Gearbox Replacement Cost Australia: Prices, Labour & Options

Table of Contents

1. Quick Answer: What Does a Gearbox Replacement Cost in Australia?
2. Gearbox Replacement Cost at a Glance
3. Gearbox Replacement Cost Breakdown
4. Gearbox-Only Price Versus Fitted Cost
5. New Gearbox and Transmission Costs
6. Used and Second-Hand Gearbox Costs
7. Reconditioned and Remanufactured Prices
8. How Gearbox Type Affects the Quote
9. Automatic Transmission Cost Factors
10. Manual Gearbox Cost Factors
11. DSG and CVT Gearbox Cost Factors
12. Installation and Labour Charges
13. Replacement Costs by Vehicle
14. Repair or Replace the Gearbox?
15. Rebuild or Buy a Replacement Gearbox?
16. Clutch and Other Additional Repair Costs
17. Replacement Versus a Transmission Swap
18. Diagnosis and Checks Before Replacement
19. Gearbox Replacement Quote Checklist
20. Gearbox Replacement Cost FAQs
21. How much does gearbox replacement cost in Australia?
22. Is it cheaper to repair, rebuild or replace a gearbox?
23. How do automatic and manual gearbox replacement quotes differ?
24. What is included in a reconditioned gearbox price?
25. Does a replacement gearbox quote include labour and fluids?
26. Should clutch work be included in the same quote?
27. Does a gearbox service replace the gearbox?
28. Is a transmission swap the same as replacement?
29. How do I know if my car has transmission problems?
30. What should I check before buying a used gearbox?
31. How can I reduce the cost of a gearbox replacement?

Gearbox replacement cost in Australia has no single answer, because two quotes with the same headline price can cover very different jobs. One may be a bare unit with no transfer case or fluid, another a supply-and-fit package, and a third a repair that never replaces the gearbox at all. Gearbox, gear box or transmission, the same rule applies: find out what a price includes before you compare it. This guide separates the gearbox price from the fitted cost, then sets out dated Australian price points for new, used and reconditioned units, labour, repair and rebuild work, clutch jobs and gearbox swaps. Every figure carries its source and the date it was published or read, and undated pages are labelled. Where we could not find a dated Australian figure, we say so and do not guess. If you are weighing a bigger job, see our engine replacement cost guide, and for dual-clutch units read our common dual-clutch transmission issues guide.

Quick Answer: What Does a Gearbox Replacement Cost in Australia?

All listing prices below are asking prices read between 22 and 25 October 2026, not sale prices. None of the listings said whether GST was included.

• Whole job: a national repairer’s gearbox page (undated) gives roughly $3,000 to $12,000 or more for a replacement, $1,800 to $3,500 plus labour and installation for a reconditioned gearbox, and roughly $200 to $1,000 or more for basic repairs. Treat these as a published range from a business, not a survey.
• Older range: a business directory’s guide (20 March 2023) put a complete replacement at $1,000 to $5,000 and a manual at about $1,500 to $3,000 for a common car. It is older, so treat it with care.
• Unit only, new: a Ford parts dealer’s listing shows a new genuine 6-speed automatic for the PX Ranger 4WD and Everest 4WD at $8,926.85, complete with torque converter.
• Unit only, used: a Ford wrecker’s listing shows a used 6-speed automatic for the Everest at $2,675, without the transfer case. A Victorian parts marketplace listed used gearboxes from $460 (a Toyota Echo manual) to $4,025 (a Subaru Forester Hybrid) for the cars we checked.
• Fitting: one older source (March 2023) gives roughly 8 to 10 hours to remove and refit a gearbox, with no hourly rate. A parts retailer’s clutch guide (29 May 2026) gives $100 to $180 an hour for clutch work.
• Clutch: the same guide gives $800 to $2,000 or more for a clutch kit plus labour, and notes that a clutch job means removing the transmission.
• Rules: fitting the manufacturer’s optional gearbox for the same make and model is a basic modification under the national code, while a gearbox from a different make or model needs certification. Check your own state’s rules.

