How Much Does a Split System Cost in Australia? [2026 Guide]

A quality split system usually costs around $765 to $1,600 (supply-only) in Australia in 2026.

Add $600 to $1,200 for a standard metro installation and the total for a bedroom unit runs $1,400 to $2,800. A living-area system at 5kW to 7kW typically lands between $2,000 and $3,500 supplied and installed.

The range is wide because four variables drive the final number: the kilowatt capacity you need, the brand you choose, the complexity of the installation, and your location.

This guide breaks down each cost so you can build an accurate budget before you talk to an installer, with real prices from our store rather than estimates.

In this article

• Supply price vs installed price: what the difference means
• Split system supply prices in 2026
• Installation cost guide
• Total cost by room size
• Running costs: what you'll pay per year
• What affects your final quote?
• Shop by budget
• Frequently asked questions

Supply price vs installed price: what the difference means

Every split system price you see at an online retailer is a supply price: the cost of the unit delivered to your door. It does not include installation. Installation is a separate cost, arranged with a licensed refrigerant technician after you receive the unit.

Some local installers offer supply-and-install packages where they source the unit and install it in one job. This is convenient but you typically pay a retail margin on the unit.

Buying the unit online at the supply price and arranging installation separately often works out cheaper, particularly on premium models where the supply-price saving over a local installer's package price can be $200 to $500.

In either case, the installation must be carried out by a licensed refrigerant technician holding a current ARC tick certification. This is a legal requirement in Australia, not optional, and skipping it voids your manufacturer warranty immediately.

Split system supply prices in 2026

Supply prices in our store run from $764.99 for the budget-tier Midea Athena to $1,599 for the Fujitsu Comfort at entry size. The table below shows current prices from our range across the three main tiers.

Tier	Model	Supply price (from)	Warranty	Best for
Budget	Midea Athena	$764.99	10-year (Aus)	Rentals, secondary rooms
Mid-range	Daikin Lite	$1,139.84	5-year P&L	Entry-level Daikin reliability
Mid-range	Samsung AI Smart Aero	$948.51	5-year P&L	Smart home integration
Premium	Daikin Cora	$1,262.33	5-year P&L	Best all-round value
Premium	Daikin Alira X	$1,179.05	5-year P&L	Air quality, built-in Wi-Fi
Premium	Samsung Arise Windfree	$1,455.82	5-year P&L	Quiet bedrooms

Prices shown are for the entry-level size within each model's range. Select your required kilowatt capacity on each product page to see that specific variant's current price.

Larger capacities cost more: a Daikin Cora 7.1kW costs more than a Cora 2kW, with all sizes listed on the product page.

Installation cost guide

Installation labour in Australian metro areas typically runs $600 to $1,200 for a standard single-unit job. The key factor is installation complexity, not the brand of unit.

Install type	Labour cost (metro)	What it involves
Back-to-back	$600 to $750	Pipe run under 1m straight through an external wall. Simplest possible job.
Standard install	$700 to $1,000	Pipe runs 2 to 6m. Most Australian single-storey home installations.
Complex install	$1,000 to $1,500+	Long pipe runs (6m+), double-brick walls, upper-storey install, difficult roof access.
Materials on top	$100 to $350	Copper pipe, wall bracket, insulation, electrical cabling. Some installers include these in the labour quote; confirm before booking.

Licensed installers typically charge $80 to $150 per hour. A straightforward single-room install takes 3 to 5 hours from arrival to sign-off. The variation is mostly in pipe runs and wall penetration difficulty.

Always ask your installer to confirm their ARC tick number before work begins. Verify it on the Australian Refrigeration Council's public register if you want to be certain.

In the Sydney and Sutherland Shire area, our own team can handle both supply and installation. Call us on 1300 156 466 for a quote.

Total cost by room size

The figures below combine our store's supply prices with typical metro installation labour. Actual totals vary depending on brand choice, install complexity, and your location.

Room	Capacity	Supply price (our store)	+ Installation	Total estimate
Small bedroom / study	2 to 2.5kW	From $764.99	$600 to $900	~$1,400 to $1,700
Master bedroom	2.5 to 3.5kW	From $948.51	$700 to $1,000	~$1,650 to $2,500
Medium living area	5kW	From $1,179.05	$750 to $1,100	~$1,950 to $2,300
Large open-plan living	7.1kW	From $1,262.33	$800 to $1,200	~$2,100 to $2,500

Not sure which capacity your room needs? Use our split system size calculator before ordering. Getting the kW wrong is a more expensive mistake than choosing a slightly dearer brand.

