How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? [2024]

The cost of a concrete driveway depends on the size, whether it's on a slope and the type of concrete finish you want, among other things. For a quick cost estimation, please visit our concrete cost calculator.

Whatever style you’re after, our guide to concrete driveway costs will give you an idea of how to budget your project.

• How much does a concrete driveway cost per square metre in Australia?
• How does the cost of a concrete driveway differ by state?
• What factors affect the cost of installing a concrete driveway?
• What are the different concrete driveway costs by type?
• How much does coloured concrete cost?
• How much does an exposed aggregate driveway cost?
• How much does stencilled concrete cost?
• How much does stamping a concrete driveway cost?
• Is a concrete driveway worth it?
• How can I reduce the costs associated with a concrete driveway?
• What is the cost of maintenance for a concrete driveway?
• How do I choose the right concrete professional to get the best driveway?

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

The cost of concrete is usually quoted per square metre (m2). You need to account for the cost of concrete and hiring a concreter to prepare and lay the driveway.

• The average concrete cost can be anywhere from $65 per m2 for a plain concrete driveway to $150 per m2 or more for a decorative finish such as stencilled or stamped concrete
• If your driveway is on sloping land, expect to pay around $10 more per square metre than on a flat surface
• Concreters charge $30 to $45 per m2 on average, depending on where you live

To estimate your total concrete driveway cost, you first need to calculate the size of the driveway. Many local councils in Australia specify a minimum width of 3 metres.

If the driveway is 3 metres wide and 6 metres long, the total area will be 18 square metres. The cost to concrete an 18m2 driveway will start from around $2,600 for a flat surface or $2,800 for a sloping surface. Add another $250 or more if the slope is steeper.

Sometimes, you might see prices for concrete cost per cubic metre (m3). Make sure you know what metric you're looking at when budgeting for your driveway cost.

How does the cost of a concrete driveway differ by state?*

Concreters can charge different labour rates, depending on where you live in Australia. Concreters in Melbourne charge around $35 per m2, while concreters in Sydney are more expensive at $40 per m2, depending on the service. Expect to pay around:

• Australian Capital Territory: $30 per m
• Queensland: $35 per m2
• South Australia: $35 per m2
• Victoria: $35 per m2
• New South Wales: $40 per m2
• Western Australia: $45 per m2

If you need more services such as excavation or concrete removal, these will increase the labour rate.

What factors affect the cost of installing a concrete driveway?*

Besides size and location, other factors will affect how much a concrete driveway costs. These include:

• Contour of the land: If the driveway is sloping, the cost is about $10 more per square metre.
• Ease of access: Concreters may charge more if your site is difficult to access or far from where they are located.
• Preparation: Concrete driveways need a solid base to withstand the weather, which may first require excavation. If you have an existing driveway, this will need to be removed or demolished first.
• Type of concrete: Decorative options such as coloured concrete, exposed aggregate and stencilled or stamped concrete cost more than a plain concrete driveway.
• Costs may also be dependent on weather conditions and whether you need additional services such as traffic control for houses on a busy street.

What are the different concrete driveway costs by type?*

If you want something more attractive than plain grey concrete, you can ask your concreter about decorative concrete options. These cost more than plain concrete.

Average prices per square metre are approximately:

• Plain concrete driveway from $65 to $85 per m2
• Coloured concrete driveway from $75 to $95 per m2
• Exposed aggregate driveway from $100 to $150 per m2
• Stencilled concrete driveway from $100 to $150 per m2
• Stamped concrete driveway from $100 to $150 per m2

As with plain concrete, decorative concrete will cost around $10 more per square metre on sloping land.

How much does coloured concrete cost?*

Coloured concrete has colour added through the depth of the concrete while mixing. This could be an option if you're pouring a new concrete driveway or resurfacing an old driveway.

A coloured concrete driveway only costs about $10 per square metre more than plain concrete. Because the colour is added to the concrete mix, it will last longer than concrete paint or spray-on concrete.

How much does an exposed aggregate driveway cost?*

One of the most popular driveway surface options since the 1960s, exposed aggregate (also called pebblecrete) comes in a variety of colours and produces a surface that gives a car good traction on the driveway.