Gearbox Replacement Cost at a Glance

1. New gearbox

• Price signal: $8,926.85 for a new genuine Ford 6-speed automatic (6R80) for the PX Ranger 4WD and Everest 4WD, with an RRP shown as $9,882.35. Also $3,890 for a new genuine 5-speed manual for the HZJ105 LandCruiser series
• Includes: the Ford listing says the unit is complete with torque converter. The manual listing includes a new mount, clutch fork, throw-out bearing and bellhousing
• Watch for: the Ford listing says the valve body must be programmed with a Ford scan tool after fitting, and it shows no warranty terms

2. Used gearbox

• Price signal: $2,500 to $2,700 for used 3.2 diesel automatics for the Everest and BT-50, and $460 to $4,025 for the cars we checked on a Victorian parts marketplace
• Includes: varies by listing. The Everest and BT-50 listings leave out the transfer case
• Watch for: a 3 month parts warranty on the bare unit that excludes labour and freight, and fitment that depends on your VIN and calibration

3. Reconditioned gearbox

• Price signal: $1,800 to $3,500 plus labour and installation (a national repairer’s page, undated)
• Includes: the page does not say what is replaced
• Watch for: the word “reconditioned” means different things to different suppliers, so ask what was done and whether it is documented

4. Repair or rebuild of your existing gearbox

• Price signal: roughly $200 to $1,000 or more for basic repairs (a national repairer’s page, undated). We found no dated Australian price for a full rebuild
• Time: 1 to 2 days for repairs and at least 3 to 4 days for reconditioning (same page), or about two weeks for repairs at a Sydney specialist
• Watch for: diagnosis fees, and a repair quote that does not match a replacement quote’s inclusions

5. Fitting and labour

• Price signal: roughly 8 to 10 hours to remove and refit (March 2023), at $100 to $180 an hour on the clutch guide’s figures (29 May 2026). That is an illustration, not a quote
• Watch for: hours and rate shown separately, and whether the quote includes fluid and programming

6. Clutch and other extras

• Price signal: $200 to $800 for a clutch kit and $800 to $2,000 or more with labour (29 May 2026)
• Examples: flywheel, bearings, seals, sensors, torque converter, transfer case, fluid, freight and GST
• Watch for: the same gearbox can look cheaper or dearer depending on what is left out

Gearbox Replacement Cost Breakdown

A gearbox replacement quote is several costs added together. The unit is the biggest line, and fitting is usually the second.

What can be in a quote

• The gearbox: new, reconditioned, rebuilt or used, with a gearbox code and a condition
• Parts that go with it: the torque converter on an automatic, and the clutch, release bearing and flywheel on a manual. The Ford listing includes the torque converter, and the used Everest listing says it comes with the complete transmission “supplier dependent”
• Fitting: removing the old gearbox, fitting the replacement, filling it with fluid and testing
• Programming: the Ford listing says the valve body must be programmed with a Ford scan tool after fitting
• Freight: a regional or interstate delivery can be extra
• Tax: none of the listings we read said whether GST was included
• Cores and returns: some suppliers set conditions on returns, and the new manual listing we read has no core fee

A worked example, not a quote

A used Ford Everest 3.2 six-speed automatic was listed at $2,675 without the transfer case. Take 8 to 10 hours of fitting time from the March 2023 source and an hourly rate of $100 to $180 from the May 2026 clutch guide, and fitting comes to roughly $800 to $1,800. Together the unit and fitting come to roughly $3,475 to $4,475. That adds numbers from three separate sources, uses a clutch-job rate for a gearbox job and leaves out freight, fluid, GST, programming, other parts and anything found once the old gearbox is out, so a real quote will differ.

Why published totals disagree

The sources we read give different ranges for what looks like the same job. The national repairer’s replacement range of $3,000 to $12,000 or more is wide. A Melbourne workshop (6 August 2026) gives $800 to $1,500 for compact cars and $1,500 to $2,500 or more for SUVs and crossovers, with labour included, but does not say what kind of unit that covers, so it is best read as a low outlier. The gap is a reminder to compare the scope of each quote, not just the total.