Running costs: what you'll pay per year

The purchase and installation cost is a one-off. Running costs accumulate over the life of the unit, which makes energy efficiency a genuine financial consideration, not just an environmental one.

Unit size	Running cost per hour	8 hrs/day, 90-day summer	Annual (cooling + heating)
2.5kW (bedroom)	~$0.25 to $0.35	~$180 to $250	~$300 to $450
5kW (living area)	~$0.43 to $0.55	~$310 to $400	~$500 to $700
7kW (large living)	~$0.61 to $0.78	~$440 to $560	~$700 to $950

These figures assume an average electricity rate of 30 to 35 cents per kWh (Australian metro average in 2026) and a unit running at partial load, which is typical of an inverter system maintaining temperature rather than pulling up to temperature.

Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate, how often the room is occupied, and how efficiently the unit was sized for the room.

A correctly sized unit with a high energy star rating costs meaningfully less to run than an oversized or poorly rated unit.

The Daikin Cora 2.5kW carries a 6-star cooling rating, meaning it moves more cooling per watt than a 4-star unit at the same capacity. Over 10 years of daily use, that difference adds up to hundreds of dollars.

What affects your final quote?

Capacity (kW). Every step up in kilowatts adds cost at both the supply and installation stage. Going from a 2.5kW to a 5kW unit at the same brand tier typically adds $150 to $400 supply, plus a marginal increase in installation for the slightly larger outdoor unit.

Brand tier. A budget brand at 2.5kW can cost $600 supply; a premium brand at the same capacity costs $900 to $1,300. The difference buys longer warranty coverage, better energy ratings, and for Daikin specifically, an authorised dealer warranty rather than a retailer warranty.

Wall and access type. A standard brick veneer wall on the ground floor is the simplest job. A double-brick wall requires a core drill and more labour time. Upper-storey installations require scaffolding or a long ladder setup. Both add $150 to $400 to the labour cost.

Pipe run length. The refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor and outdoor units is sold by the metre. Standard installations include 3 to 5 metres. Beyond that, your installer charges for additional pipe at $20 to $40 per metre plus labour for running it neatly to the outdoor unit location.

Shop by budget

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 2.5kW split system cost installed in Australia?

A 2.5kW split system typically costs $1,200 to $1,800 supplied and installed in Australian metro areas in 2026. At the lower end: a budget brand like Midea with a straightforward back-to-back install.

At the upper end: a premium Daikin with a standard pipe run and materials. Regional installs add to the labour cost depending on travel and local tradesperson rates.

How much does a 5kW split system cost installed?

Expect $1,900 to $2,800 for a 5kW split system supplied and installed in a metro area. The supply price for a quality 5kW unit runs $1,100 to $1,500 from our store, with installation adding $700 to $1,100 depending on wall type and pipe run length.

The 5kW is the most common living-area size for Australian homes with rooms between 30 and 45 square metres.

Is it cheaper to buy the unit online and get my own installer?

Often yes, particularly on mid-range and premium models. Online supply prices are typically $200 to $500 cheaper than what a local installer includes in a supply-and-install package.

The saving comes from buying at retail rather than through a contractor's supply chain. The trade-off is coordinating two separate purchases rather than one. Many licensed technicians are happy to install a supplied unit; just confirm this before ordering.

Are there government rebates on split system air conditioners in Australia?

In New South Wales, the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides rebates on qualifying high-efficiency reverse-cycle systems. The rebate amount varies based on the unit's energy star rating and property type.

Victoria has the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme with similar incentives for high-efficiency units. Check the relevant state government energy website for current eligibility requirements, as rebate amounts change periodically.

How long does a split system installation take?

A standard single-unit installation takes 3 to 5 hours from start to finish. Back-to-back installs on an external wall sit at the lower end. Jobs involving long pipe runs, brick wall penetrations, or upper-storey installations take 5 to 7 hours.

A good installer will give you a time estimate when they quote. For the Sydney and Sutherland Shire area, our team is available on 1300 156 466 for quotes and bookings.