How Much does Roof Ventilation Costs – 2026 Cost Guide

$150 to $1,000+ per vent installed

What’s the Average Cost for Roof Ventilation?

Roof ventilation in Australia typically costs $150 to $1,000+ per unit installed, depending on the ventilation type, roof material (tile or metal), roof pitch, access height, and whether intake ventilation also needs to be added.

Compared to roofing or insulation upgrades, roof ventilation is one of the lowest-cost improvements but delivers strong benefits:

lower roof cavity heat, reduced AC demand, improved condensation control, and longer roof-frame life.

Roof Ventilation Cost (Material Only)

Roof ventilation prices vary based on airflow output, power source, and roof design. Whirlybirds sit at the budget end, while solar and electric vents are built for homes that retain more heat and need stronger extraction. Ridge and soffit vents improve intake and exhaust balance and are often added to raise total airflow.

Type of Roof Ventilation	Approx. Cost (Material Only)	Notes
Whirlybird (Wind-Driven)	$70 – $160 per unit	Most common option. Stainless steel or aluminum. High output models cost more.
Solar Roof Vent (15–30W)	$350 – $650 per unit	Moves 120–300 m³/min depending on wattage. Best for still-air days.
Powered/Electric Roof Vent (Mains	$450 – $850 per unit	Highest airflow. Requires licensed electrician (AS/NZS 3000).
Ridge Vent (Metal Roof)	$45 – $75 per linear metre	Continuous ventilation along entire ridge. Works best with intake vents.
Ridge Vent Roll (Tiled Roofs)	$22 – $45 per linear metre	Common in Europe; now used for modern tile roofs in Australia.
Tile Vent (Intake or Exhaust)	$65 – $120 per vent	Provides 8,000–10,000 mm² airflow per unit.
Soffit/Under-Eave Intake Vents	$18 – $45 per vent	Critical for balanced airflow. Comes in 150mm–300mm sizes.

Whirlybirds remain the most common choice for cost-effective ventilation, while ridge vents and powered fans are chosen when airflow consistency or condensation control is a priority.

Roof Ventilation Costs Per Unit (Installed)

Most Australian homeowners pay $150 – $1,000+ per unit installed, depending on the vent type.

Ventilation Type	Installed Cost (Per Unit / Per Metre)	Example Features
Standard Whirlybird	$150 – $300 per unit	Reliable, no electricity, works well in windy areas.
High-Capacity Whirlybird	$250 – $450 per unit	Larger turbine, higher airflow (up to 12,000 m³/hr for commercial).
Solar Roof Vent (15–25W)	$550 – $850 per unit	Works in still air, provides consistent extraction.
Solar Roof Vent (30W+)	$650 – $1,000+ per unit	Moves as much air as 3–4 whirlybirds.
Powered Electric Vent	$650 – $1,200+ per unit	Highest airflow; best for large or low-pitch roofs.
Ridge Vent (Metal Roof)	$90 – $150 per linear metre installed	Low-profile, continuous ventilation. Needs soffit intake.
Ridge Vent Roll (Tile Roof)	$60 – $110 per linear metre installed	Excellent for heat and condensation control.
Tile Vent	$150 – $300 per vent	Used for balanced airflow or bathroom exhaust termination.
Soffit/Under-Eave Intake Vent	$90 – $180 installed	Essential intake for proper airflow.

A typical Australian home will require 2–4 whirlybirds, or 6–12 metres of ridge vent, depending on the roof pitch and cavity volume.

Example Costs by Roof Type (Tile vs Metal)

Costs vary due to access, flashing requirements, and penetrations.

Roof Type	Typical Installed Cost	Notes
Colorbond Metal Roof	$150–300 per whirlybird	Quick installation, easy flashing.
Terracotta / Concrete Tile Roof	$200–350 per whirlybird	More labour-intensive. Tiles must be cut and re-bedded.
Low-Pitch Metal Roof (<12°)	$250–450 per vent	Low pitch reduces natural convection, requiring more units or powered ventilation.
High-Pitch Roof (>25°)	$150–250 per vent	Improved natural draft lowers required vent count.

Estimated Cost by Home Size

Home Size	Approx. Roof Area	Average Installed Cost
Small home	120–150 m²	$300 – $750
Medium home	150–220 m²	$450 – $1,200
Large home	220–300 m²	$750 – $1,800
Extra-large / double-storey	300 m²+	$1,200 – $2,500+

A 200 m² home typically requires 2–3 vents, or 8–12 metres of ridge vent.

Different Types of Roof Ventilation in Australia

Whirlybirds (Wind-Driven Turbines)

Cost: $70–$160 (material), $150–$300 installed
Airflow: 80–150 m³/min in moderate wind
Best for: Windy suburbs, standard pitched roofs

Whirlybirds are the most common ventilation option in Australia. They run without electricity and have a long service life, which keeps costs low. Their main limitation is reduced airflow on still days, and they work best when soffit or eave intake vents are already in place to feed fresh air into the roof space.

