Kitchen Benchtop Replacement Cost in Australia (2026)
Reviewed by Team Asetica · Sydney · Perth · Melbourne · Updated June 2026
Replacing a kitchen benchtop in Australia typically costs $2,500 to $9,000 supplied and installed for stone, or $500 to $1,800 for laminate. For a standard 6 to 8 square metre kitchen, expect about $4,500 to $9,500 in mid-range stone, plus $150 to $350 to disconnect and reconnect the sink and tap. Since the 2024 engineered stone ban, most replacements now use sintered stone or porcelain.
The final figure depends on the material, the size and shape of your kitchen, edge detail and how much plumbing or cabinetry work the change involves. This guide breaks the cost down by material, explains what a quote includes, and covers what the engineered stone ban means if you are replacing an older benchtop.
- Stone benchtop replacement runs about $2,500–$9,000 installed; laminate $500–$1,800.
- A standard 6–8m2 kitchen in mid-range stone is roughly $4,500–$9,500; marble or porcelain $8,000–$18,000.
- Add $150–$350 for sink and tap disconnect/reconnect; labour alone is $300–$800.
- Engineered stone can no longer be installed (2024 ban) — sintered stone and porcelain are the usual compliant replacements.
Kitchen Benchtop Replacement Cost by Material
Material is the biggest single cost driver. The table shows typical supplied-and-installed ranges per square metre in 2026. Use them as a guide — your quote depends on slab, edge profile and kitchen complexity.
| Material | Cost/m2 (supplied + installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | Lowest — from a few hundred | Cheapest, but scratches and dates faster |
| Sintered stone | ~$700–$1,500 | No sealing, heat/UV proof, lowest 10-yr cost |
| Porcelain | ~$700–$1,500 | Non-porous; thinner slabs, specialist install |
| Granite / quartzite | ~$700–$2,000 | Natural stone; needs periodic sealing |
| Marble | ~$900–$2,500 | Premium look; porous, etches and stains |
| Engineered stone | Banned | Cannot be supplied or installed since 1 Jul 2024 |
What Is Included in the Cost?
A benchtop replacement quote usually covers templating, the slab, fabrication, removing the old benchtop, installation and basic edge work. What is often extra: disconnecting and reconnecting the sink and tap ($150 to $350), any plumbing or electrical changes, a new splashback, and cabinetry adjustments. Labour on its own is roughly $300 to $800. Always confirm whether removal of the old benchtop and the sink reconnection are in the quote, because those are the most common surprises.
Replacing an Engineered Stone Benchtop After the Ban
If your existing benchtop is engineered stone, you can have it removed but you cannot replace it with new engineered stone. Since 1 July 2024, engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs cannot be supplied or installed in Australia, and popular brands became unavailable overnight. The standard compliant replacements are sintered stone, porcelain and natural stone. Sintered stone is the most common like-for-like choice because it delivers the same marble and stone looks with better performance. See the engineered stone alternatives guide for what to specify.
How to Keep the Cost Down
A few choices move the price meaningfully. Keeping a simple square edge instead of a thick mitred or decorative profile saves on material and fabrication. Choosing a standard in-stock colour avoids special-order premiums. Reusing your existing cabinetry and sink cut-out positions reduces plumbing work. And picking a low-maintenance surface like sintered stone removes ongoing sealing costs, so the benchtop is cheaper to own over its life even if the upfront price is similar.
Planning a benchtop replacement? Order free samples of sintered stone to compare at home, or view full slabs at our Sydney and Perth showrooms. Request samples or call 1300 161 388.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a kitchen benchtop in Australia?
Replacing a kitchen benchtop in Australia typically costs $2,500 to $9,000 supplied and installed for stone, or $500 to $1,800 for laminate. A standard 6 to 8 square metre kitchen in mid-range stone runs about $4,500 to $9,500, with marble or porcelain pushing it to $8,000 to $18,000. Add $150 to $350 to disconnect and reconnect the sink and tap.
Can I replace my engineered stone benchtop?
You can remove an existing engineered stone benchtop, but you cannot replace it with new engineered stone. Since 1 July 2024 engineered stone benchtops cannot be supplied or installed in Australia. Most replacements now use sintered stone, porcelain or natural stone, which are all compliant and give a similar or better finish.
What is included in benchtop replacement cost?
A typical replacement quote covers templating, the slab, fabrication, removal of the old benchtop, installation and basic edge work. Disconnecting and reconnecting the sink and tap is usually extra at $150 to $350, and plumbing, splashback or cabinetry changes are priced separately. Labour alone is roughly $300 to $800.
What is the cheapest kitchen benchtop to replace with?
Laminate is the cheapest at about $500 to $1,800 installed for a typical kitchen, but it scratches and dates faster. Among stone surfaces, sintered stone offers the best long-term value because it never needs sealing and lasts decades, so the 10-year cost is often lower than cheaper materials that need replacing or maintaining.
How long does a kitchen benchtop replacement take?
Most benchtop replacements take about one to two weeks from template to install. The benchtop is templated after the cabinets are ready, fabricated off site over several days, then removed and installed in a single day. Plan for the kitchen to be partly out of use on removal and install days.
More guides from Asetica:
- Engineered Stone Alternatives After the Ban
- What Is Sintered Stone? Properties, Uses and Comparisons
- Porcelain Benchtops: The Complete Australian Guide
Asetica Surfaces is a trade sintered stone supplier serving architects, builders, stonemasons, cabinet makers and designers across Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. Our team draws on hundreds of completed benchtop, splashback and facade projects and a European manufacturing partner that has produced sintered stone since 2007. Every guide is checked against current Australian standards and the engineered stone regulations in force since 1 July 2024. See the range at our Sydney (Padstow) and Perth (Subiaco) showrooms, or call 1300 161 388.
Choosing a replacement benchtop? See sintered stone in person.
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