Gearbox-Only Price Versus Fitted Cost

A gearbox price and a gearbox replacement price are not the same thing. Check which one you are reading before you compare.

Reading a unit-only price

• Bare unit: the Everest and BT-50 wrecker listings sell the assembly without a transfer case. The Everest listing adds that the torque converter comes with the complete transmission, depending on the supplier
• Parts included: the new genuine manual listing includes a mount, clutch fork, throw-out bearing and bellhousing, and ships dry, meaning without oil
• Warranty on the bare unit: the wrecker listings give a 3 month parts warranty on the unit only, excluding labour and freight, and say it is void if the unit is installed incorrectly

Reading a fitted price

• Supply and fit: a fitted quote should say whether it includes the unit, fluid, programming and testing
• Reconditioned: the national repairer’s $1,800 to $3,500 is “plus labour and installation”, so it is not a fitted total
• Not assumed: do not assume a fitted quote is only labour. Ask what parts, fluids and testing it includes

New Gearbox and Transmission Costs

A new gearbox cost depends on what the supplier means by new. We found two cases in the listings.

• New genuine Ford automatic: the part is a 6R80 6-speed 4X4 automatic (part number FB3Z7000D), listed as brand new and complete with torque converter. The sale price is $8,926.85, down from an RRP of $9,882.35, a saving of $955.50. It fits PX Ranger 4WD from 3 June 2015 and Everest UA 4WD from 29 June 2015. The listing says the valve body must be programmed with a Ford scan tool after fitting. It does not mention a transfer case or show warranty terms
• New genuine manual: an R151 5-speed for the HZJ105 LandCruiser series is $3,890, with no core fee and a 12 month warranty plus your Australian Consumer Law rights. The page was updated on 13 October 2026. Unused parts can be returned within 30 days less a restocking fee. It is not a Hilux gearbox, and we use it only to show what a new manual price can include
• Other models: we found no dated price for a new gearbox for a Hilux, Subaru, Golf, Commodore or dual-clutch car, so we give none
• Published range: the national repairer’s replacement range runs from roughly $3,000 to $12,000 or more and does not split new from used

If you are asking how much a new transmission costs for your car, the honest answer is to ask for a written quote that names the gearbox code and what is included.

Used and Second-Hand Gearbox Costs

A second hand transmission cost depends on the donor vehicle, the gearbox code and what is included. Ask for the kilometres, whether the unit was tested and what the warranty covers.

• Everest UA 3.2 (P5AT) 6-speed automatic, AWD/4WD: $2,675 at a Ford wrecker. It does not include the transfer case. The torque converter is included with the complete transmission, depending on the supplier. It fits the Everest UA from 2015 to 2022 and the Ranger PX MkII and MkIII 3.2, subject to VIN and calibration compatibility. The warranty is 3 months on parts for the bare unit, and returns are accepted within 30 days with prior notice
• Mazda BT-50 UR 3.2 (P5AT) 4WD automatic: $2,500, assembly only, without the transfer case, for builds from September 2015 to June 2020, with the same 3 month parts warranty
• Victorian parts marketplace, Ford: Everest UA AWD automatic (P5AT) $2,700, Mondeo MD diesel automatic $2,530, Ranger PJ 4WD manual (2006 to 2011) $2,300, Focus LZ 1.5 automatic $1,125, Falcon BA automatic $792 and Focus LV 2.0 manual $720
• Victorian parts marketplace, Toyota: Kluger automatic $1,725, Corolla ZRE182 automatic $1,080 and Echo manual $460, plus an older Hilux 4WD manual (G52, 1988 to 1997) at $2,025
• Victorian parts marketplace, Subaru: XV GP automatic $3,300, Forester Hybrid (2022) $4,025, Impreza GD manual $2,530, XV GP 4WD manual $1,138.50, Forester SH automatic $1,138.50, Impreza GK automatic $1,138.50, Tribeca automatic $1,089 and Liberty automatic $800
• Victorian parts marketplace, other: one Touareg 3.0 diesel automatic at $1,500 in New South Wales
• What the marketplace pages do not show: GST, kilometres, condition or a warranty on each listing. The site states a general “30 to 90 day wrecker warranty”

Most of the prices above do not state GST, so compare quotes on the same basis. A cheap unit still needs fitting, so keep the labour line visible.

