What is the average cost of concrete per m² in Australia in 2026?

For supplied and laid concrete, the typical range is $65–$90 per m² for a plain broom or trowel finish, rising to $100–$150 per m² for decorative finishes like exposed aggregate or stamped concrete. These figures cover standard residential work and do not include excavation, formwork or site-specific extras. Get a written quote for your job.

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Australia?

A single residential driveway of around 40–50 m² commonly totals $4,000–$9,000 depending on finish, site access, prep work and location. Exposed aggregate or heavily prepared sites sit at the higher end. Always get an itemised quote that specifies the finish, reinforcement and what prep work is included.

Why is there a minimum charge for concrete jobs?

Most concreters have fixed costs for any job regardless of size, including travel, equipment, ordering a minimum concrete truck load and labour for setup and cleanup. These typically translate to a minimum job charge of around $1,500–$2,000. Small areas like garden paths can cost much more per m² than larger pours because of this.

Does the price per m² include excavation and formwork?

Not always, and this is one of the most common points of confusion in concrete quotes. Many contractors quote only for the concrete supply, placement and finish. Excavation, soil removal, formwork and compaction are often listed separately or excluded entirely. Always check what is and is not included in writing before accepting a quote.

What concrete strength should I specify for a residential driveway?

For a standard residential driveway, 25 MPa or 32 MPa concrete is typical. Higher strength concrete costs a little more but offers better durability, particularly where vehicles are regularly parked or where freeze-thaw conditions apply in cooler climates. Your concreter should recommend the right strength for your application and location.

Do I need a permit for a concrete driveway crossover?

In most local government areas across Australia, yes. A crossover is the section of driveway between your property boundary and the kerb, and it sits on public land. Most councils require a permit and have standards for construction. Some councils contribute to the cost, others do not. Check with your local council before your contractor starts work, as non-compliant crossovers may need to be redone at your expense.

How do I know if a concreter is licenced?

Licensing requirements vary by state. In NSW, check the contractor licence via NSW Fair Trading's online register. In Victoria, look up their registration with the Victorian Building Authority. Queensland uses the QBCC licence register. Most states have a publicly searchable register online. Always verify before signing a contract or paying a deposit.

Is exposed aggregate concrete worth the extra cost?

Exposed aggregate is a popular choice for driveways and outdoor entertaining areas because it is slip-resistant, durable and looks attractive for many years. It typically costs $100–$150 per m² compared with $65–$90 per m² for a plain finish. For high-traffic or high-visibility areas, many homeowners find the additional cost worthwhile. For a back-of-shed slab, plain concrete is usually the better value.

Concrete Cost Per m² in Australia 2026 | Price Guide

Concrete Prices Per m² at a Glance

Supplied and laid concrete in Australia typically costs $65 to $150 per m² depending on the finish, reinforcement, site conditions and your location. A plain broom-finished slab starts around $65-$90 per m², while decorative finishes like exposed aggregate or stamped concrete push into the $100-$150 per m² range. Most jobs also carry a minimum charge of roughly $1,500-$2,000 regardless of size.

These are real-world working ranges based on 2026 market conditions across Australia. They include concrete supply, placement and a standard finish. What they do not include is excavation, formwork, drainage or council crossover work, which add cost on most residential jobs. Always get a written quote for your specific site.

Prices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane tend to sit at the higher end of each range due to labour rates and concrete cartage. Regional areas and smaller capitals like Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin can land anywhere in between, depending on local contractor availability and supply distances.

Price Table by Concrete Type and Finish

Concrete Type / Finish	Typical Range (per m²)	Notes
Plain broom or trowel finish	$65 - $90	Standard slabs, paths, garage floors
Reinforced structural slab (mesh or steel + engineering)	$80 - $110	Required for most driveways, floors, structural pads
Exposed aggregate	$100 - $150	Popular for driveways and entertaining areas
Coloured, stencilled or stamped decorative	$100 - $150	Pattern and colour choices affect the final cost
Polished concrete floor (grind and polish)	$80 - $150	Wider range reflects grit level and number of passes
Concrete demolition and removal	$30 - $75	Rises sharply with reinforcement and disposal fees
Concrete retaining walls	$250 - $550 per lineal metre	Height, engineering and material all affect this significantly

Minimum job costs mean small areas are rarely cheap on a per-metre basis. A 5 m² garden path at $70 per m² is only $350 of concrete work, but most contractors will quote a minimum of $1,500-$2,000 to cover their time, equipment and a truck order. Factor that in before you price up small jobs.

If you have multiple small concrete jobs on the same property, bundle them into a single quote. Combining a path, a small slab and a garden edge into one pour can cut your effective per-metre cost noticeably compared with booking three separate visits.

What Drives the Cost Up (or Down)

The per-m² rate is only part of the story. A flat, easy-access block in a metro suburb is a very different job from a sloped backyard in a regional town with no truck access. Here are the main variables that move the final number.

Site Access and Preparation

Concrete trucks need room to manoeuvre or pump. If a standard agitator truck cannot get close, you will need a concrete pump, which typically adds $600-$1,500 to the job. Tight access in older inner-city suburbs in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide is a common cost driver. On sloped sites, additional excavation and compaction work adds further to the prep bill.

