Ducted air conditioning
cost in Melbourne

$8,000–$16,000 installed for most Melbourne homes. Single-storey zoned systems run $8,000–$12,000; larger two-storey homes run $12,000–$16,000. Roof cavity access and zone count set where you land, the unit itself is typically only 40–50% of the price.

It's become the default Melbourne upgrade: one system heats and cools, running costs beat old ducted gas for most homes, the ACT-style gas exit is coming and VEU discounts can offset part of the install. The existing duct layout sometimes carries over, which is worth thousands, have installers assess the ducts before anyone quotes a full new system.

Usually, and by a lot: a like-for-like changeover reusing sound ductwork runs about $8,000–$12,000 in Melbourne, skipping most of the labour. Get the ducts inspected first, old leaky runs can eat the saving in running costs and are sometimes worth replacing anyway.

For 1–3 rooms, splits win on install and running cost. From 4+ daily-use rooms, ducted becomes competitive per room and wins on whole-home coverage and aesthetics. Our split vs ducted calculator runs both totals for your home in thirty seconds, free, no email.

1–2 days on site for a straightforward single-storey install, 2–3 days for two-storey or complex zoning, after a proper site visit and quote, ducted is never priced accurately over the phone. In peak summer, add 2–4 weeks of queue before the crew arrives.