Kitchen electrical work in Melbourne typically costs between $3,000 and $8,000 for a mid-range kitchen renovation, or $8,000 to $15,000+ for a high-end renovation. That is a wide range – and for good reason. Every kitchen is different. The age of your home, the appliances you are installing, the condition of your switchboard, and the complexity of your lighting design all influence the final cost.
This guide breaks down each cost so you can budget accurately before hiring an electrician. Whether you are planning a kitchen refresh or a full gut renovation, you will find a detailed cost breakdown covering everything from a single power point to a complete kitchen rewire.
Statewide Sparkies offers free, no-obligation quotes for all kitchen renovation electrical work across Melbourne’s north-east. Call Jay on 0435 877 448 to get an accurate, upfront price before work begins.
Kitchen Electrical Costs in Melbourne – Quick Reference Table
The table below provides a clear overview of what to expect for common electrical job types. All prices are indicative Melbourne ranges and include GST. Actual electrician costs will vary based on the scope, access, existing wiring condition, and switchboard capacity.
| Service | Typical Cost (inc. GST) |
|---|---|
| Electrician hourly rate (Melbourne) | $80 – $130 per hour |
| Electrician call-out fee | $80 – $150 |
| Single power point install (existing circuit) | $150 – $250 |
| Double power point install (existing circuit) | $180 – $300 |
| Run new circuit from switchboard | $300 – $600+ |
| Kitchen full electrical rough-in + fit-off | $2,000 – $6,000+ |
| Switchboard upgrade (full replacement) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Induction cooktop installation (new circuit) | $400 – $900 |
| Oven installation (existing circuit) | $150 – $300 |
| Oven installation (new circuit) | $400 – $800 |
| Rangehood hardwired installation | $200 – $450 |
| Downlight installation (per light) | $80 – $150 |
| Downlight installation (6-pack) | $500 – $900 |
| Under-cabinet LED strip lighting | $300 – $800 |
| Dimmer switch installation | $150 – $300 |
| Full kitchen electrical (mid-range) | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Full kitchen electrical (high-end) | $8,000 – $15,000+ |
Disclaimer: These prices are indicative of Melbourne ranges only. Labour rates, material costs, and job size all affect the final price. Get a fixed-price quote from a licensed electrician before committing to any electrical work.
What Determines the Cost of Kitchen Electrical Work?
Electrician costs for a kitchen renovation are rarely one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence the cost breakdown, and understanding them upfront will help you avoid surprises on your invoice.
Kitchen Size and Layout
Larger kitchens require more power points, more downlights, and longer cable runs – all of which increase labour and material costs. An island bench incurs additional cost because powering and lighting the island often require routing cables through a concrete slab or running conduit, which adds time. Open-plan kitchen, dining, and living layouts may also require additional lighting zones, extra switches, and a more complex electrical system to manage the space.
Age of the Home and Existing Wiring
This is one of the biggest cost variables in any kitchen renovation in Melbourne. Newer homes built after 2000 typically have adequate wiring and a switchboard with spare capacity, which helps keep electrical costs at the lower end of the range. Older homes – particularly those built before 1980 – are a different story.
Melbourne’s north-east suburbs, such as Greensborough, Eltham, Diamond Creek, and Heidelberg, have a high concentration of brick-veneer homes built between the 1960s and 1980s. Many of these Melbourne homes still have outdated wiring that cannot safely carry the load of a modern kitchen. A full kitchen rewire in an older home adds significant labour and material costs to the overall budget. Some 1960s and 1970s homes also have aluminium wiring, which requires special connectors or, in some cases, full replacement, which significantly affects the final cost.
Switchboard Upgrade
A switchboard upgrade is the most common hidden cost homeowners do not anticipate when planning a kitchen renovation. If your switchboard has no spare circuit positions, lacks RCD (residual current device) safety switches, or is an older ceramic fuse board, it will need to be upgraded before a licensed electrician can add new kitchen circuits.
A new switchboard adds $1,500 to $3,500 to the total electrical installation costs. The good news is that bundling the switchboard upgrade with your kitchen renovation work is more cost-effective than doing it as a separate electrical job later. For more details, see our Switchboard Upgrade Cost in Melbourne (2026 Guide).
Appliance Requirements
The type of electrical work required changes significantly based on the appliances you are installing. A gas-to-induction cooktop conversion, for example, requires a dedicated heavy-duty 32A circuit – this is one of the most common installation costs that homeowners underestimate. Multiple hardwired appliances, including an oven, cooktop, and rangehood, each need their own dedicated circuit. The more appliances you add, the more circuits you need, and the higher the electrician’s costs.
Selecting your appliances before the electrical rough-in begins is critical. Getting the circuit right the first time is always cheaper than rework.
Lighting Complexity
Basic downlight installation is a straightforward, lower-cost electrical service. However, a kitchen upgrade with downlights, under-cabinet LED lighting, pendant lights over an island bench, dimmer switches, and multiple lighting zones – possibly tied into a smart home system – is a far more involved electrical installation. Smart lighting systems add further upfront cost but offer long-term convenience and energy savings.
