A locksmith in Brisbane typically costs $120 to $300 for a house lockout during business hours, and most jobs come to about $180. After-hours lockouts usually cost $200 to $500. Rekeying a single lock costs $120 to $180 once the call-out is included, and a basic lock replacement costs $120 to $350. A car lockout costs $100 to $300. All figures include GST.
The time of day you call has the biggest effect on the final price. A business-hours call-out fee in Brisbane is usually $80 to $120, and after hours it rises to $130 to $180 before any work starts. At Solus Locksmith, we work across Greater Brisbane, from Ipswich and Springfield Lakes to Morayfield and Jimboomba. We hold a 4.9-star Google review average, and we agree on every price in writing before work begins. This guide covers what each job should cost, what pushes the price up, and how to make sure the quote matches the invoice.
Brisbane Locksmith Price List (2026)
The table below shows 2026 price ranges for common locksmith jobs in Brisbane. The figures come from an independent Brisbane cost survey that cross-references more than 90 Australian trade pricing sources, last verified in October 2026. All prices include GST and cover the Brisbane metro area.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
| House lockout (business hours) | $120 | $180 | $300 |
| House lockout (after hours) | $200 | $280 | $500 |
| Rekey a lock (per lock) | $45 | $65 | $120 |
| Replace a basic lock (per lock) | $120 | $220 | $350 |
| Deadbolt installation | $150 | $250 | $400 |
| Smart lock (supplied and fitted) | $300 | $520 | $800 |
| Key cutting (standard key) | $5 | $12 | $30 |
| Car lockout | $100 | $180 | $300 |
| Car key replacement (cut and programmed) | $150 | $300 | $550 |
| Master key system (3 to 5 locks) | $400 | $700 | $1,200 |
The low end usually means a simple job on a standard lock, done in business hours, close to the locksmith’s base. The high end reflects late-night work, high-security hardware, or a long drive to an outer suburb.
What Is the Average Locksmith Call-Out Fee in Brisbane?
A locksmith call-out fee in Brisbane is usually $80 to $120 during weekday business hours and $130 to $180 after hours. The call-out fee covers travel and attendance. Labour and parts are charged on top.
Most Brisbane locksmith bills are made up of three parts:
- Call-out fee. The cost of getting a licensed technician and a stocked van to your address.
- Labour. Either a fixed price for the job or an hourly rate. Some Brisbane locksmiths publish labour rates of about $100 to $120 per hour on top of the call-out.
- Parts. New cylinders, locks, deadbolts, key blanks or car key transponders.
Some Brisbane operators charge well above the average. Emergency call-out fees from $220, and after-hours call-outs of $250 to $300, are not unusual. Before you book, ask for the likely all-in total as well as the call-out fee.
How Much Does an Emergency Lockout Cost in Brisbane?
A house lockout in Brisbane costs $120 to $300 during business hours and $200 to $500 after hours. The later the call, the higher the bill, according to Brisbane lockout price data from the same survey.
| Time of lockout | Typical Brisbane price |
| Business hours (7am to 6pm weekdays) | $120 to $300 |
| Evening (6pm to 10pm) | $200 to $350 |
| Late night or early morning (10pm to 6am) | $250 to $500 |
| Weekends and public holidays | Top of each range |
One of the real Brisbane locksmith quotes in the survey shows the difference. A Holland Park lockout at 9:40pm on a Friday came to $285. That was a $150 after-hours call-out plus $135 for non-destructive entry on a deadbolt. The same job at 2pm on a Tuesday would have cost about $90 less.
Not every locksmith adds a night-time premium. Some, including our team at Solus Locksmith, charge one fixed price at any hour. Ask how after-hours work is priced before you agree to a call-out. Our emergency lockout service page walks through a typical lockout, from booking to entry.
Does a locksmith need to drill the lock?
A trained locksmith can open most standard residential locks without damage, using non-destructive entry. Drilling should be a last resort for a seized lock or a high-security cylinder from a brand such as Abloy or Mul-T-Lock. A drilled lock needs a replacement cylinder, which adds $80 to $220 to the bill.
