Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Canberra?

By The WTD Editorial Team · Last verified October 2026 · Methodology

Updated October 2026 · Independently researched · 8 min read

Most concreting jobs in Canberra cost $2,850–$9,900

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Canberra costs $2,850–$6,600. Exposed aggregate runs $5,300–$9,900. Per-sqm rates start from $82/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $220/sqm for decorative finishes.

+5.4% Concreting costs in Canberra are up around 5.4% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in October 2026. Year on year

A plain concrete slab laid in Canberra costs $82–$165 a square metre, and most quotes land near $120. Pour a 40 square metre driveway and the bill comes to $2,850–$6,600 in plain concrete, or $5,300–$9,900 with an exposed aggregate finish; a shed base of roughly 20 square metres is $1,650–$3,850. Driveways are where Canberra differs most from other places: the stretch from your front boundary out to the road is Territory land, so City Services decides how it is built, and that rule shapes the mix, the depth and the finish your concreter can quote.

Comparing cities, or after the Australia-wide picture? See the national guide: Concreting cost in Australia.

Quick answerConcreting in Canberra costs $82–$165 /sqm, with most averaging $120 /sqm. GST included — verified October 2026. Get free Canberra quotes → WTD's pick for Canberra concreting specialistsDeanVERIFIEDCall for a free quote02 5121 9321Or request a written quote →

Detailed Pricing — Concreting Cost in Canberra 2026

Marking out a car park, warehouse floor or loading bay? See our line marking cost guide for Canberra.

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$82/sqm	$120	$165
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$105/sqm	$155	$220
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$130/sqm	$175	$220
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$130/sqm	$170	$220
Polished concrete — polish existing slab (per sqm)	$66/sqm	$120	$185
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$55/sqm	$72	$88
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$2,850total	$4,950	$6,600
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,300total	$7,150	$9,900
Concrete path / footpath	$82/sqm	$120	$175
Concrete patio / entertaining	$88/sqm	$140	$200
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,650total	$2,425	$3,850
Old concrete removal (stand-alone, incl. disposal)	$33/sqm	$66	$110
Ready-mix concrete, 25 MPa delivered (supply only, per m³)	$330per cubic metre	$420	$530
Polished concrete — new slab poured + mechanical polish (per sqm)	$175/sqm	$230	$285

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Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology

Prices include GST. Based on Canberra metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.

What to Know About Concreting Work and Cost in Canberra

In the ACT a new, changed or second driveway needs approval, and the verge part is Territory land. Assessment is $141.70 and inspection $283.60, from 1 July 2026.

MIS 07 asks for 32 MPa concrete on a 125 mm base with SL82 mesh. Plain, coloured or stamped concrete are all acceptable — though a footpath crossing the driveway stays plain concrete. In our table coloured concrete is $105–$220 a square metre and stamped $130–$220.

Concrete driveway cost in Canberra (2026): plain, exposed aggregate and slabs per m²

Concrete in Canberra costs $82–$165 per square metre laid for a plain slab, with $120/m² typical, rising to $105–$220/m² for coloured concrete and $130–$220/m² for exposed aggregate. As whole jobs: a plain driveway of around 40 m² is $2,850–$6,600, the same driveway in exposed aggregate $5,300–$9,900, and a 20 m² shed slab $1,650–$3,850. Per-metre prices include formwork, reinforcing mesh, the pour and the finish; excavation and removing old concrete ($33–$110/m²) are on top.

Job	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per m²)	$82/m²	$120	$165
Coloured concrete (per m²)	$105/m²	$155	$220
Exposed aggregate (per m²)	$130/m²	$175	$220
Driveway — plain (typical 40 m²)	$2,850	$4,950	$6,600
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,300	$7,150	$9,900
Concrete path / footpath (per m²)	$82/m²	$120	$175
Shed slab (typical 20 m²)	$1,650	$2,425	$3,850
Old concrete removal (per m²)	$33/m²	$66	$110

Concrete driveways in Canberra: a plain driveway of around 40 m² is $2,850–$6,600 and the same in exposed aggregate $5,300–$9,900 ($130–$220/m²). Replacing an old driveway adds removal at $33–$110/m². A concrete slab for a shed or carport of around 20 m² is $1,650–$3,850. Canberra pours are timed around the weather: concrete laid on a frosty morning has to be protected while it cures, which a good concreter plans into the job.

