How much does coloured concrete cost per square metre in Australia in 2026?

Coloured and decorative concrete typically costs $100 to $150 per m² supplied and laid for stencilled, stamped or exposed aggregate finishes. Basic integral-coloured concrete with a broom finish can come in closer to $80 to $110 per m² on larger flat jobs. These are indicative ranges only. Get a written quote from a local concreter for an accurate price.

Is coloured concrete more expensive than plain concrete?

Yes, generally. Plain or broom-finish concrete runs $65 to $90 per m², while coloured and decorative finishes sit at $100 to $150 per m² or more. The extra cost covers pigments or aggregates, additional labour for the decorative application, and sealing. The premium is usually worthwhile for visible areas like driveways and entertaining spaces.

How long does coloured concrete last?

A well-installed and properly sealed coloured concrete surface can last 20 to 30 years or more. The colour itself is generally durable, particularly with oxide or integral pigments. Surface sealers need reapplying every two to five years on exterior surfaces. UV exposure in northern Australia can fade surface-applied colour hardeners faster than integral pigments.

Can I get coloured concrete for a pool surround?

Yes, exposed aggregate and honed concrete are popular choices for pool surrounds because they offer natural slip resistance. Make sure your concreter uses a non-slip sealer and is experienced with pool surrounds specifically, as the surface needs to handle pool chemicals, wet feet and prolonged sun exposure. Expect to pay at the upper end of the $100 to $150 per m² range.

Do I need council approval for a decorative concrete driveway?

It depends on your local council. Most councils require a permit for a new or widened vehicle crossover where it meets the kerb, regardless of finish. Replacing an existing driveway in the same footprint often does not need approval, but rules vary by state and local government area. Check with your council before work starts.

What is the cheapest decorative concrete finish?

Integral-coloured concrete with a standard broom or trowel finish is generally the most affordable decorative option, sitting toward $80 to $110 per m² on larger pours. Stencilling and stamping add labour cost, and polished concrete requires specialist grinding equipment. If budget is the primary concern, a single oxide colour in the mix with minimal patterning is the most cost-effective approach.

How do I maintain stencilled or stamped concrete?

Regular sweeping and occasional washing with a pH-neutral cleaner keeps the surface in good condition. Reseal every two to five years with a quality topical sealer suited to your finish. Avoid pressure washing at very high pressures, which can lift sealers. Inspect for chips or cracks annually and address them early before water or movement makes them worse.

Coloured & Decorative Concrete Cost 2026 | Australia

Decorative Concrete Prices at a Glance

Coloured, stencilled, stamped and exposed aggregate concrete typically costs $100 to $150 per m² supplied and laid across Australia in 2026. Polished concrete indoors sits in a similar range, from $80 to $150 per m² depending on the number of grind passes and finish level. Plain coloured concrete (integral pigment, broom finish) can come in closer to the $80-100 mark on larger, flat pours. Always get a written quote before committing, because site conditions shift the final figure significantly.

Decorative concrete is not a single product. It covers a wide family of finishes, including integral colour, oxide pigments, stencilling, stamping, exposed aggregate and honed or polished surfaces. Each has its own labour demands and material costs, which is why prices vary so widely even within one suburb.

The $100-$150 per m² range cited here reflects supplied and laid work on a reasonably accessible, flat residential site with standard preparation. Expect to sit toward the top of that range, or beyond it, for complex patterns, steep slopes, tight access, thick structural slabs, or premium aggregates.

Price Breakdown by Finish Type

The table below gives indicative 2026 ranges for the most common decorative concrete finishes. These are general market figures, not quotes. Your actual price depends on your site, the contractor, preparation required and the specific materials used.

Finish Type	Indicative Cost (per m²)	Common Uses
Integral / oxide coloured (broom or trowel finish)	$80-$110	Driveways, paths, patios
Stencilled concrete	$100-$150	Patios, pool surrounds, pathways
Stamped / pattern imprinted	$110-$150	Driveways, entertaining areas
Exposed aggregate	$100-$150	Driveways, paths, around pools
Honed concrete	$90-$130	Indoor floors, alfresco areas
Polished concrete (grind and polish)	$80-$150	Warehouse floors, homes, retail
Coloured + stencilled combo	$120-$160+	High-detail outdoor areas

Prices at the lower end of each range assume a larger pour (40 m² or more), flat ground, straightforward access and a finish that does not require multiple colours or intricate patterns. Smaller jobs attract a minimum call-out cost. Most contractors in 2026 quote a minimum job around $1,500 to $2,000 regardless of area, so a 10 m² patch rarely works out at the per-m² rate you might expect.

Oxide pigments and integral colour are added directly to the concrete mix before the pour. This is usually more durable and cost-effective long-term than a surface-applied colour hardener, though surface hardeners can produce richer, more even tones. Ask your concreter which method they use and why.

What Drives the Cost Up (or Down)

Site preparation and excavation

Excavation, formwork and base preparation can add $15-$40 per m² or more before the concrete even arrives. Rocky ground, tree roots or poor drainage complicate the job. In Perth, Adelaide and coastal Queensland, sandy soils often need extra compaction or a thicker sub-base.

