If you’ve ever stepped into a bathroom that feels like a tropical rainforest—steam everywhere, mirror fogged up, walls sweating like they just ran a marathon—then you already know why a bathroom exhaust fan isn’t a “nice to have”… it’s essential. Especially in Sydney, where coastal humidity, tightly sealed modern apartments, and small bathroom layouts can quickly turn a little moisture into mould, peeling paint, and serious ventilation issues.

So if you're planning a bathroom renovation or thinking about upgrading your current setup, chances are you're asking:

“How much does it cost to install a bathroom exhaust fan in Sydney?”

Let’s break this down clearly, with real price ranges, suburbs-specific examples, and practical advice drawn from on-site experience across Sydney homes.

Average Cost to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan in Sydney

**Typical Price Range: $380 – $1,800+

(Depending on fan type, installation complexity, electrical access, and ducting requirements)**

The cost can vary widely because bathrooms in Sydney come in every shape, age, and accessibility challenge possible—from the narrow terraces of Newtown, to the luxury apartments in Barangaroo, to older fibro houses in Carlingford, to high-moisture coastal zones like Coogee, Dee Why, and Bondi.

Most homeowners fall somewhere in the middle of the cost range, but here is a clear breakdown.

1. Cost of the Exhaust Fan Itself

Standard Ceiling Exhaust Fan

$60 – $180
These are the simple, no-frills fans found in many homes across Blacktown, Winston Hills, and Seven Hills. Good for small bathrooms and basic ventilation.

Ducted Exhaust Fan (Most Common in Renovations)

$120 – $450
Needed when you must vent moisture out through the roof or external wall—essential for apartments in Parramatta, Homebush, Wolli Creek, Chatswood, or homes where bathroom walls don’t face outside.

Inline Exhaust Fan (Quieter + better suction)

$250 – $700
Ideal for apartments with thicker concrete slabs (lots in Sydney CBD, Zetland, Mascot) and bathrooms needing high air extraction.

Exhaust Fan with Light or Heat Lamp Combo

$150 – $900
Especially common in family homes across Hornsby, Ryde, and Baulkham Hills.

2. Electrical Labour Costs in Sydney

Licensed electrician installation typically costs:

Standard installation: $180 – $350

For:

• Easy ceiling access

• Replacing an old fan in the same location

• No new wiring required

This is common in newer homes in Kellyville, Epping, Pymble, or The Ponds.

Complex electrical installation: $350 – $800+

Usually required when:

• New wiring is needed

• Switchboard upgrades are necessary

• Concrete ceilings (common in apartments)

• Fire-rated ceilings

• Cutting new holes in ceilings

• Long cable runs

Apartment buildings in Rhodes, Wentworth Point, Macquarie Park, and Burwood often fall into this category.

3. Ducting & Venting Costs

This is where people get surprised.

Bathroom fans cannot simply “blow into the roof cavity.” That’s illegal in NSW and causes mould and timber rot.

Proper ducting adds:

$120 – $500+

Depending on:

• Length of duct

• Roof vs external wall venting

• Type of roof (tile roof easier; Colorbond harder)

• Whether a roof tile vent or wall grille is required

Homes in Kingsford, Maroubra, and older weatherboard suburbs often require custom ducting due to unusual ceiling structures.

4. Ceiling Patching or Carpentry (If Required)

If the old fan is bigger or smaller than the new one, you may need:

$120 – $350

For:

• Ceiling patching

• Repainting

• Installing or modifying timber support

Common in older bathrooms around Ashfield, Petersham, Strathfield, and Annandale, where existing fans from the 70s or 80s have non-standard sizes.

