Air conditioning installation in North Brisbane costs from $1,120 inc GST for a back-to-back split system install (unit supplied). Including the unit, a typical single split system costs $1,300 to $4,500 installed, a multi-head system $4,000 to $9,000, and ducted air conditioning $8,000 to $22,000 installed (2026 prices). This guide breaks down exactly what North Brisbane homeowners pay by system size, and what makes a quote go up or down.
Cost Breakdown by Size (Unit + Installation)
Air conditioning installation cost in Brisbane depends on the size of the system, the type of property, how complex the installation is, and whether any electrical upgrades are needed at the same time. For homeowners in North Lakes, Redcliffe, Mango Hill, Kallangur and Chermside, here is what you can expect to pay in 2026.
| System type / size | Typical installed cost (unit + install) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5kW (small bedroom) | $1,300 – $2,100 | Bedroom, study, nursery |
| 3.5kW (medium room) | $1,800 – $2,400 | Bedroom, small living |
| 5.0–6.0kW (large living area) | $2,400 – $3,000 | Lounge, medium open-plan |
| 7.0kW+ (open-plan spaces) | $2,800 – $4,500 | Large open-plan living |
| Multi-head (2+ indoor units) | $4,000 – $9,000 | Cooling several rooms, one outdoor unit |
| Ducted (whole home) | $8,000 – $22,000 | Whole-home zoned comfort |
Connex Installation-Only Pricing (You Supply the Unit)
If you buy your own unit from a retailer such as Bunnings, Harvey Norman or The Good Guys, Connex Electrical can install it. These are our fixed installation-only fees, so you know the electrical and refrigeration work is done and certified by licensed trades:
- Back-to-back split install: from $1,120 inc GST (outdoor unit directly behind the indoor head)
- Up-and-over / harder install: from $1,200 (longer pipe runs, roof cavity or wall traverse)
- Condensate pump (where gravity drain is not possible): from $400
- Additional refrigeration pipework: from $40 per metre
- New dedicated circuit at the switchboard: from $300
- Labour rate (where quoted hourly): $185 per hour
Installation-only services (where you have already bought the unit) typically range from $600 to $1,000 around Brisbane for standard labour and materials. Our fixed back-to-back rate of $1,120 inc GST includes the licensed electrical work (the dedicated circuit) and the ARC-certified refrigeration work – not just the mechanical fitting – so the whole job is compliant and certified.
Not sure which capacity suits your room? Read our guide on what size split system you need before you buy, so you do not over- or under-size the unit.
What Influences the Price?
Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes. The biggest cost drivers are:
- Unit capacity and brand – a premium 7kW inverter costs far more than a budget 2.5kW.
- Installation type – a back-to-back install is the cheapest; long runs, upper storeys and tricky wall access add labour.
- Electrical work – many older North Brisbane homes need a dedicated circuit or a switchboard upgrade to run a new system safely.
- Drainage – if the condensate cannot gravity-drain, a pump adds to the cost.
- Number of rooms – multi-head and ducted systems cost more but cover the whole home.
Split vs Ducted: Which Costs Less?
Split systems are cheaper to buy, install and run per room – ideal if you cool one or two spaces. Ducted costs more up front ($8,000–$22,000) but delivers even, whole-home comfort from a single system. Running costs also differ: split systems run about $0.18–$1.00 per hour, ducted about $0.80–$3.00 per hour. See how much air con costs to run and our full ducted vs split air conditioning comparison to decide what is right for your home and budget.
Why Choose Connex Electrical for Air Conditioning in North Brisbane
- QLD Electrical Contractor licence #92217 and ARC Refrigeration licence #AU42842 – both trades in-house
- $20 million public liability insurance
- 5.0-star Google rating from over 513 reviews
- Fixed quotes with no hidden extras – you approve the price before we start
- Lifetime workmanship guarantee
Ready for a fixed price on your air conditioning installation? Call Connex Electrical on 0474 207 609 for a free, no-obligation quote anywhere in North Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region.
Frequently Asked Questions: Air Conditioning Installation Cost Brisbane
A back-to-back split system install starts from $1,120 including GST for supply-ready units. Once you include the unit itself, a typical single-room split system costs $1,300 to $4,500 installed in Brisbane depending on capacity and brand. Multi-head systems run $4,000 to $9,000, and ducted air conditioning costs $8,000 to $22,000 installed for a whole home. Connex Electrical provides fixed quotes so North Brisbane homeowners know the exact price before work begins.
A 3.5kW split system (suited to a bedroom or small living area) typically costs $1,300 to $2,600 installed in Brisbane, including the unit and a standard back-to-back installation. The Connex installation-only fee starts from $1,120 inc GST if you supply your own unit. Harder installs — long pipe runs, upper storeys or tricky wall access — add to the labour cost.
A 5kW split system (medium living area) typically costs $1,800 to $3,500 installed, and a 7kW to 8kW unit (large open-plan area) costs $2,500 to $4,500 installed in Brisbane. Price depends on brand, energy rating and installation complexity. Connex quotes each job fixed after a free assessment.
Ducted air conditioning costs $8,000 to $22,000 installed for a typical Brisbane home, depending on the number of zones, the size of the home and the capacity of the outdoor unit. A small 3 to 4 zone system starts around $8,000 to $12,000, while a large multi-zone home can reach $18,000 to $22,000. Ducted is the highest-value install and always needs a licensed electrician for the dedicated circuit.
The “$5,000 rule” is a rough guide some homeowners use: if the cost to repair an older air conditioner is more than $5,000, or more than roughly half the price of a new system, replacement is usually the smarter choice. For most Brisbane homes a new split system costs less than a major compressor repair on an ageing unit, so replacement often wins on both cost and running efficiency.
Split systems are cheaper to run per room — roughly $0.18 to $1.00 per hour — because you only cool the rooms you use. Ducted air conditioning costs more to run ($0.80 to $3.00 per hour) but cools the whole home evenly. If you cool one or two rooms most of the time, split is cheaper; if you want whole-home comfort, ducted is more convenient. See our guide on ducted vs split air conditioning for a full comparison.
If you buy a unit from Bunnings, Harvey Norman or The Good Guys and arrange your own installation, the install-only cost through a licensed electrician and refrigeration technician starts from $1,120 inc GST for a standard back-to-back split. Retailer “installed” prices can look cheaper but often exclude electrical work, extra pipework or a switchboard upgrade — Connex gives one fixed all-in quote with no surprises.
Quotes vary because of unit capacity and brand, back-to-back versus long or upper-storey pipe runs, whether a condensate pump is needed, and whether your switchboard needs a dedicated circuit or upgrade. A straightforward back-to-back split is the cheapest; multi-storey, long-run or ducted jobs cost more. Always compare fixed quotes that spell out exactly what is included.
Yes. In Queensland, air conditioning installation requires a licensed electrician for the electrical connection and dedicated circuit, plus an ARC-licensed refrigeration technician for the refrigerant work. Connex Electrical holds QLD Electrical Contractor licence #92217 and ARC Refrigeration licence #AU42842, so both parts of the job are covered in-house and certified.
Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager (Lead Electrician, Connex Lic #92217) and Darren Standring (Owner).