Bricklaying is one of the foundation trades in Australian construction. Brick veneer is the dominant residential building method across most of the country, and double brick remains the standard in Western Australia and parts of South Australia. Whether you are laying a 3-bedroom house, building a brick fence, or repointing a heritage facade, the way you quote determines whether you win the job and whether you make money on it.
This guide covers how Australian bricklayers quote residential and light commercial work in 2026. It includes rates sourced from ServiceSeeking, ServiceTasker, TradeHeroes, Boda Building Group, and industry supplier pricing. All rates are in Australian dollars and exclude GST unless stated otherwise.
Step 1: Calculate your true cost per hour
Before you price any job, know what it actually costs you to operate per hour. Add up:
- Wages or drawings (including super at 11.5%)
- Vehicle costs (ute, fuel, rego, insurance, trailer)
- Insurance (public liability, income protection, tool insurance)
- Tools and equipment (trowels, bolster, spirit levels, string lines, brick saw, mixer, scaffold, mortar boards, jointers)
- Licensing and training (annual licence renewal, White Card, CPD)
- Overheads (phone, accounting, software, PPE, sunscreen, hydration supplies)
Most Australian bricklayers land between $35 and $55 per hour in true cost before margin. Your charge-out rate covers this plus a 25-40% margin. On a per-brick or per-square-metre basis, the true cost builds into the rate automatically. If your per-brick rate does not cover your hourly cost multiplied by the hours the job actually takes, you lose money regardless of what competitors charge.
Step 2: Choose the right pricing model
Bricklaying uses three pricing models. The right one depends on the job type and how well you can define the scope before starting.
| Model | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Per brick / per thousand | New home builds, extensions, large wall areas | Price per brick laid (or per 1,000 bricks). Industry standard for residential construction. The builder or client supplies plans, you calculate brick count from wall areas and openings. Covers 60%+ of residential bricklaying work. Labour only or supply and install. |
| Per square metre | Feature walls, fencing, retaining walls, paving | Price per m2 of finished brickwork. Works well for jobs where area is the clearest measure. Common on commercial work and jobs quoted from drawings. Easy for clients to compare between trades. |
| Hourly / daily | Repairs, repointing, small jobs, investigation work | Charge per hour or per day. Best for work where scope is uncertain until you start (repointing, crack repair, heritage restoration). Clients accept hourly for small jobs but prefer fixed pricing on anything over a day. Quote a time estimate alongside the rate. |
Step 3: Know the market rates
Hourly rates by city (contractor charge-out, labour only)
| City | Typical range ($/hr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $70 - $110 | Highest demand, highest labour cost nationally |
| Melbourne | $65 - $105 | Strong market, brick veneer dominant |
| Brisbane | $60 - $95 | Growing market, block also common in flood zones |
| Perth | $80 - $120 | Double brick standard, higher rates reflect skill premium |
| Adelaide | $55 - $85 | Mix of brick veneer and double brick |
| Gold Coast | $60 - $95 | Similar to Brisbane, seasonal demand peaks |
| Canberra | $65 - $100 | Smaller market, cold climate adds cavity insulation work |
| Newcastle | $60 - $90 | Moderate demand, heritage repointing work common |
| Hobart | $55 - $85 | Smaller market, heritage work commands premiums |
| Darwin | $75 - $110 | Limited supply of bricklayers, tropical conditions factor |
These are contractor charge-out rates (what you quote the client), not employee wages. They cover your true cost plus margin. Employed bricklayers typically earn $28 to $45 per hour as a wage, with the business charging out at the rates above.