What moves a concreting quote in Canberra:

Area: small pours cost more per square metre because the truck, pump and crew are the same for 10 m² as for 40.
Thickness and reinforcing: a driveway that carries vehicles is thicker and more heavily reinforced than a path.
Ground: soft or reactive soil needs more excavation, a thicker base and sometimes piers.
Finish: broom or trowel is the base; exposed aggregate, colour, stencil and polish each add material and labour.
Access: a site the truck cannot reach needs a pump or barrows, both priced on top.

For a concrete quote in Canberra that compares, give the square metres, what it carries, the finish and whether anything has to be dug out or removed first.

What Affects Concreting Costs in Canberra

The verge needs City Services approval

In the ACT you need approval to add a new driveway, change an existing one or put in a second. The section running from your boundary to the road sits on public land owned by the Territory, yet its design, construction and upkeep fall to the leaseholder. Everything has to meet the MIS 07 Driveways standard, so ask each concreter whether they lodge the application or leave it with you.

Grade, depth and steel on the crossing

The driveway standard calls for grade 32 concrete (32 MPa) throughout, and its table for an ordinary home driveway shows a 125 mm base with SL82 steel mesh placed centrally. The supply-only ready-mix in our table is the softer 25 MPa grade, at $330–$530 a cubic metre, so it will not do for a verge pour. Make sure every quote names the grade, thickness and mesh.

Finishes the verge will accept

Per square metre, coloured concrete is $105–$220, stamped or stencilled $130–$220 and exposed aggregate $130–$220. On a typical 40 square metre driveway, choosing exposed aggregate over plain adds about $2,200. For the verge section, City Services lists plain, coloured or stamped concrete, bitumen and pavers as acceptable, and a footpath crossing the driveway stays plain, unpainted concrete whatever you choose.

Frost, heat and the spring rain

Canberra Airport averages -0.1 °C on July nights and 11.4 °C on July days (BOM averages). Fresh concrete gains strength slowly in that cold and an unprotected surface can be marked by frost. November and October are the two wettest months, and January days average 28.0 °C, which dries a slab fast. March and April, at 24.5 °C and 20.0 °C, give a milder, steadier pouring window.

Townhouse courtyards and tight access

Townhouses and other semi-detached homes make up 17.2% of ACT dwellings, well above the 12.6% national share (ABS 2021 Census). Their concreting is often a small courtyard or rear path reached only through a garage or side gate, so concrete has to be barrowed or pumped in. A path costs $82–$175 a square metre and an entertaining area $88–$200, and awkward access pushes a quote toward the top of either band.

Break out, resurface or polish

Breaking out an old slab, disposal included, costs $33–$110 a square metre. Worn concrete that is still stable can instead take a sprayed resurfacing layer for $55–$88, cheaper by the metre than a new plain slab. Indoors, polishing an existing floor runs $66–$185, while a fresh slab with a mechanical polish costs $175–$285.

How to Save Money on Concreting Cost in Canberra

Ask each concreter who lodges the City Services driveway application, and leave room in the budget for the assessment and inspection fees that come with it.
If you choose a formwork inspection for the verge, the clearance has to be issued before the pour, so don't book the concrete truck for the day after the boxing goes in.
Mark out the driveway at least 1.5 m clear of streetlight poles, transformers and mini pillars before you ask for prices.
Booking a pour between June and August? Ask how the crew will protect the slab from frost and how many days it needs before a car drives on it.
ACT water rules let you clean paved areas at any time with a bucket and mop or a high-pressure low-volume cleaner, which suits routine care of a coloured or exposed aggregate driveway.
Pricing the backyard too? Have the patio, paths and shed slab quoted with the driveway, since one pour day shares the setup, pump and crew across every area.

Frequently Asked Questions — Concreting Cost in Canberra

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Canberra?

