Bathroom lighting is one of those sneaky renovation items most homeowners don’t think about until the electrician asks, “So… what lights are we putting in?”
And suddenly you’re standing there thinking, “Uh… the bright ones?”

Lighting doesn’t just illuminate your bathroom — it sets the mood, boosts functionality, increases safety and can completely transform the space. But what does it actually cost to install new bathroom lights in Sydney?

Let’s break it down in a simple, practical, no-stress way, so you can budget confidently for your next kitchen, bathroom or whole-home renovation.

1. What Counts as ‘Bathroom Lighting’?

Bathroom lighting is more than just a single ceiling light. In Sydney homes — whether it’s a compact Inner West apartment or a spacious North Shore family home — modern bathroom lighting usually includes:

• LED downlights

• Vanity lighting (above-mirror or side sconces)

• Niche/wall lighting

• Strip lighting (under vanity or behind mirrors)

• Exhaust fan lights or heat lamps

• Feature pendants (common in luxury designer bathrooms)

Different lights = different costs. And installation varies depending on electrical layout, ceiling access and the age of your home.

2. Average Cost to Install Bathroom Lights in Sydney

Based on real renovation projects across Sydney, here’s a practical cost breakdown:

Standard LED Downlight Installation

$60–$120 per light (labour only)
Common across suburbs like Parramatta, Chatswood, Strathfield and Hurstville.

Vanity/Wall Sconce Lighting

$120–$250 per light (labour only)
Depends on wiring location and wall structure.

LED Strip Lighting

$150–$350 per installation
Used under vanities, inside shaving cabinets or behind mirrors.

Exhaust Fan with Light Combo

$250–$450 installed
Older brick homes in areas like Ashfield, Burwood or Rockdale often require extra wiring work.

Heat Lamp (3-in-1)

$250–$500 installed
Still common in homes across Blacktown, Penrith, and Campbelltown.

Feature Pendant Light

$200–$450 (labour only)
Stylish homes in Balmain, Mosman, Vaucluse and Turramurra love these — but height and wiring complexity add to cost.

3. Cost of the Light Fittings Themselves (Sydney Price Guide)

Of course, labour is only half the story. The light fittings you choose can cost anything from barely noticeable to “wow, that’s half my tax return.”

LED Downlights

• Budget: $10–$25 each

• Mid-range: $30–$60 each

• Premium brands: $70–$120 each

Vanity Lights

• Budget: $40–$80

• Mid-range designer: $120–$250

• High-end architectural: $300–$700

LED Strip Kits

• Budget: $40–$70/m

• Mid-range: $80–$150/m

• Custom premium: $200–$350/m

Mirror With Built-in Lighting

• Budget: $150–$300

• Mid-range: $400–$900

• Premium LED/anti-fog/smart mirrors: $1,000–$2,200

Exhaust Fan Lights

• Budget: $70–$120

• Mid-range: $130–$250

• Premium quiet units: $300–$450

Pendants

• Budget: $50–$150

• Mid-range: $200–$350

• Designer pieces: $400–$2,000+

4. Total Installed Cost — Your Real Sydney Bathroom Lighting Budget

Here’s what most homeowners actually spend:

Basic Budget Lighting Setup

$300–$800 total
Perfect for rental properties or basic upgrades.

Includes:

• 2–4 standard downlights

• Simple exhaust light

Typical in suburbs like:

• Blacktown

• Liverpool

• Bankstown

• Penrith

Mid-Range Modern Bathroom Lighting

$800–$1,800 total
Popular for family homes or standard bathroom renovations.

Includes:

• 3–6 downlights

• LED strip lighting

• Mid-range vanity lighting

• Exhaust/fan light combo

Common in:

• Ryde

• Strathfield

• Kogarah

• Hornsby

• Hills District areas like Castle Hill or Bella Vista

Premium Luxury Bathroom Lighting Setup

$2,000–$5,000+
For high-end renovations and design-focused interiors.

Includes:

• Designer vanity lights

• Floating LED mirror

• LED strip ambient lighting

• Custom niche lighting

• Feature pendant or sculptural light

• Premium quiet exhaust system

Seen in suburbs like:

• Mosman

• Vaucluse

• Turramurra

• Balmain

• Neutral Bay

• Paddington

5. Key Factors That Affect Lighting Installation Costs in Sydney

Just like life in Sydney, the price varies depending on “the neighbourhood conditions.”

1. Ceiling Type & Access

Concrete slab ceilings (common in CBD apartments and Pyrmont complexes) cost more.
Gyprock ceilings in suburban homes are much easier.

2. New Wiring vs Existing Wiring

If your home is older (e.g., Ashfield Federation homes), outdated wiring may need upgrades.

3. Number of Lights & Placement

More lights = more labour.
Lights in awkward locations add to the cost.

4. Compliance Requirements

Bathrooms need IP-rated fittings in certain zones.
Your electrician won’t risk installing the wrong product — nor should you.

5. Switch Upgrades

Adding dimmers, smart switches, or wireless controls will cost extra.

6. The “Apartment Factor”

Strata rules can require:

• Work hours

• Electrician certifications

• Access fees

• Ceiling cavity restrictions

Especially relevant in:

• Zetland

• Mascot

• Waterloo

• Chatswood

• St Leonards

6. What Type of Lighting Should You Use in a Sydney Bathroom?

Here’s the simplest lighting formula, based on what works best across hundreds of renovations:

A) Downlights for general brightness

Go for warm white (3000K)—it flatters skin and avoids the “hospital theatre” look.

B) Vanity lights for shaving/makeup

Side sconces give the best result.
Top-down lights can cast shadows (nobody wants to look tired in the morning).

C) LED strip lighting for ambience

Perfect under floating vanities, behind mirrors and in shower niches.

D) Exhaust lighting for ventilation and moisture control

Sydney bathrooms need reliable ventilation, especially in older brick homes.

7. Examples

Example A – Parramatta Apartment

• 4 downlights

• LED mirror

• Quiet exhaust light
  Total Cost: $1,250

Example B – Mosman Ensuite

• Architectural vanity sconces

• Shadow-line LED strip

• Premium fan light

• 6 downlights
  Total Cost: $3,900

Example C – Blacktown Family Home

• 3 downlights

• Basic exhaust
  Total Cost: $540

8. How to Save Money on Bathroom Lighting in Sydney

A few pro tips from years on renovation sites:

1. Use LED strip lighting wisely

One metre can transform the whole bathroom.

2. Choose mid-range lights, spend on switches

A cheap switch kills the experience of a beautiful bathroom.

3. Combine tasks — ask the electrician to do all rough-in and cutouts during the same visit

This reduces your labour cost.

4. Buy fittings from trusted Sydney suppliers

Skip online marketplaces with no warranty.

5. Don’t over-light the room

Your bathroom shouldn’t look like the M5 tunnel.

9. Final Expected Cost Summary

Most Sydney homeowners will spend between $800 and $1,800 for a full bathroom lighting upgrade,
including product and installation.

Luxury renovations can go from $2,000 to $5,000+.
Budget upgrades can be as low as $300–$600.

The exact number depends on the lights you choose, the electrical layout, and of course, your vision for the space.

Ready to Upgrade Your Bathroom Lighting?

Good lighting can make your bathroom look bigger, brighter, cleaner and more luxurious — and when professionally installed, it becomes one of the highest-impact upgrades in any renovation.

If you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom or home renovation anywhere in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about premium renovation services offered by MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.