Decking Cost Australia 2026
Decking costs depend on the timber type, deck size, height, and whether steps or balustrades are needed.
| City | Typical range | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $5,750–$18,400 | ↑ +3.6% |
| Melbourne | $5,250–$16,800 | ↑ +3.4% |
| Brisbane | $5,000–$16,000 | ↑ +3.7% |
| Perth | $5,250–$16,800 | ↑ +3.0% |
| Adelaide | $4,600–$14,700 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Gold Coast | $4,900–$15,700 | ↑ +3.7% |
| Canberra | $5,500–$17,600 | ↑ +3.5% |
| Hobart | $4,500–$14,400 | ↑ +3.5% |
| Darwin | $5,000–$16,000 | ↑ +3.5% |
| Newcastle | $4,750–$15,200 | ↑ +3.6% |
| Geelong | $4,650–$14,900 | ↑ +3.4% |
| Sunshine Coast | $4,850–$15,500 | ↑ +3.7% |
| Townsville | $5,400–$17,300 | ↑ +3.7% |
| Wollongong | $5,400–$17,300 | ↑ +3.6% |
| Byron Bay | $5,250–$16,800 | ↑ +3.6% |
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National Pricing Overview
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine deck (per sqm) | $180/sqm | $260 | $350 |
| Hardwood deck — merbau (per sqm) | $300/sqm | $420 | $550 |
| Hardwood deck — spotted gum (per sqm) | $350/sqm | $480 | $600 |
| Composite deck (per sqm) | $280/sqm | $550 | $700 |
| Small deck (15 sqm, hardwood) | $5,000total | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Medium deck (25 sqm, hardwood) | $8,000total | $12,000 | $16,000 |
| Large deck (40 sqm, hardwood) | $13,000total | $19,000 | $26,000 |
| Deck steps (per step) | $180/step | $300 | $400 |
| Deck balustrade / railing (per lm) | $150/lm | $280 | $450 |
| Deck sanding + oiling (per sqm) | $25/sqm | $40 | $60 |
| Old deck demolition + removal | $20/sqm | $35 | $55 |
| Pergola over deck (basic timber or aluminium, about 4 x 4 m to 4 x 6 m) | $5,000total | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Deck stairs (per flight, installed) | $1,000installed | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Elevated / high-set deck surcharge (per sqm) | $50/sqm | $100 | $180 |
| Deck re-oil only (clean + 2 coats, no sanding, per sqm) | $15/sqm | $30 | $45 |
| Hardwood deck — blackbutt (per sqm) | $330/sqm | $450 | $620 |
| Composite deck — premium capped / solid-core, Trex class (per sqm) | $450/sqm | $570 | $900 |
How decking prices compare across 15 cities and how they move month to month: Tradie Price Index, October 2026 →
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Decking in Australia costs $180–$350/sqm for treated pine, $300–$550/sqm for merbau hardwood, and $280–$700/sqm for composite decking (all supply and installation). A medium 25 sqm deck costs $8,000–$16,000 depending on the material and complexity.
Decking Costs by Material
The timber or composite you choose has the biggest impact on decking cost. Here's how the main options compare for a standard residential deck:
| Material | Supply + Install per m² | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | $180–$350 | 15–20 years | Stain/oil every 1–2 years |
| Merbau (hardwood) | $300–$550 | 25–40 years | Oil every 1–2 years |
| Spotted gum (hardwood) | $350–$600 | 30–50 years | Oil every 1–2 years |
| Blackbutt (hardwood) | $330–$620 | 25–40 years | Oil every 1–2 years |
| Composite (mid-range) | $280–$700 | 25–30 years | Virtually none — hose off |
| Composite (premium — Trex, Modwood) | $450–$900 | 25–50 years | None |
| Aluminium decking | $600–$1,000 | 50+ years | None |
Merbau is the most popular hardwood decking timber in Australia due to its rich colour, durability, and resistance to rot. However, it requires annual oiling to prevent greying. Composite decking (like Trex or Modwood) costs more upfront but eliminates all ongoing maintenance — over 15 years, the total cost of ownership is often lower than hardwood when you factor in oil, labour, and sanding.
Typical Deck Sizes and What They Cost
Deck pricing depends heavily on size, height, and complexity. Here's what common deck configurations cost:
| Deck Type | Size | Treated Pine | Merbau | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small entertainer | 10–15m² | $1,800–$5,250 | $3,000–$8,250 | $2,800–$10,500 |
| Standard backyard | 20–30m² | $3,600–$10,500 | $6,000–$16,500 | $5,600–$21,000 |
| Large entertainer | 40–60m² | $7,200–$21,000 | $12,000–$33,000 | $11,200–$42,000 |
| Elevated deck (1m+ off ground) | 20m² | $4,600–$10,600 | $7,000–$14,600 | $6,600–$17,600 |
| Pool deck | 30–50m² | $5,400–$17,500 | $9,000–$27,500 | $8,400–$35,000 |
These prices include subframe (bearers and joists), decking boards and fasteners, priced as the area times our per-square-metre rows; a balustrade is $150–$450 a lineal metre on top. Steps add $180–$400 per step. Built-in seating and planter boxes are quoted separately, and a pergola over the deck is $5,000–$15,000. Elevated decks (over 1m high) add $50–$180 a square metre for the structural engineering and deeper footings, as in the elevated row above.
What Affects Decking Costs in Australia
Timber type
Treated pine ($180–$350/sqm in Australia) is cheapest but needs regular oiling. Merbau ($300–$550/sqm) and spotted gum are premium hardwoods. Composite ($280–$700/sqm) is low-maintenance.
Deck size
A small 15 sqm deck in Australia costs $5,000–$10,000. Medium 25 sqm is $8,000–$16,000. Large 40 sqm decks run $13,000–$26,000. Larger decks get slightly better per-sqm rates.
Height & subframe
Ground-level decks in Australia are simplest. Elevated decks (over 1m) need substantial substructure, posts, and often engineering — increasing costs significantly.
Steps & balustrades
Steps cost $180–$400 per step in Australia. Balustrades/railings add $150–$450/lm. These are required by code for any deck over 1m above ground.
Site access & slope
A flat, accessible Australian backyard is cheapest. Sloping sites, difficult access, or existing structures to build around all increase labour time and cost.
Maintenance requirements
Hardwood decks need oiling 1–2 times per year (professional sanding and oiling $25–$60/sqm in Australia; doing it yourself costs the oil and a weekend). Composite decking needs almost no maintenance — a hose-down is usually sufficient.