Reconditioned and Remanufactured Prices

Suppliers use “reconditioned”, “rebuilt” and “remanufactured” in different ways, and we did not find a standard definition in the sources we read. Ask what was replaced, what was tested and whether the work is documented.

• Reconditioned gearbox: $1,800 to $3,500 plus labour and installation, and at least 3 to 4 days (a national repairer’s page, undated). The page does not say what is replaced
• Quotes up front: the same page says quotes are given after inspection
• Sydney specialist (page undated, © 2024): transmissions carry a 1 year or 20,000 km warranty unless stated otherwise, and the diagnosis fee of $350 is waived if you approve the repairs. The specialist needs the car for at least 48 hours for diagnosis, and repairs usually take about two weeks
• Buying a rebuilt unit versus rebuilding yours: buying a unit means swapping gearboxes. Rebuilding yours means the workshop repairs your existing unit. See “Rebuild or Buy a Replacement Gearbox?” below

We found no dated Australian price for a reconditioned gearbox for a specific model, so the range above is a general guide only. The reconditioned gearbox price for your car depends on the code, the work done and the warranty.

How Gearbox Type Affects the Quote

The type of gearbox changes what is in the quote, because each type brings different parts and checks. We found prices for automatics and manuals, and none for DSG, PowerShift or CVT units.

Automatic Transmission Cost Factors

Automatic transmission replacement cost depends on the gearbox code, the torque converter and whether a transfer case is involved. The listings we read show the pattern.

• Known units: a new genuine 6R80 automatic is $8,926.85, and used 3.2 diesel automatics for the Everest and BT-50 are $2,500 to $2,700, without the transfer case on those listings
• Passenger cars: used automatics on the Victorian marketplace ranged from $792 (Falcon BA) to $3,300 (XV GP), leaving aside the Forester Hybrid at $4,025, with no kilometres or condition shown
• Ranger and Everest: the 6-speed automatic pairs with the 3.2 five-cylinder diesel across the PX, PX2 and PX3 Rangers (2011 to 2022). The 10-speed (10R80) fits the 2.0 Bi-Turbo and most Next-Gen Rangers, and we found no dated price for it. Confirm which transmission is fitted, and do not assume it from the model year. Our Ford Ranger gearbox issues guide covers this
• Cost to replace an automatic transmission: the national repairer’s replacement range is roughly $3,000 to $12,000 or more, and the 2023 business directory’s range is $1,000 to $5,000
• Programming: the Ford listing says the valve body needs programming after fitting. Ask whether the workshop can do it and whether it is in the quote
• Fluid: fluid requirements depend on the unit, so confirm them for your exact gearbox rather than assuming

Manual Gearbox Cost Factors

Manual gearbox replacement cost is often lower than an automatic’s in the listings we read, but the clutch changes the picture.

• Used manuals: $460 (Echo) to $2,530 (Impreza GD), with the Ranger PJ 4WD manual at $2,300 and the XV GP 4WD manual at $1,138.50, all asking prices from the Victorian marketplace
• New manual: $3,890 for the HZJ105 R151, including a mount, clutch fork, throw-out bearing and bellhousing
• General range: the 2023 business directory puts a manual at about $1,500 to $3,000 for a common car. That is older, so treat it with care
• Clutch: a clutch job means removing the transmission (parts retailer, 29 May 2026), so ask whether the clutch should be inspected or renewed while the gearbox is out. That is our suggestion, not a sourced rule. See “Clutch and Other Additional Repair Costs” below
• Ranger manual: the Ranger has a 6-speed manual too. We found no dated price for one

DSG and CVT Gearbox Cost Factors

DSG and PowerShift are dual-clutch designs, and a CVT is a different design again. The codes and designs matter, because the parts and procedures differ from a conventional automatic.

