How much does concreting cost in Townsville?
Concreting in Townsville costs $81–$160 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $130–$215/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $2,800–$9,700 range depending on size and finish.
Prices depend on the finish type, slab thickness, site access, soil conditions, and whether old concrete needs removing first. We've compiled this data from concreters across Townsville, plus hipages, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker listings as of June 2026.
Detailed Pricing — Townsville 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete slab (per sqm) | $81/sqm | $120 | $160 |
| Coloured concrete (per sqm) | $105/sqm | $150 | $215 |
| Exposed aggregate (per sqm) | $130/sqm | $175 | $215 |
| Stamped / stencilled (per sqm) | $130/sqm | $165 | $215 |
| Polished concrete (per sqm) | $110/sqm | $185 | $290 |
| Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm) | $54/sqm | $70 | $86 |
| Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm) | $2,800total | $4,325 | $6,500 |
| Driveway — exposed aggregate | $5,200total | $7,000 | $9,700 |
| Concrete path / footpath | $81/sqm | $120 | $175 |
| Concrete patio / entertaining | $86/sqm | $135 | $195 |
| Shed slab (typical 20 sqm) | $1,625total | $2,375 | $3,775 |
| Old concrete removal | $32/sqm | $54 | $86 |
Getting quotes for concreting work in Townsville? Get a quote from a verified local tradie — free, no obligation.
Get Townsville quotes →Prices include GST. Based on Townsville metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What to Know About Concreting Work in Townsville
Townsville concreting prices vary more than most homeowners expect — a straightforward driveway can land anywhere between $4,500 and $15,000 depending on access, finish, and the time of year you book. The biggest single factor isn't usually the concrete itself but everything around it: removing the old slab, levelling the ground, getting the truck close enough to pour, and finishing the surface before it cures.
In Townsville, concreters are busiest from October through March, and prices climb 10–20% during peak periods. Booking in autumn or winter often saves you four-figure amounts on a medium job. Local soil conditions, yard slope, and existing site features also affect costs — yards needing extra fill, rock excavation, or root removal can add $500–$2,000 before a single pour starts.
Most Townsville councils require a permit for driveways that connect to the road, and crossover work has to meet council specs. A good concreter handles the application as part of the quote; a cheap one will leave it to you and risk a failed inspection. We've seen this catch out homeowners more times than it should.
What Affects Concreting Costs in Townsville
Square meterage and finish type
Plain concrete in Townsville averages $80–$150 per m² supplied and laid. Exposed aggregate jumps to $150–$220/m² because of the seeding, washing, and additional finishing labour. Coloured or stamped concrete sits at $200–$280/m². For a 40m² driveway, that's the difference between $5,000 (plain) and $11,000+ (decorative) — same area, very different bill.
Site access and removal of existing slab
If the truck can't park within hose-reach (around 30m), your concreter needs to barrow or pump — that's $300–$800 extra on a medium job. Removing an existing slab adds $40–$80/m², plus tip fees of $150–$400 depending on the volume. Sloped, narrow, or tight-access Townsville blocks are the main reason quotes vary so much for similar-looking jobs.
Concrete grade and reinforcement
Driveways and slabs use 25 MPa or 32 MPa mix. The stronger 32 MPa adds $15–$25/m³ but is non-negotiable for anywhere a vehicle parks. Reinforcement (mesh or rebar) is built into most quotes but worth confirming — its absence is a red flag, not a saving.
Time of year and lead time
Booking 2–4 weeks ahead in winter (June–August) typically gets you 10–15% off versus summer. Townsville concreters have full books from October to March, and emergency or rushed jobs in that window can attract 20%+ premiums. Pre-Christmas demand is the worst — avoid it if you can.
How to Save Money on Concreting in Townsville
The single biggest lever is timing. Booking outside peak season (April–September) and getting at least three quotes from licenced Townsville concreters will typically save 10–25% on the same job. Beyond that:
- Get three quotes, in writing, with the same scope. Verbal estimates over the phone aren't comparable — make each quote specify m², thickness, mix grade, reinforcement, and finish. Side-by-side, the cheapest isn't always the worst.
- Choose plain over decorative where it doesn't matter. A plain concrete driveway with a broom finish costs roughly half what stamped or coloured concrete costs and lasts just as long structurally.
- Combine jobs. Pouring a driveway, path, and slab in one visit cuts the call-out and setup costs across all three. Concreters quote 15–25% less per m² when they can do it all on one day.
- Sort access yourself. Removing fences, trimming overhanging branches, and clearing the work area before the team arrives can save 1–2 hours of labour ($100–$200).
- Be flexible on dates. Tell your concreter you can move the date by a week or two and ask for their best price for a "fill-in" slot. Many will quote 10% lower for jobs that fit between bigger commercial pours.
- Ask about supply-only options. For small slabs (under 10m²), DIY pours with a delivery from a Townsville batching plant can save 40–50% — but only attempt this if you've actually finished concrete before. The labour is the hard part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, leading tradie marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our price guides are produced independently. Pricing is compiled from public quotes, industry rate guides, and marketplace data, and no tradesperson can influence a published figure. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed June 2026. Read our full methodology →