If someone reaches for a drill in the first few minutes of a standard lockout, ask them to stop and explain why.
How Much Does It Cost to Rekey or Change Locks in Brisbane?
Rekeying a single lock in Brisbane costs $120 to $180, including the call-out fee. Replacing a basic lock costs $120 to $350, and a quality deadbolt costs $150 to $400 supplied and fitted. Rekeying is usually cheaper when the existing lock is in good condition.
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
Rekeying changes the pins inside the lock cylinder so old keys stop working. The existing hardware stays on the door. The rekey itself typically costs $45 to $120 per lock, and some Brisbane locksmiths list it from about $30 to $40 per cylinder before the call-out fee.
The per-lock cost drops when you rekey several locks in one visit. Rekeying 3 to 4 locks in a Brisbane home typically costs $200 to $350 in total, according to this rekey vs replace comparison. Here is an itemised settlement-day rekey from Coorparoo.
| Item | Price |
| Call-out (business hours) | $90 |
| Rekey first cylinder (front entrance) | $75 |
| Rekey 2 more cylinders, keyed alike | $110 |
| 4 new keys cut | $24 |
| Total | $299 |
How much does a new lock or deadbolt cost?
A basic lock replacement in Brisbane costs $120 to $350 per lock, and a typical job comes to about $220. A deadbolt costs $150 to $400 supplied and installed, with most jobs around $250.
The hardware drives most of the difference. A standard Lockwood or Gainsborough lock sits at the lower end. Restricted-key and high-security systems cost more in parts and fitting time. Another real quote, for replacing two entrance sets in Algester, came to $390, made up of a $90 call-out, $190 for the two locks, and $110 to fit both.
Should you rekey or replace your locks?
Rekey when the hardware works and you only need to control who has a key. Replace when the hardware itself is faulty or below the security level you want.
- Rekey after moving in, after losing keys, or when a tenant or housemate leaves.
- Replace when a latch sticks or grinds, the lock shows corrosion, or the door was forced during a break-in.
- Upgrade when you only have a basic knob set and want a proper deadbolt or a smart lock.
Older Queenslanders are worth a separate mention. Servicing or rekeying original period hardware is often cheaper than finding a matching replacement, and it keeps the look of the door. Our page on when to rekey, repair or replace a lock covers all three services.
How Much Does a Smart Lock Installation Cost in Brisbane?
A smart lock in Brisbane costs $300 to $800 supplied and fitted, and most jobs come to about $520. The model you choose accounts for most of that range, according to this Brisbane smart lock breakdown. Installation labour sits at a fairly flat $100 to $180.
| Smart lock type | Supplied and fitted |
| Entry keypad deadbolt | $300 to $350 |
| Mid-range app or Bluetooth deadbolt | $350 to $500 |
| Premium Wi-Fi or fingerprint entrance kit | $500 to $800 |
| Door prep (new bore or mortice changes) | Add $80 to $150 |
Door prep is common in Brisbane because many Queenslander timber doors have non-standard thicknesses or old mortice cut-outs. A keypad deadbolt fitted in Sunnybank Hills came to $444. That included $289 for the lock, $120 for installation and $35 to adjust the strike plate.
Cheap no-name units are often removed within a year, so a mid-range lock from an established brand usually costs less over time. Our page on deadbolts and smart locks covers the deadbolts, high-security cylinders, keypads and smart locks we supply and fit.
How Much Does a Car Locksmith Cost in Brisbane?
A car lockout in Brisbane costs $100 to $300, and a typical job comes to about $180. Replacing a lost car key costs more because most modern keys contain a chip that must be programmed to the vehicle.
| Car locksmith job | Typical Brisbane price |
| Car lockout (mobile entry) | $100 to $300 |
| Standard metal key (older, pre-immobiliser cars) | $50 to $120 |
| Transponder key (cut and programmed) | $180 to $400 |
| Remote or flip key (cut and programmed) | $250 to $500 |
| Smart or proximity fob | $350 to $700 |
| All keys lost | Add $150 to $300 |
An auto locksmith is usually 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than a dealership for the same working key, according to this Brisbane car key price guide. In another real quote, a transponder key in Wishart came to $330, made up of an $85 call-out, a $120 key blank, and $125 to cut and program it in the driveway.
