How Much Does a Handyman Charge Per Hour In Australia? [2024]

Broken cabinets, dripping taps or a filthy driveway? Most Aussie houses have a few small jobs that continue to gather on the to-do list for a while. They’re often things we could do ourselves, but we just never get around to them. 

Whether your small home improvement tasks have been put on the backburner because you don’t have the right tools yet, or just have had more important things pop up - a handyman can always help.

This article will help you work out what jobs they can do and how much a handyman might cost. It covers:

• How much does a handyman cost?
• How much will a handyman cost for different jobs?
• What jobs can a handyman do?
• What jobs can’t a handyman do?
• Does a handyman need to have a licence?
• Hiring a local handyman

How much does a handyman cost?

One of the most important things to know before you start a job is how much a handyman charges. Most handymen in Australia charge by the hour, with costs ranging from $55 to $85 per hour. This can go up on holidays, weekends and for rush jobs.  

It's generally the more experienced handymen who charge at the higher end of the scale, but it may also be the busiest. Many tradies scale their costs by how much they need the work. If it’s not urgent, you may be able to negotiate down on the price by scheduling it later on. 

Many tradies require a minimum payment for their time, and with handymen, you’ll find that this is often for two hours of work. With minimum payments, you’ll need to pay for 2 hours of work even if the job takes them less time. Because of this, it’s a good idea to wait until you have a few jobs that need doing before you hire someone. 

Your location can also have an impact on costs, so bear that in mind when comparing quotes. For example, handymen costs in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) are typically higher than costs for handymen in NSW (New South Wales) and Victoria. 

How much will a handyman cost for different jobs?

Rather than an hourly rate, some handymen may also have standard rates for common jobs. For different jobs, expect to pay in the region of:

• From $60/hour for assembling flatpack furniture
• From $80/hr for painting work
• From $80/hr for carpentry work
• From $100 to clean gutters
• From $100 to hook up a washer or dryer
• From $250 to repair drywall

To save money, you may like to bundle a few tasks together. This will allow the handyman to complete several projects in one go.

As well as paying for the time your handyman spends on the job, you may also have to pay for materials (e.g.,paint or drywall) that they will need to get the job done.

What jobs can a handyman do?

A handyman is a jack of all trades who can help out with a number of different tasks. Each handyman has their own skills and weaknesses, but they’re good people to call if you need  help with:

• Basic painting: A job we all need to do at some point, but also one of the most tedious. Hiring a handyman to do your painting to get it done quickly (and well)
• General carpentry work: It could be hanging a door, fixing your deck or building some basic shelves
• Furniture assembly: If you don’t have the time or inclination to assemble flat-pack furniture, a handyman can definitely help do this in no time at all
• Hanging picture frames and mirrors: If you’re not sure about the right hooks to use or you’re not confident with a drill, it’s best to call in help from a handyman 
• Tile repairs: Small repair jobs, like fixing a single cracked tile, are perfect for a handyman
• Connecting your washer or dryer: Call a handyman if all you need is a few hoses connected and you want peace of mind that they won’t drip or leak
• Pressure cleaning: You’ll be amazed how your paving, driveway and outdoor areas will look after a thorough pressure clean 

While handymen can do a big list of things around your house, it’s also worth talking about what jobs a handyman can’t legally do.

What jobs can’t a handyman do?

While a handyman is versatile and able to carry out loads of jobs, they aren’t legally allowed to do some things. 

Any job that requires a specific licence, like sparky or plumbing work, can only be done by someone with the right credentials. So unless a tradie has licences in these areas, you're best to find a specialist who does.

The most obvious jobs your handyman might not have a license for, include:

• Building: Any structural work to your home must be done by a licensed builder
• Plumbing: All plumbing work must be done by a licensed plumber
• Electrical: All electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician
• Gasfitting: An appropriately licensed plumber or gas fitter must do any gasfitting related work for you

If you’re not sure if a handyman can legally do your job, do your research through the appropriate licensing authority. Just like any other tradie who comes to work in your home, a handyman needs to be insured. This protects you and them in case an accident occurs.  Insurances they should hold include for personal injury, third party and property damage. Ask to see the certificates to ensure they are valid.

Read more: How to choose a handyman

Does a handyman need to have a licence?

The short answer is no, but not having a license means they are only able to carry out a limited range of tasks. These vary by state so it’s best to check what applies where you live.

Generally speaking, a handyman doesn’t need a licence if the work is not structural and if the total value of the materials and labour does not exceed a certain value. In NSW, for example, this is $5,000 (including GST) but in Victoria it’s $10,000. 

This means a handyman can’t legally do a major tiling job worth over that amount - but they could legally carry out a smaller value project.

How do I hire a local handyman?

Here on hipages, you can find and weigh up quotes from handymen, with our free service. After you post your ad, we’ll connect you with three handymen so you can discuss your project. You can get their input before asking for quotes and timelines.

When it comes time to hire a handyman make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written, itemised quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

For more information on how you can find the best handyman for your job, check out our guide on finding a reliable handyman.

* All the costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are indicative, may vary locally, are subject to market forces and should only be used as a guide.