Concrete is still the most popular driveway material in Australia: hard-wearing, low maintenance and suited to every climate. But quotes for the same job vary wildly, and a lot of that comes down to things that have nothing to do with the concrete itself. All figures are 2026 AUD, supplied and installed, and are guide ranges only.
Concrete driveway cost per square metre by finish
The finish is the single biggest lever on price.
- Plain or broom finish: 80 to 150 dollars per m2. The standard brushed grey slab — cheapest and most common.
- Coloured (oxide through-colour): 100 to 170 dollars per m2. A warmer, less industrial look.
- Exposed aggregate: 110 to 200 dollars per m2. Washed back to reveal the stones; durable and great grip on a slope.
- Stencilled or stamped: 120 to 220 dollars per m2. Patterns to mimic pavers or stone, then sealed.
- Polished concrete: 150 to 280 dollars per m2. Ground back and sealed; usually the dearest.
Decorative finishes also need a quality sealer that has to be reapplied every few years — budget for the lifetime cost.
What a typical driveway costs all up
Realistic totals for a plain/broom finish at around 100 to 120 dollars per m2, before tricky site factors:
- Small single (20 to 30 m2): roughly 2,500 to 4,500 dollars.
- Standard single (around 40 m2): roughly 4,000 to 6,500 dollars.
- Double (60 to 80 m2): roughly 6,000 to 12,000 dollars.
- Long or wide (100 m2+): 10,000 dollars and up.
Swap in exposed aggregate or stamped concrete and add 30 to 60 per cent.
What actually drives the cost
Excavation and site preparation
The ground is dug out, levelled, compacted and a road-base sub-layer laid. Rock, tree roots and reactive clay all add cost.
Removing the old driveway
Demolition and disposal is often 1,000 to 4,000 dollars depending on size and thickness; concrete tip fees are not trivial.
Slope and drainage
A sloped driveway needs more formwork and sometimes a drainage grate or channel so water runs away from the house and garage.
Thickness and reinforcement
A standard driveway is around 100mm with steel mesh; heavier vehicles want 125mm+ and heavier steel. Skimping here causes cracking later.
Access for the truck or pump
If the truck can pour off the chute you save money; if not, a concrete pump adds several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
The crossover and council requirements
The crossover (boundary to road) often must be built to council spec, sometimes by an approved contractor, with permit or inspection fees. Confirm whether your quote includes it.
How to get an accurate concrete driveway quote
A plain 40 m2 driveway on a flat, easy-access block is a very different job to the same on a slope with an old slab to remove and a crossover to rebuild. Compare concreting quotes in Sydney or Melbourne, or get an instant itemised concreting quote with a quick camera walkthrough of the driveway area — it accounts for size, finish and the site factors above before a tradie visits.