• Prices: we found no verified DSG gearbox price or DSG gearbox replacement cost, and none for a PowerShift or CVT unit, new, used or reconditioned. We give none
• Parts, not units: a VW group parts retailer lists a DQ250 DSG clutch repair kit at $2,049.62 and a service kit at $2,058.50. These are parts for working on a unit and not a gearbox price, and we did not verify what each kit contains beyond its title
• Service is not replacement: a Sydney booking platform (11 October 2026) puts a VW DSG service outside warranty at $400 to $650, citing one workshop. That is maintenance and not a repair or a replacement
• Known risk: the ACCC said on 26 April 2018 that 37 per cent of Ford PowerShift vehicles needed at least one clutch replacement. Our common dual-clutch transmission issues guide covers what goes wrong. It gives no repair or replacement prices
• What to do: for a VW Golf or Ford PowerShift car, ask for a written diagnosis and a quote that names the exact gearbox code and what part of the unit is being replaced or repaired

Installation and Labour Charges

Transmission installation cost is the second big line in most quotes, and the sources we found do not agree or give much detail.

What the sources say

• Hours: roughly 8 to 10 hours to remove and refit a gearbox, from the business directory’s guide (20 March 2023). It gives no hourly rates
• Rate: $100 to $180 an hour for clutch work, from a parts retailer’s guide (29 May 2026). We found no hourly rate specific to a gearbox replacement
• Clutch jobs: 4 to 8 hours on the same guide, which says the job requires removing the transmission
• Time off the road: the national repairer’s page gives 1 to 4 days for a replacement, 1 to 2 days for repairs and at least 3 to 4 days for reconditioning. A Sydney specialist says repairs usually take about two weeks

What to ask for

• Hours and rate separately, not just a total, so you can compare quotes
• What the fitted price includes: the unit, fluid, the torque converter or clutch parts, programming, testing and freight
• Programming and calibration: the Ford listing says the valve body must be programmed with a Ford scan tool, and the Everest listing says fitment is subject to VIN and calibration compatibility
• Installation conditions: the wrecker’s warranty is void if the unit is installed incorrectly, so ask who is responsible for the installation and what happens if there is a fault
• Additional parts: the Everest listing’s terms recommend renewing timing belts and oil seals. Ask the seller which seals it means for a gearbox job

We found no verified labour time for a specific model, and the figures above come from separate sources and not a survey. Keep labour-only prices distinct from installed totals.

Replacement Costs by Vehicle

The same model badge can carry different gearboxes across its build years, and each gearbox has its own price. The listings we read show it clearly. Prices below are dated asking prices read between 22 and 25 October 2026, not sale prices.

Ford Ranger and Everest (and the Mazda BT-50)

• New genuine automatic: $8,926.85 for the 6R80 6-speed 4X4 automatic, listed for the PX Ranger 4WD from 3 June 2015 and the Everest UA 4WD from 29 June 2015, complete with torque converter
• Used automatic: $2,675 at a Ford wrecker and $2,700 on a Victorian marketplace for the Everest UA 3.2 (P5AT), and $2,500 for the BT-50 UR 3.2 4WD. The wrecker listings leave out the transfer case
• Used manual: $2,300 for a Ranger PJ 4WD manual (2006 to 2011) on the marketplace
• Which gearbox: the 6-speed automatic pairs with the 3.2 five-cylinder diesel across the PX, PX2 and PX3 Rangers (2011 to 2022). The 10-speed (10R80) fits the 2.0 Bi-Turbo and most Next-Gen Rangers. We found no dated price for the 10-speed or the Ranger’s 6-speed manual, so a Ford Ranger gearbox replacement cost for those is not something we can quote. Confirm which transmission is fitted. Our Ford Ranger gearbox issues guide covers the known problems and the 10-speed’s official recalls
• Compatibility: the Everest listing covers the Everest UA from 2015 to 2022 and the Ranger PX MkII and MkIII 3.2, subject to VIN and calibration compatibility

