How much does a concrete driveway cost in Australia? It’s the age-old question that thousands of homeowners across the country search for each month.

If you’ve been scouring the web for a definitive answer to your question, then you will be hard-pressed to find it online. In most cases, the estimates that you see come from third-party providers that do not have access to real-life data. As a result, these figures can be off the mark and do not consider the real-life factors that influence price beyond material type and location.

At Conker, we work with homeowners in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne to provide high-quality concrete driveways that will stand the test of time. As such, we’re in a good position to provide prices for different materials and arm you with the information that you need to budget for your concrete driveway project – whatever your desired finish may be.

Table of contents

• How much does a concrete driveway cost per square meter in Australia?
• How much does the cost of a driveway differ by material used?
• How much can I expect to pay for my entire driveway?
• What are the factors that impact the cost of a concrete driveway?
• Is it cheaper to resurface or rebuild?

How much does a concrete driveway cost per square meter in Australia?

The cost of a concrete driveway cost per square meter in Australia will vary based on the type of concrete used, the size of the driveway, the accessibility of the driveway, and the skill of the concrete contractor. As a rule of thumb however, the cost a concrete driveway in Australia ranges from $110 SQM for plain concrete up to $250 SQM for honed concrete.

Using those figures, here is a breakdown of the average cost of a driveway in Australia for different size:

15 SQM: $1650 – $3750

20 SQM: $2200 – $5000

25 SQM: $2750 – $6250

30 SQM: $3300 – $7500

35 SQM: $3850 – $8750

40 SQM: $4400 – $10000

45 SQM: $4950 – $11250

50 SQM: $5500 – $12500

How much does the cost of a driveway differ by material used?

When it comes to calculating the cost a concrete driveway in Australia, not all things are equal. One of the biggest discrepancies that homeowners will receive when looking at quotes will be the vastly different prices that are offered depending on the type of concrete that is used for the driveway. To that end, it is easy to look at two quotes and wonder why one provider can charge so much less than another, however, it’s essential to consider the type and quality of concrete that is used to assess the long-term value of your investment. 

Plain concrete ($110 – $130 SQM)

Plain concrete driveways are the cheapest material per square meter coming in at approximately $110 – $130 SQM for plain concrete depending on the nature of the project. Plain concrete is a cost-effective, proven driveway material that (with the right care) can last for 20-30 years. Plain concrete driveways offer a low-cost durable solution that is easy to maintain and can be stamped or textured to create a variety of different looks (this will, of course, attract a higher price tag per square meter). On the flip side, plain concrete can be perceived as boring and, in general, is less resistant to staining than other types of concrete driveways.

Coloured concrete $120 – $180 SQM

Coloured concrete is a popular choice for homeowners that are looking to add some colour or even customise their driveway to match their home’s façade. Coloured concrete driveways will cost in the range of $120 – $180 SQM and provide a stain resistant, long-lasting surface that can complement the look of your property. It’s important to note that with coloured concrete driveways, there is more room for error, so it’s important to find a concrete professional that can do a good job of colouring and matching the concrete to create your desired finish.

Exposed aggregate $120 – $180 SQM

Exposed aggregate driveways provide a unique and attractive appearance that is more resistant to staining than plain concrete. Costing $120 – $180 SQM, exposed aggregate concrete driveways are an ideal, cost-effective solution for homeowners that are looking for a durable finish with significant curb appeal.

Off-white exposed aggregate $150 – $200 SQM

Off-white exposed aggregate driveways offer a more subtle and elegant look than a traditional exposed aggregate driveway. Costing between $150 – $200 SQM, off-white exposed aggregate driveways are more resistant to staining than plain concrete and is more slip resistance and requires less maintenance.

Honed concrete $200 – $250 SQM

Honed concrete driveways are the most expensive concrete driveway material per SQM. Coming in at $200 – $250 SQM, honed concrete driveways offer a smooth and polished finish that is resistant to staining and provides a sophisticated finish against a contemporary home design. 

Summary of the different driveway materials and prices in Australia

Material	Price Per Square Meter	Pros	Cons
Plain concrete	$110 – $130 SQM	Low cost, durable, easy to maintain	Dull, not as resistant to staining
Coloured concrete	$120 – $180 SQM	Stain resistant, premium appearance	Price, requires a skilled contractor to achieve good results
Exposed aggregate concrete	$120 – $180 SQM	Unique and attractive appearance, more resistant to staining	Price, requires a skilled contractor to achieve good results
Off-white exposed aggregate concrete	$150 – $200 SQM	Subtle, elegant finish, resistant to staining	Price, requires a skilled contractor to achieve good results
Honed concrete	$200 – $250 SQM	Smooth, polished finish, resistant to staining	Price, can be slippery when wet

How much can I expect to pay for my entire driveway?

When it comes to calculating the cost of a driveway in Australia, there are two key factors that will influence the price:

1. The material that you choose
2. The size of your driveway

For a small, plain concrete driveway you can expect to pay somewhere in the realm of $1,650 – $3,000. On the other end of the scale, if you have large driveway (50 SQM +) and you choose a more expensive concrete material such as exposed aggregate or honed concrete, then the price can be in excess of $10,000.

To get an accurate idea of pricing, the best starting point is to have your driveway inspected by a concreting professional who will be able to assess the area and your desired finish to provide an accurate quote that considers all factors including your location and the accessibility of the driveway.

What are the factors that impact the cost of a concrete driveway?

Just like anything in the renovation and construction space, there are a myriad of different factors that will impact the final cost of a driveway in Australia. Some of those factors include:

• The type of concrete that you choose
• The location of your driveway (accessibility, slope)
• The complexity of the driveway (straight, curved)
• The cost of the materials used
• The cost of removing or demolishing your existing driveway
• The drainage requirements
• The permits that are needed to carry out work
• The quality of workmanship

Just like anything in the building and renovation industry, what you put in is what you get out. Cutting corners with material and workmanship quality may seem like an appealing way to keep your expenses in check, however, the end result will likely be less than perfect and will not last as long.

Is it cheaper to resurface or rebuild?

In almost all cases, resurfacing a driveway is less expensive than building a new one. Resurfacing takes less time and materials than rebuilding a driveway. Additionally, when you resurface instead of rebuilding, you do not have to consider the costs associated with disposing of concrete. In most cases, choosing to resurface your driveway ends up being around 50% cheaper, however, this will depend on the condition of the existing surface and suitability for carrying out resurfacing instead of rebuilding.

Final thoughts

So there you have it, a breakdown of the average costs of a driveway in Australia by size and material. As we mentioned, it’s important to get a quote that considers your unique circumstances such as location (prices vary in different states), the complexity of your driveway, and the current condition of your driveway. For residents in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, Conker’s team of concreting specialists can assess and provide a quote based on your home and your desired type of concrete driveway finish.