Per-brick and per-thousand rates (labour only)
| Work type | Per brick ($) | Per 1,000 ($) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard stretcher bond (veneer) | $1.10 - $1.50 | $1,100 - $1,500 | Most common residential work |
| Double brick cavity wall | $1.20 - $1.80 | $1,200 - $1,800 | Both skins, ties, cavity clean-out |
| Feature bond (Flemish, English) | $1.50 - $2.20 | $1,500 - $2,200 | Slower laying, more cuts, pattern alignment |
| Face brickwork (premium finish) | $1.40 - $2.00 | $1,400 - $2,000 | Clean joints, no mortar staining, careful handling |
| Curved or radius walls | $2.00 - $3.00 | $2,000 - $3,000 | Significant skill premium, many cuts |
| Besser block (190mm) | $3.00 - $5.00/block | n/a | Larger units, fewer per m2, different skill set |
Per-square-metre rates by wall type (labour only, excl. materials)
| Wall type | Rate ($/m2) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brick veneer (single skin) | $50 - $80 | Standard residential, stretcher bond |
| Double brick cavity | $100 - $160 | Both skins, ties, clean-out, weepholes |
| Feature / decorative brickwork | $90 - $140 | Flemish bond, stack bond, soldier courses |
| Retaining wall (brick) | $250 - $550 | Includes engineering brick, drainage, backfill |
| Brick paving | $75 - $130 | Herringbone, basket weave, stretcher patterns |
| Repointing (rake and fill) | $40 - $80 | Heritage or weathered joints, lime mortar often specified |
| Brick arch / curved feature | $150 - $250 | Template work, specialist skill |
Step 4: Understand brick types and material costs
Material cost per 1,000 bricks (supply only, ex-yard)
| Brick type | Cost per 1,000 ($) | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Standard clay (common) | $600 - $850 | Internal walls, rendered surfaces, backup skin |
| Face brick (select colours) | $850 - $1,200 | Exposed external walls, feature work |
| Engineering brick | $900 - $1,400 | Retaining walls, below DPC, high-load areas |
| Handmade / artisan brick | $1,400 - $2,500 | Heritage restoration, premium residential |
| Recycled / secondhand brick | $800 - $1,500 | Character builds, heritage matching, landscaping |
| Concrete block (190mm hollow) | $700 - $1,000 | Retaining walls, garages, commercial |
| Concrete block (90mm solid) | $500 - $750 | Internal walls, partitions |
Ancillary material costs
| Item | Cost | Coverage / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortar (pre-mix, 20kg bag) | $8 - $12 | ~15-20 bricks per bag; bulk sand+cement cheaper |
| Mortar cost per 1,000 bricks | $80 - $160 | Sand, cement, lime, plasticiser. Bulk site-mixed. |
| Cement (20kg bag GP) | $8 - $12 | ~7-10 bags per 1,000 bricks (1:4 mix) |
| Bricklaying sand (per tonne) | $50 - $80 | ~0.5 tonne per 1,000 bricks |
| Lime (20kg bag) | $12 - $18 | For lime mortar or additive in cement mortar |
| Wall ties (box of 100) | $25 - $45 | 2.5 ties per m2 for veneer, 4 per m2 for cavity |
| DPC (damp-proof course, 30m roll) | $25 - $40 | Required at base of all external walls |
| Lintels (galvanised steel, per metre) | $30 - $80 | Over openings; size depends on span |
| Weephole vents (pack of 20) | $8 - $15 | Required at base of cavity walls, above lintels |
| Brick delivery (per pallet, metro) | $80 - $150 | Crane truck for multi-pallet loads |
Brick quantity reference
For standard Australian bricks (230 x 110 x 76mm) with 10mm mortar joints:
- Single skin wall: ~50 bricks per m2
- Double brick cavity: ~100 bricks per m2 (50 per skin)
- Brick paving (flat): ~38 bricks per m2 (herringbone pattern)
- Bricks per pallet: typically 400-500 (varies by manufacturer)
Step 5: Price your waste
| Job type | Brick waste % | Mortar waste % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple wall, few openings | 5% | 10% | Long straight runs, stretcher bond |
| Standard residential (windows, doors) | 7% | 10% | Typical house build, moderate openings |
| Many openings or complex plan | 10% | 12% | Feature windows, bay windows, angled walls |
| Decorative bond or curved walls | 12 - 15% | 15% | Flemish, herringbone, radius work, many cuts |
| Paving (herringbone/basket weave) | 8 - 10% | n/a | Edge cuts, pattern alignment |
| Recycled / secondhand bricks | 10 - 15% | 10% | Higher breakage rate, inconsistent sizing |
Ordering tip: Always order the full brick quantity in one batch. Clay bricks vary in colour between production runs (called "kiln lots"). If you need to re-order partway through a job, the new batch may not match. This is a common source of disputes on face brickwork. Order 5-10% over your calculated quantity and return unused full packs where the supplier allows it.
Step 6: Apply your margin
| Margin level | Markup on cost | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 15 - 20% | Repeat builder clients, high volume, simple work |
| Standard | 20 - 30% | Typical residential, direct-to-homeowner |
| Premium | 30 - 40% | Feature work, heritage, curved walls, tight access |
| Specialist | 40 - 50% | Heritage restoration, archway, ornamental, tuck pointing |
| Emergency / urgent | 40 - 60% | Rush jobs, weekend work, builder holding up schedule |
| Materials markup | 15 - 25% | When you supply bricks, mortar, accessories |
Your margin covers the risk the quote carries. A simple veneer on a flat, accessible site has low risk and can run a tighter margin. A heritage repointing job on a multi-storey facade with lime mortar, scaffold, and unknown mortar depth has high risk and warrants the premium end.