Exposed aggregate is applied after the concrete slab is poured. It can also be applied over old concrete after the concrete is repaired and cleaned. Exposed aggregate maintains its appearance and can be cleaned if grease or oil gets on the surface.

An exposed aggregate concrete driveway costs around $100 to $150 per square metre, depending on the type you choose. This is on top of the cost of the concrete. On an 18m2 driveway, the cost for exposed aggregate can be anywhere between $1,800 and $2,700.

How much does stencilled concrete cost?*

Stencilled concrete involves applying a pattern to driveway concrete. Decorative concreters have dozens of stencils to choose from, available in multiple colours. Usually, spray-on concrete is used, but sometimes it's spread over the surface.

A stencilled driveway can be made to look like natural stone, with the plain concrete in-between the stencilled pattern looking like grout lines between coloured bricks or pavers. You may even choose to have two or more colours to create a border or design in the middle of the driveway.

Because no two stencilling jobs are exactly alike, you need to get quotes for concrete stencilling, but it's usually between $100 and $150 per square metre. On average, concrete stencilling a driveway costs between $3,000 and $4,500 depending on the complexity of the design and the size of the driveway.

How much does stamping a concrete driveway cost?*

While stencilling gives you a flat surface, concrete stamping is the process of giving a driveway texture. Like stencilling, decorative concreters have many textures to choose from, or they can stamp grout lines between "pavers" or "brick." Good concreters can make a stamped concrete driveway look just like a paved driveway.

Concrete stamping involves several steps. Coloured concrete is poured over a concrete slab, then a release agent is applied to the concrete and the concreters use their body weight to impress the stamp into the concrete. The concrete is left to dry for 3 days, then a pressure washer is used to remove any remaining release agent and dust. The final step is the application of a sealer after the concrete has dried.

Concrete stamping is one of the most expensive types of concreting you can do on a driveway. On average, the cost is around $120 per m2 (plus GST), but it can be as high as $200 per m2 for a highly detailed design that requires more than one colour.
 

Is a concrete driveway worth it?

A concrete driveway costs more than alternatives such as asphalt or bitumen, but it will usually last longer, with more heat tolerance in the summer and less maintenance required across its lifespan.

Decorative concrete options can also make your driveway an attractive feature, enhancing the streetscape and adding value to your property if you decide to sell in the future.

How can I reduce the costs associated with a concrete driveway?

Concrete is already a cost-effective option for a driveway and there are very few ways to cut costs. Driveways must be built to Australian Standards and usually have a minimum width of 3 metres and minimum depth of 125mm, making them thicker than concrete paving or a concrete slab.

You could try to save on your concrete driveway cost by:

• Choosing plain concrete rather than a decorative option
• Using concrete paint, though this won't last as long as coloured concrete
• The cost of concrete driveway resurfacing is cheaper than installing a new driveway
• Choosing a concreter in your local area to save on travel costs
• Comparing quotes from other tradies to see if they could excavate and prepare your site for a driveway for cheaper than a concrete contractor

What is the cost of maintenance for a concrete driveway?*

One of the advantages of a concrete driveway is that they are very low maintenance. Occasional sweeping or hosing down are all that's generally needed to keep your driveway clean and looking good.

However, it's usually recommended to have your concrete driveway resealed every 5 years or so, which can cost from $30 to $60 per hour. This may not be necessary for some types of concrete.

How do I choose the right concrete professional to get the best driveway?

Concreting is a more difficult process than it looks. Even if you want a plain concrete driveway, you should choose a concreter who takes their work seriously and doesn't cut corners. The concrete slab has to last a long time, so paying extra for a good slab is worth the cost.

When choosing a concreter, check whether they need a trade licence in your state. Also make sure they:

- Have appropriate insurance

• Have been working in your area for a long time
• Have references
• Offer a workmanship guarantee

If you're having plain concrete poured, ask what process they use. If you're having decorative concrete poured, the concreter should have photos of their previous work and should be able to tell you where you can view examples. You'll want to hire experienced concreters who can do an expert job.

It's better to get several quotes for concrete driveway cost and compare them by price and quality. It's worth paying a little more for quality work, especially if you want a decorative surface like stencilling or stamping. The techniques used for this type of work can be complex and an expert service won't make mistakes.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.