Composite Decking Cost in Australia (2026)
Composite decking is priced per square metre, installed, boards and subframe together. What’s The Damage’s November 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources puts standard composite at $280–$700 per square metre nationally, $480 typical, and premium capped or solid-core boards (the Trex class) at $450–$900 per square metre, $570 typical. The deck size, how high it sits off the ground and whether an old deck comes out first move the total, and each of those is a separate national row below.
Composite decking cost per square metre
Both rows are national installed prices per square metre, GST included, for the boards and a timber subframe on a low-set site. Standard composite covers the uncapped and lightly capped boards; the premium row is the fully capped and solid-core boards sold under the big brand names.
| Composite grade | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck, standard (per sqm) | $280 | $480 | $700 |
| Composite deck, premium capped / solid-core, Trex class (per sqm) | $450 | $570 | $900 |
National prices, November 2026. City prices differ: tap your city below for the local decking guide.
Composite vs timber decking per square metre
Composite sits above treated pine and across the hardwoods per square metre. The trade-off is upkeep: a timber deck needs sanding and oiling ($25–$60 per sqm) every few years and composite does not. Our timber vs composite decking cost guide runs the comparison over 20 years.
| Decking | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine deck (per sqm) | $180 | $260 | $350 |
| Hardwood deck — merbau (per sqm) | $300 | $420 | $550 |
| Hardwood deck — blackbutt (per sqm) | $330 | $450 | $620 |
| Hardwood deck — spotted gum (per sqm) | $350 | $480 | $600 |
| Composite deck, standard (per sqm) | $280 | $480 | $700 |
| Composite deck, premium (per sqm) | $450 | $570 | $900 |
Steps, balustrade, stairs and removing the old deck
These lines are the same whether the boards are composite or timber. The elevated surcharge applies per square metre when the deck is high-set and needs taller posts, bracing and a balustrade by default.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck steps (per step) | $180 | $300 | $400 |
| Deck balustrade / railing (per lineal metre) | $150 | $280 | $450 |
| Deck stairs (per flight, installed) | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Elevated / high-set deck surcharge (per sqm) | $50 | $100 | $180 |
| Old deck demolition and removal (per sqm) | $20 | $35 | $55 |
What a 20 sqm and a 40 sqm composite deck cost, worked through
Each line is the deck size times the national per-square-metre row above; the totals are plain sums of those lines. A 20 sqm deck is a generous landing off a back door; 40 sqm is an entertaining deck.
| Deck | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 sqm standard composite | $5,600 | $9,600 | $14,000 |
| 40 sqm standard composite | $11,200 | $19,200 | $28,000 |
| 40 sqm premium capped composite | $18,000 | $22,800 | $36,000 |
| 40 sqm standard composite, old deck taken down first | $12,000 | $20,600 | $30,200 |
| 40 sqm standard composite, high-set, with 8 lm of balustrade | $14,400 | $25,440 | $38,800 |
Boards cut around posts, a picture-frame border or a two-tone pattern add labour inside the per-square-metre range rather than as a new line. Concealed fixing systems vary by brand, so get them quoted.
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Decking cost in your city
Verified November 2026 ranges — tap your city for the full local guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does composite decking cost per square metre?
Nationally, standard composite decking is $280–$700 per square metre installed ($480 typical) and premium capped or solid-core boards are $450–$900 per square metre ($570 typical), GST included.
How much does a 40 sqm composite deck cost?
At the national standard-composite row, 40 sqm is $11,200–$28,000, $19,200 typical. In premium capped boards it is $18,000–$36,000.
Is composite decking more expensive than timber?
Per square metre, yes against treated pine ($180–$350) and in line with the hardwoods: merbau is $300–$550, spotted gum $350–$600 and standard composite $280–$700. Timber then needs sanding and oiling at $25–$60 per sqm every few years; composite does not.
What does it cost to remove an old deck before a composite one goes in?
Old deck demolition and removal is $20–$55 per square metre nationally, $35 typical, so $800–$2,200 for a 40 sqm deck.
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