What does an architect actually cost in Melbourne?
Understanding the full cost of working with an architect is one of the most useful things you can do before starting a residential project. Most clients underestimate it — not because the information isn't available, but because no one puts it together clearly in one place.
Here it is.
Architect fees
For residential projects in Melbourne, full service architectural fees typically range from 8–15% of construction cost, depending on project type, complexity, and scope. New custom homes generally sit toward the lower end of that range as construction value increases. Extensions and renovations attract higher percentages, reflecting the additional complexity of working within an existing structure.
At Aapo, fees are structured to reflect the actual scope, responsibility, and involvement each project requires — not a fixed percentage applied regardless of what the work demands.
Full service means concept design, design development, planning permit, working drawings, and contract administration — from first conversation to final handover. One fee, one point of accountability.
Consultant fees
Architect fees don't cover the full professional team. The following consultants are engaged separately and billed independently:
- —Structural engineer: 1.5–2.5% of construction cost
- —Civil and hydraulic engineer: 0.5–1%
- —Energy and ESD consultant: $1,500–$3,000
- —Land surveyor: $3,000–$5,000
- —Geotechnical and soil report: $1,000–$1,500
- —Town planner (where required): $3,000–$5,000
Authority fees and government charges
This is the category that surprises clients most. In Victoria, residential projects are subject to a range of statutory charges that have nothing to do with your architect or consultants:
Planning permit application fees are set by the Victorian Government and calculated on estimated construction cost. For projects over $1,311,000, a Metropolitan Planning Levy applies — currently $1.30 for every $1,000 of estimated development cost, paid to the State Revenue Office before a planning permit application can be lodged.
Building permit fees and levies are calculated separately by your building surveyor. Open space contributions may apply to subdivisions and certain development types, calculated as a percentage of land value. GST applies to construction costs and most professional fees.
These charges are not optional and cannot be avoided — but they can be planned for.
The rule of thumb
Budget 15–20% of your total construction cost to cover all professional fees and authority charges across a typical Melbourne residential project. Clients who budget only for the build consistently underestimate what the full project requires.
We cover all of this in the first conversation — before any commitment is made.