A professional detail can range from a quick interior clean to a multi-hour paint correction, so the price you are quoted depends on what is actually included. This guide pulls together published detailing prices from named Australian sources, shows the date and basis of each figure, explains what pushes a quote up or down, and covers when detailing is worth it before you sell and why dealer-sold paint protection deserves a second look before you buy. It is general information. Car Buyers Assist is an independent buying guide and does not detail cars, so use the figures to judge a quote, not as a quote. If you are preparing to buy or sell, see our buy a car guide.
Short answer: how much does car detailing cost in Australia?
Published prices vary widely by service. Airtasker’s price guide lists a basic detail at $70 to $135, a full detail at $205 to $310 and a luxury detail at $310 to $900, while ceramic coating and paint correction are priced separately and sit well above those figures at specialist providers. There is no single Australian price, because the vehicle size, its condition and what the provider includes all change the number.
Published detailing prices, by source
| Source | Date shown | What it lists |
|---|---|---|
| Airtasker, car detailing cost guide | Last updated 12 February 2025 | Basic $70 to $135; full $205 to $310; interior $65 to $225; exterior $110 to $225; luxury $310 to $900; cut and polish $195 to $300. Bigger SUVs about $20 to $50 or more extra; vans and trucks need a quote. Its paint protection figure is inconsistent within the page, so treat it with care. |
| Cars24 Australia, what is car detailing | 23 February 2024 | Basic interior and exterior $100 to $300; comprehensive services such as paint correction or ceramic coating $500 or more |
| Schmicko Mobile Car Care, Sydney (a provider) | Published 12 June 2025, modified 8 August 2026 | Basic about $120 to $180 depending on size; mid-level $170 to $400 with wax and upholstery or leather clean; premium from $800 and can go beyond $1,000 with paint correction and ceramic |
| Jim’s Car Detailing (a national franchise) | Undated | Advertised from prices: mini detail from $149, full interior from $145, full detail $245, ultimate $325. Large vehicles such as trucks and caravans are quoted at roughly double or by quote |
| Star Car Wash and Detailing (a national provider) | 5 August 2022 | Interior detail from $199, exterior detail from $199, full detail from $290; older figures, so expect today’s prices to differ |
| Vince’s Car Detailing, Sydney (a provider’s press release) | 13 January 2025 | The provider’s own ranges, shown without dollar signs: full detail 300 to 600 or more, ceramic 1,000 to 2,500 depending on size and quality |
Provider prices are advertised from figures, not quotes, and some pages are old. The ranges above come from different services, cities and dates, so do not average them; compare like for like by asking each provider exactly what is included.
What changes the price
- Vehicle size. Airtasker notes larger SUVs cost more, and Schmicko prices a hatch-to-SUV step-up on ceramic coating at about $300 to $500 more.
- Condition. Pet hair, stains, odours and heavy paint swirls add time. Cars24 describes paint correction as removing swirls and scratches.
- Scope. Interior-only, exterior-only and full details differ. Airtasker lists interior work as vacuuming, shampooing carpets and upholstery, leather treatment and odour removal, and exterior work as wheel and tyre cleaning, tar and contaminant removal and wax.
- Add-ons. Ceramic coating and paint protection are quoted separately. Schmicko’s own ceramic page, checked October 2026, lists coatings from $1,090 for a sedan or hatch with paint correction included, and says other detailers’ small to medium car packages ran roughly $795 to $2,790. That page is from a seller of the product, so weigh it accordingly.
- Mobile or workshop. Some providers travel to you; ask whether a call-out fee applies.
Is detailing worth it before you sell?
CarExpert, in its guide to getting a car ready for sale (published 25 February 2025, modified 10 April 2026), says a full professional detail may cost a few hundred dollars and could add potentially thousands to the price. That is a claim, not measured evidence, and we did not find independent figures on the resale uplift, so treat it as a rule of thumb. Cars24 suggests detailing about three months before selling and again just before the sale. If you are selling privately, a tidy car and a clear paperwork trail help, and our car sale receipt template covers the sale itself.
Buying: paint protection and add-ons at the dealer
If a dealer offers paint protection, fabric protection or similar add-ons when you buy, compare the price with doing it yourself or booking a detailer later. WA Consumer Protection lists paint and fabric protection among add-ons of concern at the point of sale and suggests asking why the manufacturer does not include it, checking the market price and remembering that you can buy aftermarket products later (WA Consumer Protection, vehicle add-ons: yes or no; updated 14 August 2024). CHOICE says dealers often charge several hundred dollars for paint and rust protection that new cars already include under warranty (CHOICE, useless extras; undated). See our guides to hidden fees when buying a car, avoiding dealer markups and aftermarket products.
What to ask before you book
- Exactly what is included: interior, exterior, clay bar, polish, wax, engine bay?
- Is the price for my vehicle size, and is there a surcharge for condition?
- For ceramic coating, what is the warranty, who honours it and is paint correction included?
- Is it a fixed price or a quote after inspection, and is a call-out fee extra?
- Can I see before and after photos of similar work?
Related costs: car respray cost, car service cost, pre-purchase inspection cost and how to inspect a used car.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full car detail cost?
Airtasker lists a full detail at $205 to $310, Jim’s advertises a full detail at $245 and Star Car Wash from $290 (2022). Prices vary by vehicle and provider, so get a written quote.
How much does ceramic coating cost?
Published figures start around $1,000 and rise with vehicle size and paint correction. Schmicko lists coatings from $1,090 for a sedan or hatch, and Vince’s lists 1,000 to 2,500. Both are providers, so confirm what is included and the warranty terms.
Is interior detailing cheaper than a full detail?
Usually, because it covers less work. Airtasker lists interior detailing at $65 to $225, though the range depends on condition and vehicle size.
Does detailing add to resale value?
CarExpert says a professional detail may add potentially thousands to a sale price, but we found no independent data to measure it. A clean car can help a buyer’s first impression.
Should I buy paint protection from the dealer?
WA Consumer Protection and CHOICE both suggest checking the price against aftermarket options and asking why the car does not already include it, so compare before you agree.
Does Car Buyers Assist detail cars?
No. Car Buyers Assist is an independent buying guide. Use these figures to judge quotes from detailers.
This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, mechanical, insurance or legal advice. Prices are published examples from the sources named, some from 2022 to 2025, and are not quotes; actual costs depend on your vehicle, its condition and the provider. Always get a written quote before work begins.
Sources: Airtasker, car detailing cost (last updated 12 February 2025); Cars24 Australia, what is car detailing (23 February 2024); CarExpert, how to get your car ready for sale (25 February 2025); Schmicko Mobile Car Care, detailing prices and ceramic coating cost (2025, modified 2026); Jim’s Car Detailing (undated); Star Car Wash and Detailing (5 August 2022); Top4, Vince’s Car Detailing press release (13 January 2025); WA Consumer Protection, vehicle add-ons (14 August 2024); CHOICE, useless extras (undated). All accessed 9 November 2026.