Step 7: Know the common job benchmarks
These benchmarks give you a sense-check. If your quote is well outside these ranges, re-examine your measurements, waste allowance, and margin before sending it.
| Job | Typical cost range (inc. materials, ex. GST) | Key variables |
|---|---|---|
| Brick letterbox (standard) | $500 - $1,200 | Size, brick type, rendered or face |
| Brick BBQ / outdoor kitchen base | $2,500 - $5,000 | Size, countertop integration, fire brick |
| Garden wall (10m x 1m, single skin) | $2,500 - $4,000 | Brick type, footing, capping |
| Retaining wall (5m x 1.2m) | $3,800 - $6,500 | Engineering, drainage, backfill, brick type |
| Brick fence (10m, double skin, capped) | $3,200 - $4,500 | Pier spacing, height, capping style |
| Brick steps (6 treads) | $400 - $1,300 | Width, brick type, bullnose edges |
| Fireplace surround | $800 - $1,500 | Fire brick lining, decorative face, mantle support |
| Brick pier (single, 1.8m) | $350 - $700 | Size, reinforcement, cap |
| Feature wall (internal, 8m2) | $1,200 - $2,800 | Brick type, bond pattern, exposed or rendered |
| Single garage (brick veneer) | $8,000 - $14,000 | Size, lintel over opening, roof tie-down |
| House extension (3m x 3m, single storey) | $4,500 - $7,000 | Veneer or double, openings, match existing brick |
| Repointing (50m2 facade) | $1,500 - $3,500 | Joint depth, mortar type (cement vs lime), access |
| Brick archway (single) | $800 - $2,000 | Span, height, brick type, template work |
| New home 3-bed (brick veneer, walls only) | $15,000 - $25,000 | Perimeter, height, openings, bond, brick type |
| New home 3-bed (double brick, walls only) | $28,000 - $45,000 | Both skins, ties, clean-out, cavity width |
Step 8: State-by-state licensing
| State / Territory | Licensing body | Licence threshold | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Fair Trading | Over $5,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| VIC | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Over $5,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| QLD | QBCC | Over $3,300 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| WA | Dept of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety | Over $20,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services SA | All specialist building work | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| TAS | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | Over $5,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| ACT | ACT Government (Access Canberra) | Over $5,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
| NT | NT Business and Industry | Over $12,000 (inc. GST) | CPC33020 Cert III Bricklaying/Blocklaying |
All states also require a Construction Induction Card (White Card) for any work on a construction site. Public liability insurance ($5M-$20M depending on state and project size) is required or strongly recommended everywhere. Home warranty / builder's indemnity insurance is required in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, and WA for residential work above the relevant threshold. Check your state body for current fee schedules and renewal periods.
Step 9: Compliance and standards
AS 3700:2018 Masonry Structures
AS 3700 is the primary Australian Standard governing the design and construction of masonry. It covers:
- Material specifications: requirements for clay bricks, concrete blocks, mortar, and built-in components (wall ties, lintels, DPC, flashing)
- Structural design: load-bearing capacity, wind resistance, lateral support requirements, pier sizing
- Construction practice: laying techniques, joint specification, curing, cavity width, tie spacing
- Tolerances: permissible deviation in plumb, level, alignment, and joint thickness
Key construction requirements from AS 3700 that affect quoting:
- Wall ties: minimum 2.5 per m2 for brick veneer to frame; 4 per m2 for cavity walls. Stainless steel ties in coastal areas (within 1km of surf).
- Cavity width: minimum 40mm clear for veneer, typically 50mm. Cavity must be kept clean of mortar droppings (clean-out panels at base).
- DPC: required at the base of all external masonry walls, minimum 150mm above finished ground level.
- Weepholes: at the base of cavity walls and above lintels, at maximum 1200mm centres.
- Mortar joints: nominal 10mm thickness. Bed joints must be full. Perpend joints must fill at least the outer 20mm of face brickwork.
- Control joints: required at maximum 6m centres for clay brick (varies with bond pattern and restraint conditions).
National Construction Code (NCC) / Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- NCC Volume 2 (Class 1 and 10 buildings): references AS 3700 for all masonry construction. Sets minimum performance requirements for structural adequacy, weatherproofing, fire resistance, and energy efficiency.
- Fire resistance: 110mm single-skin clay brickwork achieves FRL 60/60/60 (structural adequacy/integrity/insulation). Double brick achieves higher ratings. Relevant for boundary walls, inter-tenancy walls, and bushfire areas (BAL ratings).
- Energy efficiency: NCC Section J requires minimum insulation in external walls. Brick veneer with insulated frame meets this. Uninsulated double brick may require additional measures.
- Termite management: AS 3660.1 requires ant capping and termite barriers in masonry construction. DPC must be continuous and inspectable.
Workplace safety
- Working at heights: scaffold required for brickwork above 2 metres. AS/NZS 1576 governs scaffold design and AS/NZS 4576 governs scaffold planks. Factor scaffold hire into your quote ($150-$400 per week for residential scaffold sets).