A concrete driveway in Canberra costs $2,850–$6,600 for a plain 40 m² driveway ($4,950 typical) and $5,300–$9,900 in exposed aggregate. Removing an old driveway first is extra.

How much does a concrete slab cost in Canberra?

A concrete slab in Canberra is $82–$165 per square metre laid; a typical 20 m² shed slab is $1,650–$3,850. Thickness, reinforcing and ground conditions set where a job lands.

How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost in Canberra?

Exposed aggregate in Canberra costs $130–$220 per square metre, $175 typical, against $82–$165/m² for plain concrete. A 40 m² exposed aggregate driveway is $5,300–$9,900.

How much should I pay for a concrete patio or entertaining area in Canberra?

Our Canberra prices for a concrete patio or entertaining area start at $88 and reach $200 a square metre, with $140 typical.

Do I need approval for a new driveway in Canberra?

Yes — but from the ACT Government, not a council: you need a driveway approval from City Services to construct a new driveway or change the location, dimensions, layout or material of an existing one. Permit fees vary, so confirm the current fee before you book. Reputable Canberra concreters handle the paperwork as part of the quote; ask explicitly before signing.

What's the cheapest type of concrete for a driveway?

Plain concrete with a broom or trowel finish is the cheapest at $82–$165/m² in Canberra. It's structurally identical to decorative finishes but lacks the visual aggregate or colour. Most homeowners only spend the extra on driveways visible from the street.

What is the price of plain concrete in Canberra?

Going by our Canberra table, expect $82–$165 a square metre for plain concrete; the typical price is $120.

What does a concrete path cost in Canberra?

In our Canberra table, a concrete path runs $82–$175 a square metre, and $120 is typical.

What's a fair price for a 40m² plain concrete driveway in Canberra?

Expect $2,850–$6,600 for a plain 40 m² driveway ($4,950 typical), plus $1,320–$3,520 if an existing slab has to come out first. Quotes outside that range warrant a closer look — far below suggests cut corners (thin pour, no rebar, no permit), and far above usually means premium finishes or difficult access.

Our Methodology

These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Canberra?A concrete driveway in Canberra costs $2,850–$6,600 for a plain 40 m² driveway ($4,950 typical) and $5,300–$9,900 in exposed aggregate. Removing an old driveway first is extra.

How much does a concrete slab cost in Canberra?A concrete slab in Canberra is $82–$165 per square metre laid; a typical 20 m² shed slab is $1,650–$3,850. Thickness, reinforcing and ground conditions set where a job lands.

How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost in Canberra?Exposed aggregate in Canberra costs $130–$220 per square metre, $175 typical, against $82–$165/m² for plain concrete. A 40 m² exposed aggregate driveway is $5,300–$9,900.

How much should I pay for a concrete patio or entertaining area in Canberra?Our Canberra prices for a concrete patio or entertaining area start at $88 and reach $200 a square metre, with $140 typical.

Do I need approval for a new driveway in Canberra?Yes — but from the ACT Government, not a council: you need a driveway approval from City Services to construct a new driveway or change the location, dimensions, layout or material of an existing one. Permit fees vary, so confirm the current fee before you book. Reputable Canberra concreters handle the paperwork as part of the quote; ask explicitly before signing.

What's the cheapest type of concrete for a driveway?Plain concrete with a broom or trowel finish is the cheapest at $82–$165/m² in Canberra. It's structurally identical to decorative finishes but lacks the visual aggregate or colour. Most homeowners only spend the extra on driveways visible from the street.

What is the price of plain concrete in Canberra?Going by our Canberra table, expect $82–$165 a square metre for plain concrete; the typical price is $120.

What does a concrete path cost in Canberra?In our Canberra table, a concrete path runs $82–$175 a square metre, and $120 is typical.

What's a fair price for a 40m² plain concrete driveway in Canberra?Expect $2,850–$6,600 for a plain 40 m² driveway ($4,950 typical), plus $1,320–$3,520 if an existing slab has to come out first. Quotes outside that range warrant a closer look — far below suggests cut corners (thin pour, no rebar, no permit), and far above usually means premium finishes or difficult access.

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