Free tool for Melbourne homeowners
Air Conditioner Repair Cost Calculator
Broken down? Tell us the system and what it is doing, and see the likely cause and an indicative repair cost, plus an honest read on whether fixing it is still worth it.
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Typical air conditioner repair costs
Indicative Melbourne ranges for the most common faults, parts and labour, before the call out fee:
| Repair | Split system | Ducted | How common |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regas or refrigerant recharge | $200 to $450 | $400 to $900 | Very common |
| Leak find and repair | $300 to $700 | $450 to $1,100 | Common |
| Capacitor replacement | $150 to $300 | $200 to $400 | Common |
| Fan motor | $300 to $650 | $450 to $900 | Common |
| Control board (PCB) | $350 to $800 | $450 to $1,100 | Occasional |
| Thermostat or sensor | $150 to $350 | $200 to $450 | Occasional |
| Blocked drain or water leak | $150 to $300 | $200 to $400 | Common |
| Compressor replacement | $900 to $2,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 | Rare, and often not worth it |
A diagnostic call out is typically $90 to $150, and most repairers credit it toward the repair if you go ahead.
When a repair stops being worth it
The honest test is the repair cost against what a new system costs. Once a repair passes roughly 30 percent of the replacement price on a system already past 10 years old, the money usually goes further in a new unit.
That matters most with a failed compressor. Replacing one on a split system can cost $900 to $2,000, against roughly $2,600 to put in a brand new unit with a fresh warranty. On an older system, that repair rarely makes sense.
Our repair or replace calculator runs that maths properly, weighing age, repair cost, breakdown history and rising bills.
What the repair price depends on
Keeps the cost down
- A common fault with off the shelf parts (capacitor, sensor, drain)
- A popular brand where parts are stocked locally
- Catching it early, before a small fault damages the compressor
- A system still under manufacturer warranty
Pushes the cost up
- Refrigerant leaks that must be found before regassing (a regas alone just leaks out again)
- Ducted systems, where access and larger parts add labour
- Obsolete models where the board or motor must be ordered in
- Compressor failure, which is the most expensive part in the system
One warning worth repeating: if your system is low on refrigerant, it has a leak. Refrigerant is not consumed. A cheap regas without finding the leak will only buy you a season.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix an air conditioner?
Most common repairs land between $150 and $700 for a split system, plus a call out fee of about $90 to $150. Simple faults like a capacitor, sensor or blocked drain sit at the low end. A regas is typically $200 to $450, and a failed compressor is the expensive one at $900 to $2,000. Ducted systems run higher because of access and larger parts.
How much does an aircon regas cost?
Indicatively $200 to $450 for a split system and $400 to $900 for a ducted system. Important: refrigerant is not used up, so if your system is low it has a leak. A regas without finding and fixing the leak first will simply leak out again, so expect a leak find and repair of $300 to $700 on top if the leak is real.
How much does it cost to replace an air conditioner compressor?
Around $900 to $2,000 on a split system and $1,500 to $3,000 on a ducted system. It is the single most expensive part. Because a brand new split system starts around $2,600 installed with a fresh warranty, replacing a compressor on a unit over about 10 years old rarely makes financial sense.
Is there a call out fee for air conditioner repairs?
Yes, typically $90 to $150 for the diagnostic visit, and most repairers credit it toward the repair if you proceed. That fee covers the technician properly diagnosing the actual fault rather than guessing at parts.
When is it not worth repairing an air conditioner?
A common rule is that once the repair passes roughly 30 percent of the replacement cost on a system already over 10 years old, the money is better spent on a new unit, especially with a VEU rebate available. Our repair or replace calculator runs that comparison for your exact situation.
Get the fault diagnosed properly
This tool narrows the likely cause and the likely cost. Only a technician on site can tell you what has actually failed, quote it, and tell you plainly whether fixing it is worth it.
Book a technician Or call 0412 769 022.