Access and Building Constraints
Single-storey homes with an accessible ceiling cavity are the easiest – and cheapest – for running new wiring. In a double-storey home where the kitchen is on the ground floor and the bedrooms are directly above, running cables is more difficult and takes longer, which increases average hourly labour costs. If your home has asbestos in the walls or ceiling, a licensed asbestos removalist must clear the area before the electrician can proceed. This is not an electrical cost, but it does affect your overall budget and timeline.
Cost Breakdown by Kitchen Renovation Type
Every homeowner’s situation is different, so here is how electrical costs in Melbourne typically break down by renovation type.
Budget Kitchen Refresh – $1,500 to $3,000
A cosmetic refresh that does not change the layout is the most affordable option. This typically involves:
- Replacing existing light fittings with LED downlights
- Adding 2-3 new power points on the benchtop
- No new circuits required and no switchboard work needed
This suits homeowners doing a surface-level kitchen upgrade – new cabinetry, benchtops, and a fresh look – without changing the kitchen’s footprint.
Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation – $3,000 to $8,000
A full kitchen renovation in a home less than 30 years old is the most common scenario for Melbourne homeowners. Expect to pay for:
- Full electrical rough-in and fit-off
- 6-8 new power points
- 6-10 LED downlights
- 2-3 new circuits (oven, cooktop, and general power)
- Under-cabinet LED strip lighting
- Dimmer switches
- Possible switchboard upgrade if existing capacity is insufficient
This is the sweet spot for most kitchen renovation costs in Melbourne – a complete electrical system that supports a fully functional, modern kitchen.
High-End Kitchen Renovation – $8,000 to $15,000+
A high-end renovation in an older home or a premium new build will include everything in the mid-range scope, plus:
- Switchboard upgrade or full replacement
- Gas-to-induction conversion with a new 32A circuit
- Smart lighting with multiple zones and dimmers
- Island bench power points and pendant lighting installation
- Full kitchen rewire (common in older homes)
- USB power points and dedicated appliance cupboard circuits
This is where a specific kitchen renovation in a 1970s Greensborough or Ivanhoe home, for example, often lands – the age of the electrical system and the premium appliance choices combine to push the total higher.
How to Keep Kitchen Electrical Costs Down
Completing electrical work efficiently and correctly the first time is the best way to manage costs. Here is what experienced electricians in Melbourne recommend:
- Involve your electrician early – before the kitchen design is finalised. Rework after cabinetry is installed is expensive.
- Lock in power point positions with your electrician and kitchen designer before the rough-in begins. Moving a power point after the wall is sealed incurs additional costs.
- Bundle the switchboard upgrade with the kitchen work. It is cheaper to do it all at once than to do it as a separate job later.
- Choose your appliances first so the correct circuits are run the first time. Switching from a gas cooktop to an induction cooktop after the rough-in is complete requires rework.
- Request a fixed-price quote rather than paying charge by the hour. A reputable, licensed electrician will provide a quote for the entire job, giving you certainty upfront. After-hours and emergency call-out rates are higher, so plan work in advance where possible.
One thing to flag: DIY electrical work is illegal in Victoria. Any electrical installation work – from installing a new light fitting to running a new circuit – must be carried out by a licensed electrician. All completed work requires a Certificate of Electrical Safety, which your licensed electrician provides on job completion. Attempting DIY electrical work puts your home, your family, and your insurance at risk and can cause electrical fires.
Common Questions About Kitchen Electrical Work Costs in Melbourne
How much does an electrician charge for a kitchen renovation in Melbourne?
Most electricians charge between $3,000 and $8,000 for a mid-range kitchen renovation in Melbourne, or $8,000 to $15,000+ for a high-end renovation. The average hourly rate for an electrician in Melbourne ranges from $80 to $130, but most reputable electricians offer a fixed price for the full job rather than charging by the hour.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade for my kitchen renovation?
Often, yes. Older Melbourne homes frequently need a switchboard upgrade to support the 5-7 new circuits a modern kitchen requires. If your home has a ceramic fuse board or an older switchboard without RCD protection, budget an additional $1,500 to $3,500 on top of the kitchen electrical costs.
How much does it cost to install an induction cooktop in Melbourne?
Induction cooktop installation costs in Melbourne range from $400 to $900, including a new dedicated 32A circuit and final connection. If the switchboard also needs upgrading to accommodate the new circuit, add $1,500 to $3,500. This is one of the most common costs ranging higher than homeowners initially expect.
Can I get a fixed-price quote?
Yes. Statewide Sparkies provides free, fixed-price quotes for kitchen electrical work across Melbourne’s north-east. No surprises on the invoice – you know the full cost before work starts.
How much does it cost per power point?
Expect to pay $150 to $250 for a single power point on an existing circuit. Running a new circuit from the switchboard to support additional power outlets costs $300 to $ 600 per circuit. Installation costs vary based on access and cable run length.
Get a Free Quote for Your Kitchen Renovation Electrical
Want an accurate quote for your kitchen renovation electrical? Call Jay at Statewide Sparkies on 0435 877 448 for a free, no-obligation quote. We service Melbourne’s north-east, including Greensborough, Eltham, Diamond Creek, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Doncaster, Thornbury, Northcote, Templestowe, and Macleod, and have been helping homeowners renovate since 2014.
Lifetime warranty on workmanship. 5-star rated on Google. Fast, fair, and satisfied – every time.
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