Toyota Hilux

• What we found: the only Hilux gearbox listing was an older 4WD manual (G52, 1988 to 1997) at $2,025 on the marketplace. It is not a guide to a modern Hilux, and we found no dated price for a current Hilux gearbox, new, used or reconditioned
• Other Toyota units: Kluger automatic $1,725, Corolla ZRE182 automatic $1,080 and Echo manual $460 on the same marketplace. They show how widely Toyota prices vary, not what a Hilux costs
• What to do: ask for a written quote that names the gearbox code, the drivetrain and the build date. See our Toyota Hilux common problems guide for known issues

Subaru

• Used units on the marketplace: XV GP automatic $3,300, Forester Hybrid (2022) $4,025, Impreza GD manual $2,530, XV GP 4WD manual $1,138.50, Forester SH automatic $1,138.50, Impreza GK automatic $1,138.50, Tribeca automatic $1,089 and Liberty automatic $800
• Same price, different units: three different Subaru units are listed at $1,138.50, so ask what each includes and which code it is
• Limit: we found no dated price for a new or reconditioned Subaru gearbox, so a Subaru gearbox replacement cost for your car needs a quote against its code

Volkswagen Golf and other VW models

• Golf: we found no dated price for a Golf gearbox of any type. Check which gearbox your Golf has, because some use a DSG dual-clutch unit and the code matters
• Related: one Touareg 3.0 diesel automatic at $1,500 in New South Wales, and the DSG repair parts described above. We found no price for a Tiguan, GTI, T4 or T5 gearbox
• What to read next: our common dual-clutch transmission issues guide, which gives no repair prices

Holden Commodore (VE and VF)

• VE Commodore and VF Commodore transmission replacement cost: we did not find a dated listing or published cost for either, so we give no figure
• What to do: ask for a written quote that names the gearbox code, the build date and what is included

Other models that came up in searches

• Ford Focus, Mondeo and Falcon: Focus LZ 1.5 automatic $1,125, Focus LV 2.0 manual $720, Mondeo MD diesel automatic $2,530 and Falcon BA automatic $792 on the marketplace
• No dated price found: Ford PowerShift units, Ford Territory, Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai, Audi, BMW and the other models readers search for

Factors that change the price

• Gearbox code and build date: not just the model name
• Drivetrain: the used Everest and BT-50 listings leave out the transfer case, so a 4WD can need more than one line item
• Type: automatic, manual, dual-clutch or CVT
• Condition and inclusions: new, reconditioned or used, bare or with torque converter and clutch parts
• Whether other work is needed: a clutch, seals or programming can change the total

Repair or Replace the Gearbox?

Start with a written diagnosis. A repair, a rebuild and a replacement answer different problems, and each quote should say what it covers. A gearbox repair cost is not automatically lower than replacement, so compare quotes that have the same inclusions.

Published figures side by side

• Basic repairs: roughly $200 to $1,000 or more, and 1 to 2 days (a national repairer’s page, undated)
• Reconditioning: roughly $1,800 to $3,500 plus labour and installation, and at least 3 to 4 days (same page)
• Replacement: roughly $3,000 to $12,000 or more, and 1 to 4 days (same page)
• Sydney specialist (page undated, © 2024): repairs usually take about two weeks, the diagnosis fee is $350, and it is waived if you approve the repairs
• Used unit listing: $2,675 for an Everest 6-speed automatic, before fitting, freight and extras

These ranges overlap, and the national repairer does not say what each includes. A repair that needs a new part, a longer job or an exchange unit can move into the reconditioning or replacement range.

A service is not a repair

• A Sydney booking platform (11 October 2026) says an automatic transmission fluid service is maintenance and not a cure for a fault nobody has identified, and that a diagnosis may be a separate charge
• Its indicative figures are $250 to $550 for a basic automatic service and $500 to $1,000 or more for a more involved one. See the FAQ on gearbox service cost below

How to compare

• Ask each workshop for a written quote that names the work, the parts and the warranty
• Ask how the price changes if more damage is found once the gearbox is opened
• Compare a repair quote with a replacement quote that has the same inclusions, including fitting, fluid and programming
• Consider the vehicle’s value and how long you plan to keep it. That is our suggestion, not a sourced rule

Rebuild or Buy a Replacement Gearbox?