- Manual handling: standard bricks weigh 3.2-3.5kg each. A bricklayer handling 400-500 per day lifts 1,300-1,750kg of bricks alone, plus mortar. Safe Work Australia guidelines apply. Plan brick delivery to minimise carry distance.
- Silica dust: cutting bricks generates respirable crystalline silica dust. AS/NZS 1715 and SafeWork Australia WES (workplace exposure standards) apply. Wet cutting and P2 respirators are mandatory when using a brick saw. Quote for water supply or dust extraction on jobs with significant cutting.
- Asbestos: buildings constructed before 1990 may contain asbestos in mortar, render, or surrounding materials. If repointing or demolishing older masonry, an asbestos assessment is required before work begins. Licensed removal is mandatory if asbestos is present.
Worked example: 3-bedroom brick veneer home, Brisbane
A builder engages you to lay the external brick veneer on a new 3-bedroom single-storey home in Brisbane. Plans show:
- External wall perimeter: 42 linear metres
- Wall height: 2.7 metres (to top plate)
- Openings (windows and doors): 20 m2 to deduct
- Brick type: standard clay face brick (client selected from PGH range)
- Bond: stretcher bond
- You supply labour and mortar; builder supplies bricks, lintels, and ties
1. Calculate net brickwork area
Gross wall area: 42m x 2.7m = 113.4 m2
Less openings: 20.0 m2
Net brickwork area: 93.4 m2
2. Calculate brick count (for builder's order)
93.4 m2 x 50 bricks/m2 = 4,670 bricks
Plus 7% waste: 4,670 x 1.07 = 4,997 bricks
Round to full pallets: 5,000 bricks (10 pallets of 500)
3. Price your labour
Rate: $65/m2 (Brisbane market, standard stretcher bond veneer, good site access)
93.4 m2 x $65 = $6,071.00
4. Price your mortar supply
5,000 bricks x $120 per 1,000 (site-mixed, sand + cement + lime) = $600.00
5. Additional items
| Cavity clean-out (42 lm base) | $210.00 |
| Weephole installation (35 weepholes @ $2 ea) | $70.00 |
| Scaffold hire (2 weeks @ $300/wk) | $600.00 |
| Brick cutting (wet saw, consumables) | $120.00 |
| Site clean-up and mortar waste disposal | $180.00 |
6. Build the quote
| Labour (93.4 m2 @ $65/m2) | $6,071.00 |
| Mortar supply (5,000 bricks) | $600.00 |
| Cavity clean-out | $210.00 |
| Weephole installation | $70.00 |
| Scaffold hire (2 weeks) | $600.00 |
| Brick cutting consumables | $120.00 |
| Site clean-up | $180.00 |
| Subtotal (cost) | $7,851.00 |
| Margin (25%) | $1,962.75 |
| Subtotal ex GST | $9,813.75 |
| GST (10%) | $981.38 |
| Total inc. GST | $10,795.13 |
Arithmetic check: $7,851.00 x 1.25 = $9,813.75. $9,813.75 x 1.10 = $10,795.13. Confirmed.
Exclusions stated on the quote: brick supply (builder supplied), lintels and wall ties (builder supplied), footings and slab, structural engineering, waterproofing membrane, electrical and plumbing penetrations, painting or sealing, building permits, and any work to existing structures. Variations for concealed ground conditions, builder delays, and additional cutting for non-standard openings noted as provisional.
Timeline estimate: 5,000 bricks at 450 bricks per day (single bricklayer with labourer) = approximately 11 working days. Quote states 2.5-3 weeks allowing for weather and scaffold repositioning.
Presenting your quote
A well-presented quote wins work and protects you when scope changes. Include these elements:
- Your details: business name, ABN, licence number, insurance policy number and expiry
- Client details: name, site address, contact information
- Scope description: exactly what is included, stated in plain language. Name the brick type, bond pattern, mortar colour, and finish (flush, raked, ironed, struck).
- Line-item pricing: break out labour, materials (if supply and install), scaffold, and sundries. Clients trust line-item quotes more than lump sums.
- Exclusions: list everything that is not included. Common: footings, engineering, painting, permits, asbestos removal, electrical/plumbing, existing structure demolition.
- Validity period: 30 days is standard. Brick prices fluctuate with kiln production and demand.
- Payment terms: for jobs under $5,000, on completion. For larger jobs, a deposit (10-20%) and progress payments tied to stages (e.g., DPC level, plate height, completion).
- Variation clause: state how additional work is handled (written approval, agreed hourly rate for extras).
- Timeline: estimated start date and duration. Note weather contingency.
Send the quote within 24 hours of the site visit. Follow up at 48 hours, then again at one week. On builder work, confirm the brick delivery schedule before your start date, as bricklaying cannot begin without bricks on site, and brick supply delays are common in 2026, particularly in Perth and regional areas.
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