5. Total Cost Based on Installation Scenarios

Here’s a quick, Sydney-specific breakdown of typical real-life cases:

**Scenario 1: Simple Replacement

($380 – $650 total)**

• Swap existing fan with a similar new one

• No ducting change

• Easy ceiling access

Typical in:

• Newer duplexes in Oran Park

• Granny flats in Fairfield

• Recently renovated apartments

**Scenario 2: New Exhaust Fan + Ducting

($600 – $1,200 total)**

• Installing a ducted system

• Cutting new hole

• Running new vent to roof or wall

• New electrical work

Common in:

• Older houses in Haberfield, Five Dock, Lilyfield

• Cement ceiling apartments

• Homes with no existing ventilation

**Scenario 3: High-End Inline System

($1,000 – $1,800+ total)**

• Inline motor installed in roof cavity

• Multiple ducts

• High extraction rate

• Whisper-quiet performance

Frequently requested in:

• Renovations in North Sydney, Mosman, Rose Bay

• Designer bathrooms in Vaucluse or Hunters Hill

• Luxury penthouses

Inline systems are the best choice for homeowners who want serious moisture control without the noisy, rattly fan experience.

What Factors Increase Installation Cost?

1. No ceiling cavity access

Units with concrete ceilings are harder and pricier.

2. Long ducting runs

Townhouses with bathrooms in the middle of the layout (e.g. Pemulwuy, Jordan Springs) usually require more labour.

3. Fire-rated or acoustic ceilings

Many new apartments in Zetland, Macquarie Park, Rhodes, and Parramatta have strict compliance requirements.

4. Switchboard upgrades

Some older homes in Canterbury, Bankstown, Greenacre, or Marrickville need electrical upgrades.

5. Roof type

Terracotta tiles are easier to modify than Colorbond or slate roofs.

Why Proper Ventilation is Absolutely Essential in Sydney Bathrooms

Sydney has a unique mix of factors that make ventilation more important than almost any other Australian city:

Coastal humidity

Suburbs like Bondi, Freshwater, Cronulla, and Manly experience higher moisture levels.

Dense apartment living

Moisture builds fast in enclosed bathrooms (hello Mascot, Wolli Creek, Wentworth Point).

Older homes with poor airflow

Many Inner West terraces simply weren’t designed for modern humidity levels.

Without proper ventilation, you risk:

• Mould

• Peeling paint

• Damp smells

• Swollen door frames

• Premature tile degradation

• Costly waterproofing failures

A $700 exhaust fan install today can prevent a $7,000 waterproofing repair tomorrow.

Tips for Choosing the Right Bathroom Exhaust Fan

1. Check the extraction rate (m³/hr)

Small bathroom: 180–300 m³/hr
Medium bathroom: 300–500 m³/hr
Large bathroom: 500–700 m³/hr+

2. Choose a quiet model

Nobody wants a bathroom sounding like a fighter jet taking off.

3. Ensure proper ducting outside

Never let a contractor “vent into the ceiling.”

4. Add a timer switch

Fan turns off automatically after 10–20 minutes.

5. Combo units (heat + light + fan)

Great for colder suburbs like Kenthurst, Dural, Terrey Hills.

How MB9 Australia Handles Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installations

When we install ventilation systems, we approach it like a medical checkup for your bathroom—fixing issues you can’t see, preventing the ones you don’t want to see, and ensuring the whole system supports long-term health of your home.

Our service includes:

• Ventilation assessments

• Choosing the right fan for bathroom size

• Roof/duct planning

• Electrical compliance

• Fire-rated apartment solutions

• Patch + paint (if required)

• Moisture prevention advice

From Inner West to Eastern Suburbs, North Shore to Western Sydney, we help homeowners build bathrooms that stay dry, healthy and long-lasting.

Conclusion: How Much Does a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Cost to Install?

In Sydney, expect:

• Basic installation: $380–$650

• Ducted system installation: $600–$1,200

• Premium inline systems: $1,000–$1,800+

Ventilation is one of the smartest investments you can make in any bathroom renovation—preventing mould, protecting your tiles, and improving long-term waterproofing performance.

For more information about Sydney-based kitchen, bathroom and home renovation services, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about what MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can do for your home.