How Much Does a Concreter Charge in Australia? (2026 Rates by Job Type)
How Much Does a Concreter Charge in Australia? (2026 Rates by Job Type)
A standard driveway in Sydney costs somewhere between $4,500 and $12,000. That is a wide range — and if you are a concreter, your ability to price confidently within that range determines whether you win or lose jobs. Here is what concreters are actually charging across Australia in 2026.
Concreting Rates in Australia: Quick Reference
| Job Type | Price Per m2 (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain/standard concrete | $65 – $90 per m2 | Most common residential work |
| Exposed aggregate | $100 – $150 per m2 | Decorative finish, more preparation |
| Coloured concrete | $90 – $130 per m2 | Oxide or integral colour added |
| Stencilled/stamped concrete | $100 – $160 per m2 | Pattern pressed into surface |
| Polished concrete (outdoor) | $80 – $120 per m2 | Ground and sealed finish |
| Concrete slab (house/garage) | $60 – $85 per m2 | Structural, includes mesh and formwork |
| Footpath / garden path | $65 – $95 per m2 | Narrow widths add cost per m2 |
| Pool surrounds | $95 – $145 per m2 | Wet area, non-slip finish required |
Full Project Pricing: What Australians Pay for Common Jobs
Concrete Driveway
| Size | Plain Concrete | Exposed Aggregate | Coloured Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (30-40 m2) | $2,000 – $3,600 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,700 – $5,200 |
| Standard (50-60 m2) | $3,250 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $9,000 | $4,500 – $7,800 |
| Large (80-100 m2) | $5,200 – $9,000 | $8,000 – $15,000 | $7,200 – $13,000 |
Includes preparation, formwork, pour, and standard finish. Demolition of existing driveway adds $1,500-$4,000 depending on size and material.
Concrete Slab
| Purpose | Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Shed slab | 6m x 6m (36 m2) | $2,200 – $3,060 |
| Garage slab | 6m x 9m (54 m2) | $3,240 – $4,590 |
| Large garage or workshop | 9m x 9m (81 m2) | $4,860 – $6,885 |
| House slab (standard) | 200-250 m2 | $12,000 – $21,250 |
Slab pricing includes mesh reinforcement and formwork. Soil testing, engineering, and fill may add cost on challenging sites.
Garden Paths and Footpaths
| Length and Width | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 10m x 1m (10 m2) | $650 – $950 |
| 20m x 1.2m (24 m2) | $1,560 – $2,280 |
| 30m x 1.5m (45 m2) | $2,925 – $4,275 |
State-by-State Pricing Variations
| State / Territory | Price Variation vs National Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSW (Sydney) | +10% to +20% | High labour costs, strong demand |
| VIC (Melbourne) | +5% to +15% | Strong market, competitive |
| QLD (Brisbane/SEQ) | -5% to +5% | Competitive market, high volume |
| WA (Perth) | +10% to +20% | Strong mining economy, higher wages |
| SA (Adelaide) | -5% to -10% | Lower labour costs, moderate competition |
| TAS (Hobart/regional) | -5% to +10% | Lower volume, access can add cost |
| ACT (Canberra) | +10% to +15% | Government market, strong residential demand |
| NT (Darwin) | +15% to +25% | Remote logistics, tropical climate preparation |
What Drives the Price Up (And What Drives It Down)
Factors that increase your price: Demolition of existing concrete or pavers ($50-$80 per m2 for removal). Poor site access — narrow lanes, steep driveways, tight backyards. Reinforcement requirements for commercial slabs or heavy vehicle use. Decorative finishes — exposed aggregate, stencilling, and colouring. Remote location — transport costs for concrete trucks and crew. Wet areas requiring non-slip coatings and sealing. Rush jobs with short-notice scheduling.
Factors that decrease your price: Simple rectangular layouts with less formwork. Good access where concrete truck can pump directly. Multiple jobs in the same area. Off-peak timing.
How Concreters Should Price Jobs Confidently
This is where most concreters leave money on the table. The tendency when competing against quotes is to undercut. The problem is that when you price this way, you train your customers to value you on price rather than quality.
The concreters who win consistently do not win on being the cheapest. They win because they respond first, communicate the value clearly, and follow up.
When a customer requests quotes from three concreters, the first one to call back and show genuine interest often gets the job — even if they are not the cheapest. Speed signals reliability.
Communicating value sounds like: $8,500 for a 50m2 exposed aggregate driveway that will last 30 years, comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty, and I have been doing this for 12 years in this suburb. That is a different conversation than $8,500 — let me know if you want to go ahead.
The Link Between Confident Pricing and Follow-Up
Here is the thing about following up: it is much easier when you know your pricing is fair. If you have priced a job at market rate — or above it because you know your quality backs it up — following up is not a negotiation. It is a service call. You are checking in because the customer has not said no, and the job is still there to win.
Kabooyaa handles the follow-up automatically via an SMS sequence. You are not thinking about whether to call. The system follows up for you. You just show up when the customer is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concreter charge per square metre in Australia in 2026?
Plain concrete runs $65-$90 per m2. Exposed aggregate is $100-$150 per m2. Coloured concrete is $90-$130 per m2. These are typical market rates for 2026 and vary by state, site conditions, and finish type.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Australia in 2026?
A standard 50-60 m2 driveway in plain concrete costs $3,250-$5,400 installed. Exposed aggregate for the same size runs $5,000-$9,000. Sydney and Perth are typically 10-20% above these figures; Adelaide is typically 5-10% below.
How much does a concrete slab cost in Australia?
A standard garage slab (54 m2) costs $3,240-$4,590. A workshop slab (81 m2) costs $4,860-$6,885. House slabs (200-250 m2) typically run $12,000-$21,250. Pricing includes mesh reinforcement and formwork.
Why are concreting quotes so different?
Quote variation reflects differences in finish quality, site access, preparation work included or excluded, the concreter experience, and whether demolition is included. Very low quotes often exclude preparation costs that will appear as extras, or reflect lower-quality materials and finishes.
How do concreters win jobs without being the cheapest?
The fastest way to win more jobs as a concreter is responding faster than your competitors and following up quotes systematically. Most homeowners choose the concreter who communicated best — not necessarily the cheapest one. Kabooyaa automates the follow-up so every quote gets chased without you thinking about it.
If your pricing is fair and your follow-up is inconsistent, you are losing jobs to less capable concreters who just happened to call back. Fix the follow-up at kabooyaa.com.au.
