If your Melbourne home was built before 1990 and still has its original wiring, a full rewire might be one of the most important safety upgrades you can make. But how much does it actually cost — and how do you know if you need one?
At Carlin Co Electrical, we carry out house rewiring across inner Melbourne every week. In this guide, we’ll break down the real costs you can expect in 2026, what’s involved, and the warning signs that your wiring needs replacing.
What Does a House Rewire Cost in Melbourne in 2026?
The cost of rewiring a house in Melbourne depends on the size of your home, the number of circuits, accessibility of the wiring (single-storey brick vs. double-storey weatherboard), and whether you want to add extra circuits for modern needs like EV chargers or dedicated appliance circuits.
Here’s what you can typically expect to pay in Melbourne in 2026:
- 2-bedroom unit or apartment: $8,000 – $12,000
- 3-bedroom single-storey home: $12,000 – $18,000
- 4-bedroom single-storey home: $16,000 – $22,000
- 4-bedroom double-storey home: $20,000 – $30,000+
These prices typically include a full switchboard upgrade, new cabling throughout, replacement of all power points and light switches, and a Certificate of Electrical Safety on completion.
What Affects the Cost of Rewiring?
Home Size and Layout
More rooms mean more circuits, more cable runs, and more labour. A compact 2-bedroom apartment in South Melbourne will cost significantly less than a 4-bedroom period home in Hawthorn with multiple living areas, a workshop, and outdoor lighting.
Wall and Ceiling Access
This is one of the biggest cost variables. Homes with accessible roof cavities and subfloor spaces allow electricians to run cables without opening up walls. In contrast, double-brick homes without ceiling access often require chasing into walls and patching, which adds both time and cost. Period homes in suburbs like Carlton, Fitzroy, and Brunswick often fall into this category.
Switchboard Upgrade
Nearly every full rewire includes a switchboard upgrade. If your home still has ceramic fuses or a rewireable fuseboard, the new switchboard alone can cost $1,500 – $3,000 depending on complexity. This is included in the rewiring quotes above.
Additional Circuits and Upgrades
Many homeowners take the opportunity during a rewire to add circuits they’ll need in the future. Common additions include a dedicated EV charger circuit, extra power points in the kitchen and home office, outdoor lighting circuits, and USB power points throughout the house. These additions are far cheaper to install during a rewire than as a standalone job later.
7 Warning Signs Your Melbourne Home Needs Rewiring
Not sure if your home needs a rewire? Here are the most common red flags our electricians see across Melbourne:
- Your home was built before 1980 and has never been rewired. Wiring from this era often uses rubber or fabric insulation that degrades over time, creating serious fire and shock risks.
- You still have ceramic fuses or a rewireable fuseboard. These provide far less protection than modern safety switches and circuit breakers.
- Lights flicker when you turn on appliances. This suggests overloaded circuits or deteriorating connections — both signs of ageing wiring.
- Power points or switches feel warm to the touch. Warm fittings indicate high-resistance connections that can lead to arcing and potentially fire.
- You smell burning or notice discolouration around outlets. This is an urgent warning sign. Switch off the circuit immediately and call a licensed electrician.
- Your safety switch keeps tripping. While occasional trips are normal, frequent safety switch tripping can indicate insulation breakdown in old wiring.
- You’re doing a major renovation. If you’re renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or extending, it’s often the most cost-effective time to rewire the entire property while walls are open.
What’s Involved in a Full House Rewire?
A full rewire is a significant job, but a good electrician will minimise disruption. Here’s what the process typically looks like:
Step 1 — Assessment and quote: A licensed electrician inspects the existing wiring, discusses your needs (how many power points, dedicated circuits, lighting preferences), and provides a detailed quote.
Step 2 — First fix (rough-in): New cables are run through the roof cavity, subfloor, and walls. New back-boxes are installed for power points and switches. The new switchboard is installed and wired.
Step 3 — Second fix (fit-off): Power points, light switches, light fittings, and smoke alarms are installed and connected. The system is tested circuit by circuit.
Step 4 — Testing and certification: Every circuit is tested to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules). A Certificate of Electrical Safety is issued, which is a legal requirement in Victoria for all prescribed electrical work.
A typical 3-bedroom home rewire takes 3 to 5 days. You can usually stay in the home during the work, though you may be without power to certain areas for portions of each day.
Do I Need a Full Rewire or Just a Partial Upgrade?
Not every older home needs a complete rewire. In some cases, a partial upgrade — such as replacing the switchboard, adding safety switches, and upgrading the most critical circuits — can be a practical and more affordable interim solution.
A qualified electrician can assess the condition of your existing wiring with an electrical safety inspection and advise whether a full rewire is necessary or whether a targeted upgrade will keep you safe and compliant.
Can I Get Any Rebates for Rewiring?
While there are no direct government rebates for house rewiring in Victoria, you may be able to claim rebates on specific components done at the same time. For example, if you add solar panel wiring, you may qualify for the Victorian Solar Homes Program rebate. If you install a home battery, the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate may apply. Speak with your electrician about bundling work to maximise value.
Why Choose Carlin Co for Your Rewire?
Carlin Co Electrical is a Master Electricians member with REC licence 33210 and over 110 five-star Google reviews. We specialise in older Melbourne homes across the inner suburbs — from period weatherboards in Brunswick and Northcote to Art Deco apartments in St Kilda and South Yarra. Our team provides transparent, detailed quotes with no surprises, and we issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety for every job.
Get a Rewiring Quote Today
Wondering if your home needs rewiring — or just want an honest assessment? Contact Carlin Co Electrical for a no-obligation inspection and quote. We’ll assess your wiring, explain your options clearly, and provide a fixed-price quote so you know exactly what to expect.
Call us on 1300 360 087 or request a quote online.