Quick Answer
Rewiring a house in Melbourne costs $8,000–$20,000 for a typical 3–4 bedroom home, depending on size, accessibility, and switchboard upgrades needed. Older homes in SE Melbourne suburbs like Dandenong, Springvale, and Frankston built before 1980 often have deteriorating rubber-insulated wiring that creates a serious fire risk. All electrical work in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed electrician — it is illegal to do it yourself.
House Rewiring Cost Breakdown
Full House Rewire by Home Size
A full rewire replaces all wiring, power points, light fittings, switchboard, and safety switches throughout the home. This is the most common scope for Melbourne homes built before 1975 with original rubber-insulated wiring.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom unit/house | $5,000–$9,000 | Full rewire, new switchboard, safety switches |
| 3 bedroom house | $8,000–$13,000 | Full rewire, switchboard, safety switches, smoke alarms |
| 4 bedroom house | $11,000–$17,000 | Full rewire, upgraded switchboard, all circuits |
| 5+ bedroom or large home | $15,000–$25,000 | Complex layout, additional circuits, heavy-duty switchboard |
Partial Rewire and Upgrade Costs
Not every Melbourne home needs a full rewire. Sometimes the circuit wiring is fine but specific sections are failing, or the switchboard needs upgrading to handle air conditioning and EV charger loads.
| Work Type | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard upgrade (standard) | $1,200–$2,500 | New board, circuit breakers, safety switches |
| Switchboard upgrade (large/3-phase) | $2,500–$5,000 | 3-phase supply for EV chargers, workshop, HVAC |
| Add safety switches to existing board | $400–$900 | Mandatory for new circuits in Victoria |
| Rewire single room | $800–$2,000 | Kitchen or bathroom most common |
| Add new circuit (power or lighting) | $400–$1,200 | Running new cable from switchboard |
| Install dedicated EV charger circuit | $800–$1,800 | 32-amp circuit from switchboard to garage |
| Install solar inverter circuit | $600–$1,200 | Required for rooftop solar connections |
Smoke Alarm Compliance (Required with Rewire)
Since 2022, Victorian building regulations require interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all habitable rooms when electrical work is carried out. Most Melbourne electricians include this in a rewire quote, but always confirm.
| Smoke Alarm Type | Cost per Alarm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 240V hardwired (mains-powered) | $80–$150 installed | Required in bedrooms and hallways |
| Interconnected system (3 alarms) | $300–$500 installed | All alarms trigger if one detects smoke |
| Battery backup (combined with hardwired) | Add $20–$40 per unit | Recommended for all Melbourne homes |
What Affects House Rewiring Costs in Melbourne?
1. Type of Existing Wiring
Homes built before 1960 often have rubber-insulated wiring (TRS cable) that becomes brittle and dangerous with age. Homes from the 1960s–1980s may have aluminium wiring — acceptable but requires specific terminals and connectors. Both increase the urgency and sometimes the cost of a full rewire.
2. Home Construction Type
Brick-veneer homes with unlined wall cavities are easiest to rewire. Double-brick homes and homes with concrete slab floors require more invasive cabling methods, adding 20–40% to labour costs. Weatherboard homes with lined walls require cutting and patching, which adds plasterer costs ($50–$120 per patch).
3. Switchboard Location and Age
Old ceramic fuse switchboards must be replaced — circuit breakers and safety switches are mandatory in Victoria for any new or replacement work. If the board is in a difficult-to-access location (e.g., inside a cupboard, in the ceiling), relocation adds $400–$1,000.
4. Number of Power Points and Circuits
Modern Melbourne households need more circuits than homes were originally built for. Kitchen circuits for oven, dishwasher, and microwave alone require 3–4 dedicated circuits. Adding extra power points (typically $180–$350 per double point installed) increases the total scope.
5. Access Difficulties
No underfloor access, fully tiled walls, or concrete ceilings all make cable runs harder. Some Melbourne terrace homes and units require cable to be run in surface conduit rather than inside walls, which is visible but legal and cheaper than cutting into concrete.