A mobile locksmith also avoids the cost of towing the car to a dealer. Before anyone drives out, confirm they have programming equipment for your make and model. Our car keys and remotes page explains how on-site cutting and programming works.
How Much Do Key Cutting and Other Small Locksmith Jobs Cost?
Key cutting in Brisbane costs $5 to $30 for a standard key, and most keys cost about $12. Other small jobs are often worth grouping with a bigger one, because the call-out fee is usually the largest part of the bill.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
| Key cutting (standard key) | $5 | $12 | $30 |
| Broken key extraction | $80 | $130 | $300 |
| Home security audit | $150 | $250 | $400 |
| Safe opening or combination reset | $200 | $350 | $600 |
Restricted and high-security keys cost more to cut than standard keys. They use specialist blanks that only authorised locksmiths can supply, which is part of what makes them secure.
How Much Do Commercial Locksmiths Charge in Brisbane?
Commercial locksmith work in Brisbane is usually quoted per project. A master key system covering 3 to 5 locks costs $400 to $1,200 with cylinders supplied and fitted, and the typical job is about $700. Every extra door adds a cylinder and fitting time.
Businesses often use commercial-grade hardware, such as mortice locks, exit devices and restricted key profiles. That hardware takes longer to fit and costs more in parts. Rekeying after a staff change is usually charged per cylinder, so an office with 12 doors costs far more than a home with 3. Ask for a written, itemised estimate that lists every door. Our page on commercial locksmith services covers master-key systems, restricted keys and rekeys after staff changes.
Are Locksmiths Cheaper in Brisbane Than Sydney or Melbourne?
Brisbane locksmith prices are slightly lower than Sydney and Melbourne for most common jobs. The figures below come from the same survey’s Melbourne price data and Sydney price data, all verified in October 2026 and including GST.
| Typical price | Brisbane | Melbourne | Sydney |
| House lockout (business hours) | $180 | $190 | $205 |
| House lockout (after hours) | $280 | $295 | $320 |
| Rekey a lock | $65 | $68 | $75 |
| Replace a basic lock | $220 | $230 | $255 |
| Car lockout | $180 | $190 | $205 |
| Smart lock (supplied and fitted) | $520 | $545 | $600 |
The gap is usually $10 to $40 per job. Timing, lock type and travel distance change the price far more than the city you live in. Our Sydney locksmith price guide and Melbourne locksmith price guide break down those markets in more detail.
What Affects the Cost of a Locksmith in Brisbane?
Two jobs that sound identical can be quoted very differently. These factors move the price most:
- Time of day. A 10pm lockout can cost $250 to $500, compared with $120 to $300 during the day.
- Travel distance. Greater Brisbane stretches from Caboolture to Jimboomba and from Ipswich to the bay islands. Outer suburbs can carry a longer call-out, so check the locksmith covers your area, as listed on our Brisbane service areas page.
- Lock type. Standard residential locks cost less to service than high-security, restricted or commercial-grade hardware.
- Door type. Older timber doors may need extra prep before a new deadbolt or smart lock fits properly.
- Number of locks. Rekeying or replacing several locks in one visit lowers the per-lock rate.
- Type of job. A lockout is the quickest job. Lock replacements, smart lock installs and car key programming take longer and need parts.
- Damage. A forced door may need break-in repairs before it closes and locks properly, which costs more than a clean lockout.
Brisbane’s climate also plays a part. The city averages 1,056 mm of rain across about 81 rain days a year, with 63% average humidity at 9am, according to Bureau of Meteorology data. In our experience, outdoor locks on gates, garages and sheds are the first to corrode or seize in these conditions. A seized lock takes longer to open or service than a working one.