A rebuild means a workshop works on your existing gearbox. Buying a replacement means swapping in another unit. The costs sit in different places, so the two quotes need to be read differently.

Rebuilding your existing gearbox

• What the price is made of: parts and labour for the work done on your unit, plus removal and refitting if they are not already in the quote
• Verified figures: we found no dated Australian price for a full gearbox rebuild, and none for a manual transmission rebuild or a gearbox refurbishment. The closest published number is the national repairer’s reconditioning range of $1,800 to $3,500 plus labour and installation
• Time and warranty: a Sydney specialist says repairs usually take about two weeks and its transmissions carry a 1 year or 20,000 km warranty unless stated otherwise (page undated)
• Gearbox rebuild cost depends on what is found: ask how the quote changes if more is worn than the diagnosis showed

Buying a replacement unit

• Used or reconditioned: the prices in the sections above, plus fitting
• Documentation: ask what was replaced, tested and recorded, and what the warranty covers

Is it cheaper to buy a gearbox or rebuild yours? We found no source that compares the two for a specific vehicle, so the only reliable answer is two itemised quotes with the same inclusions.

Clutch and Other Additional Repair Costs

A complete gearbox replacement is not the same as a part-level repair, and a quote can mix the two. Keep each line separate so you know what you are paying for.

Clutch work

• Clutch kit parts: $200 to $800 (a parts retailer’s guide, 29 May 2026)
• Parts plus labour: $800 to $2,000 or more, at $100 to $180 an hour for 4 to 8 hours (same guide)
• Why it links to the gearbox: the guide says a clutch replacement requires removing the transmission, and that replacing a worn flywheel in the same job can prevent repeat labour. A kit includes the clutch plate, pressure plate and release bearing
• Combined price: we found no verified price for a clutch and gearbox replacement together, and adding two separately sourced numbers does not make a quote. Ask for one quote with each line itemised

Other parts that may be priced separately

• Bearings, seals, synchros, pumps, sensors, torque converters and shift mechanisms: each can be a component repair and not a complete gearbox replacement. We found no dated Australian price for a gearbox bearing, seal, synchro, transmission pump, transmission sensor, torque converter or gear shift replacement, so we give none
• Torque converter: the new Ford listing includes one, and the used Everest listing says it comes with the complete transmission, depending on the supplier. Ask directly
• Transfer case: the used Everest and BT-50 listings leave it out
• Fluid: fluid requirements depend on the exact unit. A new manual gearbox listing we read ships dry, meaning without oil

What to ask

• Which of these parts is in the unit price and which is extra
• Whether the diagnosis points to a part or to the whole gearbox
• Whether the clutch, flywheel or seals should be renewed while the gearbox is out. That is our suggestion, not a sourced rule

Replacement Versus a Transmission Swap

People use “transmission swap” for two different jobs, and the cost and the rules differ.

• Like-for-like replacement: the same gearbox, or one the manufacturer offered for that model, put in place of the failed one
• Swap or conversion: a gearbox from another model, an automatic changed to a manual or the reverse, or an alternative transmission

What the sources say

• National code: VSB 14 Section LB Transmission (version 2.0, 1 January 2011, hosted on the federal infrastructure department’s site) lists fitting a manufacturer’s optional gearbox for the same make and model, with unmodified components and installed to the manufacturer’s specifications, as a basic modification that needs no certification. Fitting a manual or automatic transmission from a different vehicle make or model needs certification. The section also covers conversions between automatic and manual, changes to the gearbox or final drive ratio that alter speedometer accuracy, a rear axle from a different make or model and an alternative transmission tunnel. It says replacement components should have adequate torque capacity for the vehicle’s engine output. It is the 2011 version, so check for a newer one
• Queensland (page updated 1 July 2026): “gearbox changes” are listed among complex modifications that need an approved person. The page does not separately list a like-for-like gearbox replacement as a basic modification, and the notification list we read, which covers details such as the engine number, did not include transmission type. Ask the department if your case is unclear
• New South Wales (page last modified 9 July 2026): the page does not address gearboxes directly. It says to speak to a licensed certifier before making significant modifications
• Victoria (undated page): the page we read covers engine changes and does not mention transmissions
• Other states and territories: we did not check Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory

What a swap can add to the budget

• Engineering and certification, where the rules require it
• Work to keep the speedometer accurate if the gearbox or final drive ratio changes
• A different transmission tunnel, where the new gearbox needs one
• A gearbox with enough torque capacity for the engine

We found no verified Australian price for a transmission swap or conversion. So transmission swap cost should be budgeted separately once the scope is known, using written quotes. Compare only quotes with the same scope.

Diagnosis and Checks Before Replacement

A gearbox fault is not always a gearbox replacement. Check the cause first, and get it in writing.

Signs people look for

One Australian workshop’s blog (28 July 2023) lists these as signs of a transmission problem:

• Delayed engagement: a noticeable lag before the car moves after shifting into drive or reverse
• Fluid leaks: bright or dirty red fluid under the car
• Clutch drag or shaking: difficulty shifting or shaking during gear changes
• Slipping gears: the transmission slips out of gear
• Warning light: a light that comes on when the system has an error
• Unusual sounds: whining, clunking or humming
• Unusual smells: a burning smell, which the blog links to low or degraded fluid

Why a symptom is not a diagnosis

• The same blog attributes a car that will not go into gear to a worn clutch plate, shift cable or clutch linkage, and slipping to worn bands or low fluid. Some of these causes are not the gearbox itself
• It says the warning light signals that an error exists in the transmission system. It does not say the light identifies the specific fault. A warning light alone does not tell you the gearbox needs replacing
• The blog gives no diagnostic procedure, so ask a workshop to explain what it tested and found

Before you approve a replacement

• Written diagnosis: ask what failed and why replacement is recommended. A Sydney specialist charges $350 for diagnosis, waived if you approve the repairs (page undated), and a booking platform says diagnosis may be a separate charge
• Terminology: “gearbox” and “transmission” are often used for the same thing. Ask exactly what is covered, because the used Everest and BT-50 listings treat the transfer case as a separate item
• Warranty terms: the wrecker listings we read give 3 months on parts for the bare unit, excluding labour and freight, and void it if the unit is installed incorrectly. A Sydney specialist’s page gives 1 year or 20,000 km unless stated otherwise. Verify the terms for the exact supplier
• Buying a used 4×4: our guide on what to check on a used 4×4 covers inspection steps

Gearbox Replacement Quote Checklist

Ask for each of these in writing and confirm it against the actual quote.

• Gearbox code and fitment: the exact code, the build date or VIN, and confirmation that it fits your vehicle (the Everest listing says fitment is subject to VIN and calibration compatibility)
• Condition: new, reconditioned, rebuilt or used, and the kilometres if used
• Inclusions: the torque converter, clutch parts, transfer case, mounts, flywheel and sensors
• Labour: hours and hourly rate, plus whether removal and installation are in the price
• Fluids and programming: gearbox fluid, and any scan-tool programming such as the Ford valve body step
• Extra parts: clutch, seals, bearings and anything the workshop wants renewed while the gearbox is out
• Freight: to your postcode
• Tax: whether the price includes GST
• Warranty: length, whether it covers the bare unit only, whether labour is covered, and what voids it
• Exchange and return conditions: any core, restocking fee or return window stated by the supplier. The new manual listing we read allows unused parts back within 30 days less a restocking fee, and the used Everest listing allows returns within 30 days with prior notice
• Additional work: what happens if the workshop finds more damage once the old gearbox is out

The Western Australian Consumer Protection page (updated 4 December 2023) advises asking for a written quote or estimate detailing the work and cost, says an accepted quote forms a contract binding both sides, and says you should not automatically authorise additional repairs. It also says the Australian Consumer Law requires repairs to be done with due care and skill, including when second-hand parts are used. That page covers Western Australia, so check your own state’s consumer affairs body.

Gearbox Replacement Cost FAQs