Work out your installed cost in four steps
In short
Split-system installation cost depends on the unit, its location, pipework, electrical work and access. Your total may also include removal and disposal of an existing system. A unit-only price excludes installation, and a standard installation package can have extra charges. Get current written quotes for your property, with supply and installation shown separately. This guide does not give a national dollar range because a price without a defined scope would not establish your installed cost.
Step 1
Separate the unit price from the installation
Ask for a breakdown even when one company supplies and installs the system. If you have already bought a unit, give the installer its exact model before requesting a quote.
A “back-to-back” installation usually places the outdoor unit on the other side of the wall from the indoor unit. Package limits vary. For example, Bunnings lists pipework and cable allowances and says additional pipework can attract extra charges. Its package describes a particular service, not an Australian average price.
What the installed total should account for
| Cost item | Ask the quote to specify |
|---|---|
| Unit supply | Brand, model, heating and cooling capacity, delivery and whether you or the installer supplies it. |
| Installation | Indoor and outdoor locations, mounting, pipework, pipe covers, drainage and testing. |
| Electrical work | Included wiring and connection work, and whether a new circuit or switchboard work needs separate pricing. |
| Access | Any charges for upper floors, roof locations, lifting equipment, difficult access or travel. |
| Old system | Decommissioning, refrigerant recovery, removal and disposal. Have each inclusion confirmed. |
| Finishing and paperwork | Wall repairs, clean-up, required compliance documents and the total including GST where applicable. |
Step 2
Have the system and location assessed
Describe the rooms you want to heat or cool and ask the installer to confirm suitable capacity and placement. Energy.gov.au recommends choosing a model for your home’s layout and needs, and comparing its Zoned Energy Rating Label for your climate. That label helps assess running costs; it is not an installation quote.
Send photos of the room, proposed outdoor location and access route. Ask whether a site visit is needed to confirm the price and whether that visit has a fee. Tell the company about any landlord or body corporate approval still needed.
Step 3
Check who will do the refrigerant and electrical work
Use the Australian Refrigeration Council’s licence checker to check the technician’s current Refrigerant Handling Licence and licence type. ARC licence types cover different work, so confirm that the type suits installation and any decommissioning of your old system.
Refrigerant licensing and electrical licensing cover different work. Ask who will perform the electrical work and check the relevant licence with your state or territory regulator. Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office, for example, requires a licence authorising the electrical work. Additional trade licensing requirements depend on where the job is located.
Step 4
Compare the same scope before accepting
Give each company the same site details and ask them to quote the same model or clearly identify alternatives. A cheaper unit-only offer and a supply-and-install quote have different totals. The QBCC recommends comparing the same tasks, materials and timelines and checking additional fees.
Resolve exclusions in writing. If something needs inspection, ask when the company can confirm it and how extra work will be priced and agreed. Keep the product warranty and installation warranty details with the quote.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 6 October 2026
- Australian Government: heating and cooling
System selection, climate-based energy ratings and advice on installation. Does not provide a national installation price.
- Australian Refrigeration Council: licence check
Checks current Refrigerant Handling Licence status and licence type. This is not a state electrical licence check.
- Australian Refrigeration Council: licence types
Permitted refrigerant work differs by licence type.
- Queensland Electrical Safety Office: licensed electrical work
Queensland electrical licensing guidance. Check your own state or territory regulator for local requirements.
- Bunnings Australia: air-conditioning installation service
Retailer example of installation allowances and extra pipework charges. Package terms and availability are specific to this service.
- QBCC: seeking and comparing quotes
Queensland guidance on consistent scope, site visits and additional fees. No Queensland legal thresholds are applied nationally here.