Slab thickness and reinforcement

A standard 100 mm residential slab with mesh suits most decorative driveways and patios. A structural slab needing engineer-specified steel, thicker pours or post-tensioning pushes costs into the $80-$110+ per m² range for the concrete alone, before decorative finishes are added on top.

Access and pour logistics

If a concrete truck cannot get within a reasonable distance, you may need a pump truck. Pump hire commonly adds $600-$1,200+ to the job. Narrow laneways, steep slopes and inner-city sites in Sydney and Melbourne are common cost escalators.

Number of colours and pattern complexity

A single-colour stencil is straightforward. A two-tone stamped pattern with a contrasting border, an antiquing release agent and a sealer coat involves multiple trades and drying periods between stages. Each step adds labour cost.

Sealing

Nearly all decorative concrete should be sealed. Sealing is sometimes included in quotes and sometimes listed separately. A quality penetrating or topical sealer adds roughly $10-$25 per m². Some finishes, particularly exposed aggregate around pools, benefit from a non-slip additive in the sealer.

Location and regional pricing

Labour rates vary noticeably across Australia. Sydney and Melbourne generally sit at the higher end of the national range. Regional Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia can be slightly lower on labour, though material freight to remote areas can offset that. Always get at least two local quotes rather than relying on national averages.

Decorative concrete is not easily repaired to an invisible standard if it cracks, chips or the colour is inconsistent. Check that your concreter has done this type of finish specifically, not just standard flatwork. Ask for a portfolio and, where possible, visit a completed job a couple of years old to see how it has aged.

Typical Project Costs for Common Jobs

Abstract per-m² rates only go so far. Here are some rough total-cost scenarios based on typical residential projects, using the 2026 price ranges above. These are estimates only, not quotes.

Project	Approximate Size	Indicative Total Range
Coloured concrete driveway (single, flat)	40-50 m²	$5,000-$9,000
Stencilled patio or alfresco	25-40 m²	$3,500-$7,500
Exposed aggregate pool surrounds	50-80 m²	$6,500-$13,000+
Polished concrete indoor floor	50 m²	$5,000-$9,500
Stamped concrete entertaining area	30-50 m²	$4,500-$10,000
Small coloured path or landing	10-15 m²	$1,800-$3,500 (min. call-out applies)

Pool surrounds demand extra attention to finish texture. A slippery sealed surface next to a pool is a genuine safety issue, so factor in a non-slip sealer or an aggregate that naturally provides grip. This is not optional.

For driveways, a council crossover or kerb-and-channel reinstatement may also be needed if the access point is new or widened. In most states, this requires a council permit and sometimes a council-approved contractor. Budget an extra $500-$2,500 depending on your local government area and the scope of work.

Maintenance and Long-Term Costs

Decorative concrete is not maintenance-free. The initial installation cost is only part of the picture.

Resealing

Most topical sealers on exterior surfaces last two to five years, depending on UV exposure, foot traffic and cleaning. Resealing costs roughly $8-$20 per m² for a contractor application. Doing it yourself with a quality product costs less but demands correct surface prep or the new coat will peel.

Crack management

Concrete cracks. Good concreters place control joints to direct cracking to less visible locations. If your quote does not mention control joint placement or saw-cutting, ask about it. A cracked stencilled or coloured surface is hard to repair without visible patchwork.

Cleaning

Coloured and polished surfaces benefit from regular sweeping and occasional pressure washing, plus pH-neutral cleaners rather than harsh acids, which strip sealers. Pool chemicals splashing onto surrounds can also bleach and etch the surface over time.

Factor in resealing every three to five years when comparing decorative concrete against alternatives like pavers or timber decking. Over a ten-year period, total cost of ownership is often comparable, but the installed look and durability of well-laid decorative concrete generally holds up well in the Australian climate.

How to Get and Compare Quotes

Getting quotes for decorative concrete requires more preparation than a basic plain concrete pour. Because the finish is visible and long-lasting, small differences in technique and materials produce big differences in the end result.

What to give each contractor

A sketch or plan with accurate measurements of the area.
Photos of the site showing access, slope and any obstacles.
The finish type you want, ideally with a reference photo or sample.
Details of any existing concrete to be removed (add $30-$75 per m² for demolition and disposal).
Whether you need council crossover approval or engineering sign-off.

What to ask each contractor

What is included in the price: excavation, formwork, reinforcement, sealing?
What brand and type of pigment or aggregate will be used?
How many coats of sealer are included, and what product?
Where will control joints be placed?
What is the warranty on workmanship?
Are they licensed and insured in your state? Concrete work typically requires a contractor's licence in most states for works above a certain value.

Comparing quotes honestly

A lower quote is not always a better deal if it excludes preparation, uses cheaper sealers or skips reinforcement. Line up each quote item by item before deciding. Price differences of 20-30% between two quotes on the same job usually mean something is different in scope or material quality, not just profit margin.

Three quotes is a practical minimum for any decorative concrete job over $5,000. For polished concrete indoors, consider asking for a small sample area to be done first, particularly on an existing slab where the aggregate below is unknown.

Ask to see the contractor's public liability insurance certificate. For residential work, most states require a home building compensation (or equivalent) policy for structural work above a set dollar threshold. Decorative finishes on an existing slab may sit below that threshold, but verify this before signing anything.

Coloured & Decorative Concrete Cost Guide (2026)