Average venue cost in Australia
A$12,000
Typical range: A$5,000 – A$25,000
What you’re paying for.
Ceremony-only venue
Church, garden, or beach permit
Basic seating and PA system at the mid-range
A$500 – A$3,000
Reception venue hire
Room hire or exclusive-use fee
Tables, chairs, and basic linen at most venues
A$3,000 – A$15,000
All-inclusive package
Venue + catering + basic styling as a bundled deal
Typically includes canapes, 3-course meal, 5-hour beverage package
A$8,000 – A$25,000
Marquee or tent hire
For private property or paddock weddings
Structure only — flooring, lighting, and furniture are extra
A$3,000 – A$10,000
Furniture & styling add-ons
Feature chairs, lounges, arbours, and custom installations
A$500 – A$5,000
From costs to real venues
Now see the venues behind the numbers.
We’ve curated real wedding venues in every major Australian city, with capacity, style, and price band for each.
How to save on venue.
Book a restaurant or pub
Many restaurants offer private dining for 40-80 guests with no venue hire fee — you just pay for food and drink.
Choose a BYO venue
BYO alcohol venues save 30-50% on beverage costs compared to in-house bar packages.
Consider regional Victoria or NSW
Venues 1-2 hours from Melbourne or Sydney are often half the price with more character.
Look at non-traditional spaces
Art galleries, warehouses, and botanical gardens often have lower hire fees than dedicated wedding venues.
Common questions.
Melbourne venues range from $3,000 for a restaurant private dining room to $15,000+ for an exclusive-use estate. The average is around $8,000-12,000.
Free tools
Plan your budget alongside this guide
Other categories
More Australia wedding costs
Ivory Lane Editorial
The Ivory Lane editorial team covers wedding planning, budgeting, and vendor advice for couples worldwide. Our guides are reviewed regularly to reflect current pricing and industry practice.