6 ways to buy a kitchen in Australia in 2026, including from China
Reviewed by Bo, Project Manager at NOVARTE · Updated
IKEA, Kaboodle, local cabinetmakers, large Chinese brands, Foshan export factories and sourcing agents compared on price range, warranty and fit.
The practical answer
IKEA, Kaboodle through Bunnings, a local cabinetmaker, a large Chinese custom brand, an export-focused Foshan factory such as NOVARTE, and an independent sourcing agent are six ways to buy a kitchen for Australia. Compare the supplied products, total installed cost, warranty channel and responsibility for measurement and installation.
1. IKEA: a modular retail system
What it is: a retail kitchen system with planning, delivery and installation services available. It can suit a layout that works with the selected range’s modules. Watch the distinction between supply, assembly and installation when comparing quotations.
Cost reference: Yellow Pages’ May 2026 guide gives AUD 3,200–7,400 for a small IKEA flat-pack kitchen. This is a third-party estimate, not a current IKEA offer. IKEA Australia states a 25-year guarantee for METOD and 10 years for ENHET, subject to the applicable terms and domestic-use conditions.
2. Kaboodle through Bunnings: modular and selected custom sizes
What it is: a kitchen range sold through Bunnings, useful for buyers who want to inspect a retail range and organise their own installation route. Confirm which dimensions can be customised rather than assuming every unit can be made to any size.
Cost reference: the Yellow Pages comparison table lists AUD 4,500–15,000 for Kaboodle; its other passages use slightly different ranges. This illustrates why an itemised quotation matters. Kaboodle’s current website describes a 10-year product warranty and a separate lifetime structural warranty on eligible cabinet carcasses while you own and live in the home. Read the full conditions and registration requirements.
3. A local cabinetmaker: nearby measurement and fitting
What it is: a business that designs and supplies custom cabinetry locally, often with measurement and installation available in the same commercial arrangement. It can suit a complex site or a project where nearby adjustment and aftercare are priorities.
Cost reference: Yellow Pages gives AUD 15,000–50,000 for a custom kitchen. Scope varies widely. Ask whether benchtops, removal, services, painting and changes are included; proximity alone does not define quality or the contract.
4. A large Chinese custom brand: check the actual export channel
What it is: a brand with an established product and project network. OPPEIN’s own FAQ says its custom furnishing products are available in 146 countries and regions, and describes a project collaboration route. Confirm the Australian dealer or project contact for your order directly with the company.
Best for: buyers whose specifications and quantity suit the chosen channel. Confirm the contract, samples, measurement, installation and warranty contact, then agree a project-specific delivery programme.
5. NOVARTE: a Foshan factory and project coordination team
What it is: custom cabinetry made in Foshan, with furniture and selected interior materials coordinated to an agreed package. Factory assembly can be discussed alongside Australian measurement and local installation support.
Best for: a defined custom kitchen or wider package with time to approve drawings, samples and shipping arrangements. Existing planning references are 7–14 days for drawings and samples and typically 30–45 days for production after final approval, plus shipping and clearance. Quantity, materials and complexity change the agreed schedule. Watch the complete delivered and installed scope; request a quotation for your own plans.
6. An independent sourcing agent: buying across suppliers
What it is: a service that helps identify, compare and coordinate suppliers. It can suit a mixed product list or a buying trip, provided the agent’s fee, supplier relationships and responsibilities are transparent.
Watch who is responsible if a product fails, a shipment is incomplete or suppliers disagree. Ask whether you contract directly with each factory, how inspections are recorded and whether replacement parts and destination assistance are included.
Compare the six routes on the same basis
| Route | Published cost reference | Installation to confirm | Useful starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Small-kitchen estimate: AUD 3,200–7,400 | Separate scope and service availability | Modular retail layout |
| Kaboodle | Estimate: AUD 4,500–15,000 | Assembly and fitting arrangements | Retail selection with specified custom options |
| Local cabinetmaker | Estimate: AUD 15,000–50,000 | Inclusions in the local contract | Site-specific custom work |
| Large Chinese brand | Varies — ask for a quote | Dealer or project channel | Defined branded package |
| NOVARTE | Ask for a project quotation | Measurement, fitting and travel conditions | Custom cabinetry and coordinated furniture |
| Sourcing agent | Products plus agreed service fees | Separate local responsibilities | Multiple suppliers or a buying trip |
Next steps
Sources
Common questions
Which route is cheapest?+
Retail flat-pack ranges such as IKEA and Kaboodle usually have the lowest upfront price for standard layouts. Add installation, plumbing and electrical work, and compare the same specification across routes.
Is importing a kitchen worthwhile?+
Often, for planned new builds and whole-house renovations where local custom work would cost more. For small or urgent jobs, a local cabinetmaker is usually the better route.
Why is NOVARTE included?+
NOVARTE publishes this guide and is one of the six buying routes. The disclosure identifies our role so you can compare channels, scope and responsibilities directly.