Cassette Air Conditioner Installation Cost Brisbane (2026) — From $2,400
Installer’s price guide for ceiling cassette air conditioning installation in Brisbane — fully installed costs by capacity, what’s included, add-on costs, brand price ranges and the questions to ask before signing.
Quick answer: From $2,400 fully installed for a 3.5kW cassette. From $2,800 for 5kW, $3,400 for 7.1kW, $4,200 for 10kW. Bulkhead drops (where ceiling cavity is shallow) add $1,500–$3,000. Final price depends on cavity, electrical, and brand.
Brisbane cassette pricing by capacity (2026)
| Capacity | Room size (m²) | Fully installed (from) | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5kW | 18–28 m² | From $2,400 | Bedrooms, small offices, treatment rooms |
| 5.0kW | 25–40 m² | From $2,800 | Living rooms, medium offices, classrooms |
| 7.1kW | 40–60 m² | From $3,400 | Open-plan living, larger offices, retail |
| 10.0kW | 55–80 m² | From $4,200 | Large open-plan, hospitality |
| 14kW+ | 80+ m² | Quote on site | Commercial / large retail |
Prices fully installed inc GST. Assumes adequate ceiling cavity, existing electrical capacity, and back-to-back pipe run.
What’s included in the install price
- Indoor cassette unit + standard white decorative grille
- Outdoor compressor unit sized to match
- Up to 4m insulated refrigerant pipework
- Condensate drain line + built-in drain pump (cassettes always need a pump)
- Standard electrical hookup to existing 15–20A power
- Ceiling cut-out, framing reinforcement, mounting hardware
- Outdoor unit bracket or ground feet
- Refrigerant top-up, vacuum, pressure test
- Full commissioning, run-test on cool and heat
- 10-year workmanship warranty
- Manufacturer warranty registration (5-yr standard)
What pushes the price up
| Add-on / condition | Typical price impact (from) |
|---|---|
| Bulkhead drop (shallow ceiling cavity) | From $1,500 |
| Pipe run beyond 4m | From $80/m |
| New electrical circuit | From $380 |
| Designer grille (black/brushed metal) | From $80 |
| Auto-clean panel | From $250 |
| WiFi controller | From $150 |
| Wired wall controller | From $220 |
| Old unit removal + disposal | From $150 |
Brand-by-brand cassette pricing (3.5kW fully installed)
- Daikin FCAG (Skyair) — from $2,400. Reliable, 5-yr warranty, best parts availability.
- Mitsubishi Electric SLZ-M — from $2,500. Quietest cassette at 26dB(A).
- Panasonic CS-Z — from $2,500. Includes nanoe X air purification.
- Fujitsu AUTG — from $2,350. Best-value cassette in this capacity range.
- LG UT — from $2,500. WiFi standard, 10-yr compressor warranty.
Ceiling cavity check — the deal-breaker
Cassettes recess into the ceiling cavity. Standard 3.5–7kW cassette needs 320–400mm clear cavity above the ceiling grid.
Brisbane home cavity reality:
- Modern slab-on-ground (post-2000): 400–600mm. Works fine.
- Highset Queenslander: 350–500mm. Usually workable.
- Lowset 60–70s brick: often 200–280mm. Bulkhead drop needed.
- Apartments: 200–400mm depending on building era. Variable.
- Cathedral / vaulted: no cavity. Wall split alternative needed.
Cavity check is part of every free on-site assessment before quoting.
Real-world example Brisbane jobs
Example 1 — 3.5kW Daikin cassette, Hawthorne home office: Modern slab home, 450mm cavity, standard electrical, existing outdoor location. Total: $2,450 inc GST.
Example 2 — 5kW Mitsubishi SLZ cassette, Bulimba dental clinic: 600mm cavity, anti-allergen filter add-on, wired controller. Total: $2,950 inc GST.
Example 3 — 7.1kW LG cassette + bulkhead, Sunnybank home extension: Lowset brick, 280mm cavity needed bulkhead drop. Total: $4,950 inc GST including bulkhead.
Example 4 — 10kW Daikin VRV cassette pair, Fortitude Valley office: Two 5kW cassettes off one 10kW VRV outdoor, in a fitout. Total: $7,850 inc GST.
Common questions
How much does a ceiling cassette cost in Brisbane?
From $2,400 inc GST fully installed for a 3.5kW unit. From $2,800 for 5kW, $3,400 for 7.1kW, $4,200 for 10kW. Final price depends on ceiling cavity, electrical, and brand.
Why is a cassette more expensive than a wall split?
Ceiling cut-out, framing reinforcement, drain pump, and more complex airflow design all add cost. Plus the indoor unit itself is more expensive than a wall split.
What’s included in the price?
Indoor unit + standard grille, outdoor unit, up to 4m pipework, drain line + pump, standard electrical, ceiling cut-out, mounting, refrigerant charge, commissioning, 10-yr workmanship warranty.
How much does a bulkhead drop cost?
From $1,500 for a single cassette. Sometimes more if structural beams need rerouting or substantial gyprock and paint repair is needed.
How long does cassette installation take?
Half-day for a standard residential or office install. Full day if ceiling reinforcement, new electrical, or bulkhead work is needed.
Are cassettes worth the extra cost over wall splits?
For aesthetic-priority rooms, large open-plan spaces, and commercial fitouts — yes. For bedrooms and budget installs — usually no, wall splits are better value.
Is finance available?
Yes — Brighte and Humm both offer 0% interest over 12–24 months on residential AC, on approval.
AH Air Conditioning · 63 Britannia Ave, Morningside QLD 4170 · ARCtick licensed · 20+ years across Brisbane.