Solar Roof Vents

Cost: $350–$650 (material), $550–$1,000 installed
Airflow: 120–300+ m³/min
Best for: Hot climates, low-wind areas, larger roof cavities

Solar vents operate on sunlight, so they continue moving air even when the weather is still. They deliver stronger and more consistent extraction than whirlybirds, and they run quietly. Performance drops in shaded areas or during heavy cloud cover, and they cost more upfront compared with passive options.

Electric Powered Vents (Mains-Powered)

Cost: $450–$850 (material), $650–$1,200 installed
Airflow: Highest airflow available
Installation: Must be installed by a licensed electrician (AS/NZS 3000)

Electric vents provide the strongest extraction on the market and are suitable for roof spaces with condensation problems, low pitches, or complex layouts. Their downside is higher power use, and if a roof has poor intake airflow, these units can create negative pressure inside the attic.

Ridge Vents (Metal & Tile Roofs)

Cost: $45–$75 per metre (material), $90–$150 per metre installed
Best for: Continuous ventilation, modern metal or tiled roofs

Ridge vents run along the roof peak and release warm air continuously without moving parts. They are almost invisible from the street and operate silently. To work effectively, they need adequate soffit or eave intake. Installation requires accuracy, so most homeowners use an experienced roofing contractor.

Tile Vents

Cost: $65–$120 (material), $150–$300 installed

Tile vents match the profile of tiled roofs and can act as either intake or exhaust points. They are also useful for routing exhaust fans from bathrooms or kitchens through the roof. Each vent provides a modest amount of airflow, so multiple units are usually required for good circulation.

Soffit Intake Vents

Cost: $18–$45 (material), $90–$180 installed

Soffit vents feed fresh air into the roof cavity, which allows exhaust vents to remove hot or moist air effectively. Without sufficient intake, even strong exhaust systems struggle to work properly. These vents are available in several sizes and are installed under the eaves.

Roof Ventilation Costs by State

State	Average Installed Cost	Notes
Queensland	$150–$250 per vent	Lowest labour costs
Victoria / South Australia	$180–$280	Mid-range
New South Wales	$180–$320	Higher Sydney labour rates
ACT (Canberra)	$200–$350	Smaller labour pool, higher access costs
WA	$170–$260	Moderate

A 3-vent job might cost $450 in Brisbane but $900+ in Canberra.

Factors That Affect Roof Ventilation Costs

Roof Pitch

High roof = easier convection = fewer vents
Low roof = more vents or solar/powered fans needed

Roof Material

Tile roofs cost more due to cutting and re-bedding
Metal roofs are cheaper and quicker

Access Height

Second storey adds $120–$250 in labour
Difficult access (narrow side yards) increases setup time

Type of Vent

Wind-driven = cheapest
Solar = midrange
Electric = premium

Intake Ventilation

If your home has:

sarking blocking airflow
insulation pushed to the eaves

Installers must add intake vents, increasing costs.

How Many Roof Vents Do You Need?

Australian Best Practice

1:150 ventilation ratio is the NCC minimum
1:100 is best practice in warm and mixed climates
Equivalent to:
- 1 whirlybird per 50–75 m², or
- Continuous ridge vent across entire ridge

Quick guide:

Roof Size	Recommended Vents
120–150 m²	2 vents
150–220 m²	2–3 vents
220–300 m²	3–4 vents

Roof Vent Installation Prices (What Installers Charge)

Most installers charge per unit, not per hour.

Typical Rates

$150–$300 per whirlybird installed
$90–150 per metre of ridge vent installed
$550–1,000+ for solar vents installed
$650–1,200+ for powered vents (with electrical work)

Labour Breakdown

30–60 mins for metal roof
60–120 mins for tile roof
Ridge vents: half-day to full day depending on length

Professional Roof Vnetilation installation includes:

correct flashing
penetration sealing
safety access
compliance with AS 2050 (for tiles) and AS 4046 (metal roofing)

DIY installation is possible, but incorrect flashing leads to leaks, especially on tile roofs.

Alternatives to Traditional Roof Ventilation

Heat-Reflective Roof Paint

$25–$45 per m²
Reduces heat gain but does not remove attic moisture.

Insulation Upgrades

$1,800 – $3,500 for full home
Best paired with ventilation.

The “No Ventilation” Roof Design

Used in some commercial/flat roofs with vapour-permeable membranes.
Not recommended for older Australian homes.

How to Get the Best Quote

Ask installers for:

Exact vent quantities and total airflow output
Itemised pricing for labour and materials
A clear intake plan (soffit, tile, or eave vents)
Roof pitch and access considerations
Flashing method, especially on tiled roofs
Product and workmanship warranties
Compliance with NCC requirements and Australian Standards (AS 2050, AS 4200.1/2)

Detailed, itemised quotes remove guesswork and stop unexpected costs — especially when intake ventilation or electrical work is part of the job.

Rebel Roofing ACT provides all these inclusions. Our roof ventilation quotes cover airflow calculations, intake design, correct flashing, and full compliance with Australian roofing standards. If you want a quote that is complete, accurate, and built to last, our team can handle the entire process from assessment to installation.

Get a Roof Ventilation Quote from Rebel Roofing ACT Today.