How much does concrete work cost in Australia?
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Key takeaways
- Most concrete work jobs in Australia land between A$300–A$14,000 — known locally as concreting.
- Concreting is regulated state-by-state in Australia — QBCC licensing in Queensland, contractor licensing in NSW over $5,000 — and residential slabs follow AS 2870/AS 3600 standards. Exposed aggregate is the dominant decorative driveway finish.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Concrete Work prices by job size in Australia
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack / patch repair Repair cracked or spalled areas | A$300 | A$700 | A$1,500 |
| Slab or patio Reinforced slab for shed, patio or alfresco area | A$2,500 | A$4,500 | A$8,000 |
| Driveway Full-depth driveway with crossover and finish | A$5,000 | A$8,500 | A$14,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per m² (plain, laid) | A$65 | A$90 | A$130 |
| per m² (exposed aggregate) | A$100 | A$130 | A$170 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Australia typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a concrete work pro in Australia
- Check state licensing — concreting is licensed trade work in QLD (QBCC) and requires a contractor licence in NSW above $5,000
- Get slab thickness, mesh (SL72/SL82 typical) and mix strength (20-32 MPa) in writing
- Confirm compacted road base and plastic membrane under the slab
- Agree the finish: plain, coloured, exposed aggregate or covercrete
- Ask about council crossover requirements for driveways
- Compare 3 itemized quotes with local references
Red flags
- Unlicensed above the state threshold
- No mesh or membrane in the spec
- Pour scheduled on a 40-degree day without hot-weather measures
- Large deposit above state caps
- No control joints planned
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to AUD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: hipages concreting cost guide; ServiceSeeking price reports.
Frequently asked questions
What finishes can concrete have?
Broom (non-slip, standard outdoors), steel trowel (smooth, indoor), exposed aggregate, stamped/patterned, coloured and polished. Decorative finishes can add 30-100% to the base rate but replace the cost of a separate surface like pavers or tiles.
Why did my concrete crack, and is it a defect?
Hairline shrinkage cracks are normal; that is what control joints are for — they give cracking a straight place to happen. Wide, uneven or lifting cracks signal a base, reinforcement or curing problem. If a new slab cracks outside its joints within months, call the contractor back.
How much does concrete work cost?
Concrete is priced by area and thickness for slabs (per m² or sq ft), by volume for supply (per cubic metre/yard), and by the job for repairs. The concrete itself is often less than half the bill — formwork, reinforcement, sub-base preparation, finishing and access drive the labour cost.
What should a concreting quote include?
Excavation and sub-base, formwork, reinforcement (mesh size or fibre dose), concrete grade and thickness, the finish (broom, trowel, exposed aggregate, stamped), control joints, curing method, and spoil removal. Any quote that just says 'supply and lay concrete' leaves too much undefined.
How long does concrete take to cure?
You can usually walk on it after 24-48 hours, drive on it after about 7 days, and it reaches design strength at 28 days. Curing (keeping it damp, protecting from frost or extreme heat) in the first week matters more for durability than almost anything else.
Does weather affect concrete pouring?
Strongly. Frost can ruin an uncured pour, extreme heat causes plastic shrinkage cracking, and rain marks fresh surfaces. Good contractors watch forecasts and will delay a pour; be suspicious of anyone happy to pour into bad weather to keep the schedule.
Can damaged concrete be repaired instead of replaced?
Surface spalling, small cracks and pitting can be patched, resurfaced with an overlay, or ground back. Slabs that have sunk can sometimes be lifted with foam or grout injection ('slabjacking') for far less than replacement. Structural failure or widespread base movement means replacement.
What does concreting cost per m² in Australia?
Plain concrete typically runs $65-95 per m² laid, coloured $75-110, and exposed aggregate $100-160. Site access, pumping and excavation add to the base rates.
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