000 to $18,000, and large or double-storey homes can cost more than $20,000. The price depends on the size of the home, the number of zones, the ceiling space and whether ducting is already in place. Get several itemised quotes, each based on a site visit.
What different types of air conditioning are available?
Portable air conditioners
A portable unit plugs into a power point and vents hot air through a hose out of a window. It needs no installer and suits a renter or a single room. It is noisier and cools less than a fixed system.
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Split systems
A split system has an indoor unit, usually mounted high on a wall, and an outdoor unit joined by refrigerant pipes and cabling. Each indoor unit cools or heats one room or area, so a whole house may need several. A reverse cycle split system heats as well as cools.
Ducted air conditioning
Ducted air conditioning, sometimes called central air, sits in the roof space and pushes air through ducts to vents in each room. With zoning you can cool the bedrooms at night and leave the rest of the house off. Only the vents show, and it is the most expensive option.
Evaporative cooling
Evaporative coolers pull outside air through wet pads and blow it into the house. They work best in dry heat and struggle on humid days. Refrigerated air conditioning (split and ducted systems) works in any climate and can also heat.
What size air conditioning unit should I choose?
Air conditioners in Australia are sized by their cooling capacity in kilowatts (kW). A unit that is too small runs flat out and never cools the room. One that is too big costs more to buy and cycles on and off. A good installer works out the size from:
- the floor area and ceiling height of the room
- how much sun the room gets, and the size and direction of its windows
- how well the ceiling and walls are insulated
- whether the room opens onto other areas you also want to cool
If you are cooling an open-plan area or several rooms, ask the installer to compare one larger unit with two smaller ones or a ducted system.
Air con running costs
What an air conditioner costs to run depends on its size and energy rating, your electricity tariff, how many hours you use it, and how well the home holds its temperature. Insulation, window coverings and shade over the outdoor unit all help. Poor ceiling insulation makes any system work harder. Our insulation cost guide covers what it costs to fix.
To compare running costs between models, check the Energy Rating label: more stars means the unit uses less energy for the same output. The government's Energy Rating website provides energy labels and model-comparison information; use the energy consumption figures and your electricity tariff to compare running costs.
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How much do air con installers charge?
Some installers quote a fixed price for the job and others an hourly rate plus materials. Licensed installers generally charge about $80 to $150 an hour. Either way, these things move the price:
- Whether the unit is included. Some quotes are for installation only, with a unit you have already bought.
- Where the units go. A back-to-back install, with the indoor and outdoor units on opposite sides of the same wall, is the simplest. Long pipe runs, a second storey or a roof-mounted outdoor unit add time.
- The wall. Drilling through double brick takes longer than through a stud wall.
- Electrical work. A new circuit or a switchboard upgrade adds cost. Our electrician cost guide has typical prices.
- Removing the old unit. Taking out and disposing of an old system, including recovering its refrigerant, is often charged separately.
For more detail on installation pricing, see our guide to air conditioning installation costs.
Tip: Ask every installer to quote the same scope: unit size, whether the unit is included, where both units go, the electrical connection and removal of the old unit. Then you are comparing like with like.
Does my air con installer need to be licensed?
Yes. Anyone who installs, services, repairs or removes an air conditioner and handles refrigerant needs a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).
The ARC issues two kinds of licence for this work. A full refrigeration and air conditioning licence covers any system. A restricted split system licence covers installing and decommissioning single-head split systems under 18 kW only. Its holders cannot install multi-head systems or do service and repair work that involves the refrigerant. You can check an installer's licence on the ARC website.
The electrical side is separate. Wiring a new circuit, isolator or switchboard work for an air conditioner must be done by someone licensed for electrical work in your state, usually a licensed electrician. Rules on what an air conditioning technician can connect differ between states and licence classes. In Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria says new split-system installation wiring must be done by an A-class electrician working under a registered electrical contractor. Ask who will handle the electrical scope and check the licence.
Getting air con quotes
Get a few quotes and compare them line by line. Each one should say what unit is being supplied, its size in kW, what installation includes, who does the electrical connection and what warranty covers the work. Ask for the installer's ARC licence number and check it.
Keep the system running well once it is in. Clean the indoor filters regularly, keep plants and clutter clear of the outdoor unit, and book a service if it starts making new noises, smells or struggles to cool. Our air conditioning maintenance guide covers what to do yourself.