DIY and home improvement market in Australia - statistics & facts
The run-up to Christmas is a busy time for Australia’s DIY retailers; from rolling a new coat of paint on the walls to reconstructing decking, conducting home improvements is a beloved activity. With several people getting stuck into renovations and smaller-scale redecorating projects from October to December, hardware, building, and garden supplies retailers enjoy a sales boost during this peak period. While Australians have a strong drive to update their homes, the country’s DIY and hardware market has been experiencing slower growth, as consumer spending moderates due to cost-of-living pressures. Additionally, owing to declining consumer confidence in building professionals and a desire for more customization, a shift towards DIY is transforming the home improvement market’s dynamics.
As house prices trend upwards, Australians are investing in current home improvements such as smart storage solutions, home system updates, energy-efficiency enhancements through, for example, solar panel installations, and outdoor area revamps embracing native plants. The trend toward DIY over subcontracting is set to endure; however, for more complex projects, Australians realize calling an electrician, plumber, or painter might be ultimately healthier for their wallet.
Which hardware chains are nailing it in the Australian market?
Australia has one of the largest DIY markets globally, coming in 7th among the top ten DIY markets by revenue. Household hardware chain Bunnings holds over two-thirds of Australia’s DIY retail landscape and sits among the leading DIY retailers by net revenue worldwide. In 2024, Bunnings reported almost 19 billion Australian dollars in sales, generated through its vast product range including hand and power tools, gardening supplies, paint, and timber from international brands such as Dulux, DeWalt, Makita, and AEG to domestic suppliers like Taubmans and Ekodeck. Hardware stores in Metcash’s retail network, including Mitre10, Total Tools, Home Hardware, and Thrifty-Link, also make their mark. Hardware and building supplies buying groups, including National Building Suppliers Group and Hardware and Building Traders (HBT), also hold a notable DIY market share but are outpaced by industry leader Bunnings.What motivates Australians to pick up their tools?
Kitchen and bathroom makeovers alongside outdoor area upgrades are the most common property improvement projects undertaken or planned by Australians, according to a 2024 survey. The popularity of outdoor renovations is a distinguishing factor of the Australian home improvement market, with the lawn and garden segment, encompassing outdoor living space creation and maintenance products, generating the second-highest revenue across Australia’s DIY and hardware categories. Enhancing style, comfort, and home value were the most prevalent reasons for renovation activities, with improving sustainability the least common motivator. Even so, electrical and plumbing jobs were common interior repairs prioritized by Australian homeowners.DIY budgets and blunders
DIY is an appealing option to keep down project costs, as the majority of Australians renovating their homes reported a budget of less than 30,000 Australian dollars, with only 30.6 percent having funds exceeding this. Nonetheless, some people are getting quotes from ‘tradies’ following failed DIY attempts, with painting, landscaping and gardening, and plumbing-related jobs among Australians’ most frequent DIY disasters.As house prices trend upwards, Australians are investing in current home improvements such as smart storage solutions, home system updates, energy-efficiency enhancements through, for example, solar panel installations, and outdoor area revamps embracing native plants. The trend toward DIY over subcontracting is set to endure; however, for more complex projects, Australians realize calling an electrician, plumber, or painter might be ultimately healthier for their wallet.