Excavation and Formwork

Most quotes do not include excavation as standard. If your site needs to be dug out and levelled, expect to add $40-$80 per m² or more for that work alone, depending on depth and soil type. Clay soils, rock and tree roots all slow the dig down and push costs up. Formwork materials and setup time also add to the total, particularly for complex shapes or long edges.

Reinforcement

Mesh reinforcement is standard for most driveways and structural slabs. Steel reo bar is used for thicker slabs and engineered applications. Both add cost, but skipping reinforcement to save money is a false economy. A slab that cracks and shifts will cost far more to fix or replace than the few hundred dollars saved upfront.

Thickness

A standard residential slab is typically 100 mm thick. Driveways designed for heavy vehicles often require 125-150 mm. More concrete means a higher volume order, more truck time, and more labour. Each extra 25 mm of thickness across a 40 m² driveway adds roughly a cubic metre of concrete, which at current supply prices is a meaningful addition.

Drainage, Edging and Sealing

Channel drains, surface grading for water runoff and decorative edging all add to the scope. Sealing a driveway or decorative slab after placement typically costs an extra $8-$20 per m² but extends the life of the surface considerably. Many concreters offer sealing as an optional add-on, so ask about it when you get your quote.

Council Crossovers

In most local government areas, replacing or constructing a driveway crossover from the kerb to your property boundary requires a council permit and must meet specific construction standards. Fees and requirements vary by council. Some councils contribute to crossover costs, others do not. Your concreter should flag this early, but it pays to check with your local council yourself before works begin.

Driveway Costs: A Practical Example

A single residential driveway is one of the most common concrete jobs in Australia. To make the numbers tangible, here is how the total typically stacks up.

Driveway Scenario	Approximate Total Cost
Single driveway (~40-50 m²), plain broom finish, good access	$4,000 - $6,000
Single driveway (~40-50 m²), exposed aggregate, good access	$5,500 - $8,000
Single driveway with significant excavation, slope or pump required	$6,500 - $9,000+
Double driveway (~60-80 m²), reinforced, broom finish	$6,000 - $10,000

These totals include a reasonable allowance for prep, formwork, reinforcement and a standard finish. They are not quotes. Two driveways on different streets in the same suburb can differ by thousands of dollars depending on access, slope, soil condition and what is currently under the existing surface.

Be cautious of unusually low quotes, particularly from contractors who ask for a large cash deposit upfront, cannot provide a business name or ABN, or are unwilling to put the scope of works in writing. Unlicensed operators do operate in this space, and disputes over concrete work are difficult and expensive to resolve once the pour is done.

State and City Price Differences

Concrete pricing is not uniform across Australia. Labour rates, concrete supply costs and competitive market conditions all vary by location.

Sydney and NSW

Labour costs in Sydney are among the highest in the country. Tight suburban blocks, truck access issues and high demand tend to push project totals to the upper end of quoted ranges. Regional NSW can be more competitive but may face supply surcharges for remote locations.

Melbourne and Victoria

Melbourne pricing is broadly similar to Sydney for labour, though some trades remain slightly more competitive. Growth corridors in the outer west and north generate high volume, which can mean better availability and pricing. Inner-city access remains a common cost driver.

Brisbane and Queensland

Queensland pricing has risen over the past few years with strong construction demand. Southeast Queensland, particularly the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast corridors, has seen capacity constraints push prices upward. North Queensland can carry a premium for supply and contractor availability.

Perth and Western Australia

Perth has historically had competitive concrete pricing, though labour market tightness in recent years has narrowed that gap. Remote WA projects can carry significant freight and mobilisation costs on top of standard rates.

Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin

These markets tend to have fewer contractors and smaller volumes. Adelaide pricing is generally mid-range. Hobart and Darwin projects can attract premiums for specialised finishes due to lower local competition for those services.

How to Get and Compare Quotes Properly

Getting multiple quotes is straightforward advice, but most people do not compare them properly. A lower number on a quote does not always mean a better deal.

What a Good Quote Should Include

The exact area in m² being concreted
Thickness of the slab
Type of reinforcement (mesh, reo bar or none)
The finish specified (broom, exposed aggregate, etc.)
Whether excavation, formwork and disposal are included or excluded
Concrete strength specified (typically 25 MPa or 32 MPa for residential driveways)
Any sealing, drainage or edging work
Payment terms and deposit amount

Get at Least Three Written Quotes

Three quotes gives you a working picture of the local market. If one quote is significantly lower than the others, ask why. It is worth understanding what has been left out rather than assuming you have found a bargain.

Check Licences

In most states, concrete work above certain values must be carried out by a licensed contractor. Licensing requirements vary by state. In NSW, the contractor needs a relevant contractor licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. In Victoria, a registered domestic builder is required for work above $10,000. Check your state's requirements and verify the licence number before signing anything.

Do Not Make Your Decision on Price Alone

Concrete is a permanent material. A poor mix, inadequate reinforcement or bad curing cannot usually be fixed without full removal and replacement. Ask contractors about their process, their concrete supplier and how they handle curing, particularly in hot or cold weather.

For any concrete job, get at least three written, itemised quotes, verify the contractor's licence, and confirm exactly what is and is not included in the scope. General price ranges are a useful starting point, but the only price that matters for your job is one based on your actual site.

How Much Does Concrete Cost Per m² in Australia? (2026)