Concreting/Australia

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Concreting Prices Australia

Prices include GST. Rates vary based on access, site prep, and finish type.

8 service types5 cities with data

Concreting Prices by Service — Australia

Prices include GST. Rates vary based on access, site prep, and finish type.

ServiceFromAverageUp to
🟫Plain Concrete Slab

Standard grey concrete slab with broom finish

$65per sqm$75per sqm$85per sqm
🪨Exposed Aggregate

Decorative exposed stone finish

$80per sqm$110per sqm$150per sqm
🎨Coloured Concrete

Oxide-coloured or integral colour concrete

$70per sqm$85per sqm$100per sqm
🏛️Stamped / Stencilled Concrete

Patterned decorative concrete finish

$100per sqm$120per sqm$150per sqm
🚗Concrete Driveway

Standard driveway — plain to exposed finish

$65per sqm$90per sqm$120per sqm
🚶Path / Walkway

Concrete footpath or garden walkway

$60per sqm$75per sqm$100per sqm
🧱Concrete Retaining Wall

Reinforced concrete retaining wall

$250per lineal metre$450per lineal metre$700per lineal metre
🔨Concrete Removal

Break up and remove existing concrete

$30per sqm$50per sqm$80per sqm

What Drives Concreting Prices in Australia?

Australian concreting quotes usually bundle GST, standard labour, and a straightforward pour, but access, excavation, and decorative finishes still create wide gaps between headline rates and real contract totals.

Driveways and crossovers are the most price-sensitive jobs because base preparation, drainage falls, and council interface requirements vary sharply from suburb to suburb.

Customers get cleaner comparisons when slab thickness, reinforcement, sealing, and spoil removal are listed as separate line items instead of buried in a one-line allowance.

Base prep and excavation

Soft ground, rock, tree roots, existing paving, and tight side access can add materially to the final concrete rate.

Finish and sealing

Plain grey concrete is the entry point. Exposed aggregate, colour, saw cuts, and sealing all increase labour and material cost.

Council interfaces

Driveway crossovers, stormwater changes, and nature-strip reinstatement can create costs outside the basic pour allowance.

What Is Usually Included

Concrete supply, placement, screeding, and standard finish listed in the written scope
Basic formwork and reinforcement allowance for a straightforward residential job
Normal labour, cleanup, and washdown associated with the pour
Standard curing advice after placement

Common Extras To Watch

Demolition, saw-cutting, or disposal of old concrete
Rock excavation, imported base, compaction testing, or pump hire
Decorative sealing, saw-cut patterns, or premium edging details
Permits, engineering, drainage changes, or council crossover compliance

What To Expect When You Request Quotes

Step 1

Measure the pour area and confirm depth, reinforcement, and finish before comparing prices.

Step 2

Ask whether excavation, spoil removal, drainage, sealing, and cleanup are included or excluded.

Step 3

Check access conditions early because pumps, wheelbarrow runs, and tight sites change labour allowances fast.

Step 4

Compare at least three written quotes and reject any quote that does not state curing time and warranty expectations.

Concreting in Australia ranges from $30 per m² for basic services like plain slabs to $700 for major projects like retaining walls. Prices include GST. Rates vary based on access, site prep, and finish type.

The most common finishes are plain (broom-finished) concrete, exposed aggregate with decorative stones, coloured concrete using oxide pigments, and stamped or stencilled concrete that mimics stone, slate, or tile patterns. Each finish has different cost, durability, and aesthetic characteristics.

Well-laid concrete typically lasts 25–50 years or more. Longevity depends on the quality of the mix, proper sub-base preparation, adequate curing, and regular sealing (every 2–5 years for decorative finishes). Driveways and high-traffic areas may need resealing more frequently.

Most standard residential concreting (slabs, driveways, paths) does not require a permit. However, you may need approval for: driveways that cross public land, retaining walls above a certain height (varies by region), work affecting drainage, and any structural concrete like house slabs. Always check with your local council or authority before starting work.

How We Get These Prices

This methodology combines country-level concreting price benchmarks with city-level quote data already mapped inside WhatCosts. We update the page when market ranges move enough to change the practical buying decision.

We aggregate live provider pricing, national rate cards, and city-level market ranges already stored in the WhatCosts dataset.
We normalise quotes into comparable service categories such as slabs, driveways, decorative finishes, retaining walls, and removal.
We publish ranges instead of a single number because excavation, reinforcement, access, and council requirements vary too much for a universal fixed rate.

Sample size on this template: 8 national service categories and 19 city-level price entries across 5 cities.