How Can You Avoid Overpaying for a Locksmith in Brisbane?
Most savings come from planning ahead and asking the right questions before anyone starts work:
- Book during business hours if it is safe to wait. A typical daytime lockout costs about $180, compared with about $280 after hours.
- Ask for the all-in total on the phone. The quote should cover the call-out fee, labour, parts and any after-hours rate. Ask for it by text so you have it in writing.
- Group jobs into one visit. Cutting spare keys and fixing a sticking back-door lock on the same trip means you pay the call-out fee once.
- Rekey every lock at once. After moving in, rekeying 3 to 4 locks to one key costs $200 to $350 in total.
- Choose a nearby locksmith. Less travel time usually means a lower call-out fee and a faster arrival.
- Get two or three quotes for planned work. Comparing written quotes shows you the fair price for your specific job.
At Solus Locksmith, one approach we have found works well is to assess the job, then give one fixed figure in writing that matches the final invoice. Surprise add-ons are the complaint we hear most often from customers who have used other operators.
What are the warning signs of a locksmith scam?
The most common pricing trap starts with a very cheap advertised call-out. Some ads promise call-outs under $20, and Brisbane pricing data describes the classic trap as an advertised $49 call-out that becomes a $400 bill.
Watch for these warning signs:
- An advertised call-out fee far below the $80 to $120 market rate
- No licence number, ABN or verifiable business address
- A call centre that cannot tell you who is coming or where from
- Refusal to confirm the price in writing before starting
- Drilling a standard lock straight away on a routine lockout
- Pressure to pay cash before the work is done
Unlicensed locksmiths are an active problem in Queensland. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) ran 21 investigations into locksmiths in a single year, and many of the operators were unlicensed. In its warning about dodgy locksmiths, Queensland Fair Trading Commissioner Victoria Thomson said “dodgy operators charge exorbitant fees for a less-than professional job.”
How do you check a locksmith’s licence in Queensland?
Anyone paid to open, fit or repair locks at your property in Queensland must hold a security equipment installer licence under the Security Providers Act 1993. You can confirm a licence for free on the OFT’s security licence register. Ask for the licence number when you book, then check the licence card again when the locksmith arrives.
If a job goes wrong, Australian Consumer Law still protects you. Services must be carried out with an acceptable level of care and skill under the ACCC consumer guarantees, whether or not the locksmith mentions them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brisbane locksmiths more expensive on weekends?
Yes, most Brisbane locksmiths charge more on weekends and public holidays. Weekend lockouts usually sit at the top of each price range, because the after-hours call-out fee of $130 to $180 applies.
Should I rekey my locks after losing my keys in Brisbane?
Yes, rekey any lock the lost keys open, especially if the keys were with anything showing your address. In one Brisbane example, rekeying the front and back cylinders added about $130 to a lockout bill.
How much does it cost to remove a broken key from a lock in Brisbane?
Broken key extraction in Brisbane costs $80 to $300, and most jobs come to about $130. A Moorooka job that included servicing the barrel came to $190 with the call-out.
How much does it cost to fit a smart lock I bought myself?
Fitting a smart lock you already own typically costs $100 to $250 in Brisbane, including any door prep. Older timber doors sit at the higher end.
How much does an all-keys-lost car job cost in Brisbane?
When every key to the car is lost, expect to add $150 to $300 to the normal key replacement price. A transponder key job of about $330 can rise to around $550 when no working key is available.
Do Brisbane locksmith prices include GST?
The 2026 Brisbane price ranges in this guide include GST. Check that every quote you receive includes GST so you can compare locksmiths fairly.
Getting a Fair Locksmith Price in Brisbane
The fairest locksmith price is fixed and agreed in writing before anyone touches your lock. Check the licence on the OFT register, ask how after-hours work is priced, and group small jobs into one visit to pay the call-out fee once.
If you’d like a licensed Brisbane locksmith with a fixed written price, no after-hours surcharge and a written workmanship warranty, you can contact our team or call +61485854272.