Signs Your Melbourne Home Needs Rewiring
| Warning Sign | What It Means | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Flickering lights when appliances run | Overloaded circuits or loose wiring | Get inspected within weeks |
| Burning smell from power points or switchboard | Overheating wiring — fire risk | Turn off and call electrician today |
| Circuit breakers tripping frequently | Circuits undersized for modern load | Inspect and upgrade soon |
| Original ceramic fuse box (wire fuses) | Pre-1970s wiring likely; no safety switches | High priority upgrade |
| Aluminium wiring (grey/silver cable) | Requires special connectors; fire risk if modified | Inspection and assessment |
| Rubber-insulated wires visible in ceiling | Insulation is crumbling; imminent fire risk | Full rewire required urgently |
| No RCD/safety switch on switchboard | No protection against electric shock | Add safety switch immediately |
Top 10 Tips and Gotchas for Melbourne House Rewiring
- Get an electrical inspection first. Before committing to a full rewire, pay $200–$350 for a licensed electrician to test the existing wiring. They may find only sections need replacing, saving thousands.
- Quote scope matters. Ask exactly what’s included — number of circuits, power points, light fittings, switchboard spec, smoke alarms, and plastering.
- Check the electrician’s licence. Verify your electrician’s registration at Energy Safe Victoria. Never use an unlicensed tradesperson for electrical work.
- Time a rewire with other renovations. If you’re also replacing walls, flooring, or ceiling lining, the rewire is dramatically cheaper because cable runs don’t require cutting into finished surfaces.
- Budget for patching. In brick-veneer homes, electricians typically cut small access holes in plaster walls. Plastering and painting these adds $800–$2,500 to the project — don’t let this come as a surprise.
- Safety switches are mandatory. Victoria requires RCD safety switches on all lighting and power circuits. If your home doesn’t have them, the electrician must install them when doing any circuit work.
- Upgrade to a larger switchboard if adding solar or EV. A standard 6-circuit board won’t accommodate solar inverters, EV chargers, ducted HVAC, and electric cooking. A 12–16 circuit board costs more upfront but avoids a second upgrade.
- Insurance may contribute. Some home insurers will contribute to rewiring costs if old wiring is flagged as a high fire-risk in an inspection report. Check your policy.
- Older homes often have undersize cables. 1960s–1970s Melbourne homes were wired for 60A total loads. A modern home typically needs 100A. Your electrician should recommend the right incoming supply capacity.
- Ask for a Certificate of Electrical Safety. After any electrical work in Victoria, your electrician must issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES). Keep this for your records and for insurance purposes.
Local Melbourne Resources
- Energy Safe Victoria — Electrician Licence Verification — Check your electrician is licensed before work starts
- Victorian Building Authority — Building permit requirements for major rewiring work
- Bunnings Electrical — Safety switches, smoke alarms, and power point hardware
- Reece — Switchboard components and cable management accessories
- Total Tools — Electrician-grade tools if assisting with non-electrical aspects of the project
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Melbourne?
A full house rewire in Melbourne costs $8,000–$17,000 for a 3–4 bedroom home, including new switchboard and safety switches. Smaller units start at $5,000 and large homes with complex wiring can reach $25,000. Partial rewires or switchboard-only upgrades cost $1,200–$5,000.
Can I do my own electrical wiring in Victoria?
No. All electrical wiring work in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed electrician registered with Energy Safe Victoria. DIY electrical work is illegal, dangerous, and will void your home insurance. Even changing a power point yourself is not permitted.
How do I know if my Melbourne home needs rewiring?
Key signs include: a ceramic fuse box with wire fuses (pre-1970s), rubber-insulated wiring visible in the ceiling, frequent circuit breaker trips, flickering lights, burning smells from power points or the switchboard, or aluminium wiring identified in an inspection. If your home was built before 1975, get an electrical inspection.
How long does it take to rewire a house in Melbourne?
A full rewire of a 3–4 bedroom brick-veneer home typically takes 3–6 days for the electrical work. Plastering and painting after the cable runs adds 1–3 days. Plan for 1–2 weeks total disruption including drying time for plaster patches.
Do I need a building permit for a house rewire in Victoria?
A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) from your licensed electrician is required for any rewiring work in Victoria — this is separate from a building permit. For major structural changes that accompany a rewire, a building permit from the VBA may also be required. Ask your electrician what permits apply to your specific project.