Cost guides › New driveway
Australia
Driveway cost: concrete, exposed aggregate and pavers
A new 50 m² exposed aggregate driveway typically costs $7,200 including GST, with most quotes between $5,600 and $9,350. That covers excavation, a compacted road base, formwork, steel mesh and a 100 mm slab with the aggregate washed off and sealed. Plain grey concrete comes in around $4,200, and pavers with a contrasting border are about $9,000. Pick asphalt, stencilled or stamped concrete in the calculator to price them, and add removal of an old slab or a strip drain.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $4,400 | $7,550 | $9,500 |
| Western Australia | $4,300 | $7,350 | $9,250 |
| Northern Territory | $4,250 | $7,300 | $9,100 |
| New South Wales | $4,250 | $7,250 | $9,050 |
| Queensland | $4,200 | $7,150 | $8,950 |
| Victoria | $4,200 | $7,100 | $8,900 |
| South Australia | $4,050 | $6,900 | $8,650 |
| Tasmania | $3,950 | $6,700 | $8,400 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Excavating the site and carting away the soil
- Geotextile fabric and a compacted crushed-rock road base
- Formwork, falls set away from the house, and expansion joints
- SL82 steel reinforcing mesh on bar chairs
- A 100 mm concrete slab with an exposed aggregate finish
- Saw-cut control joints and a clear sealer
- Cleanup once the forms are stripped
What affects the cost
Finish
Plain concrete is the cheapest slab. Coloured, stencilled and exposed aggregate finishes add labour and material; pavers usually cost the most because every unit is laid by hand on a screeded bed.
Site preparation and soil
Reactive clay, fill or soft ground needs a deeper dig and more road base. Sloping blocks need more formwork and careful falls, and they take longer to pour.
Removing the old driveway
Breaking up an old concrete driveway and paying tip fees for the heavy rubble is a separate line on most quotes. Lifting old pavers is cheaper but still takes time.
Drainage
Water has to drain away from the house and garage. A strip drain across the bottom of a driveway that falls towards the garage, connected to stormwater, is a common extra.
Access and pumping
If the concrete truck can't reach the pour, a line pump or barrows add cost. Battle-axe blocks and narrow side access are common reasons.
The crossover
The section between your boundary and the road sits on council land, so ask your council about its crossover rules before you plan the job. It is not in our figures.
How to save
- Plain concrete with a neat saw-cut pattern costs far less than exposed aggregate and still looks tidy.
- Keep the existing footprint so the council crossover and levels stay as they are.
- Pour in one go: concreters charge heavily for return visits and small second pours.
- Get three written quotes that state slab thickness, mesh grade, base depth and sealing.
Grants, tax and rules
Council crossover
Before you build or change the crossover at the street, ask your council what it requires. Crossover work and any fees are not in our figures.
GST
Quotes to households include 10% GST; our figures include GST.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Australia?
A 50 m² exposed aggregate driveway costs around $7,200 including GST. Plain concrete is about $4,200, and pavers with a border about $9,000. Removal of the old driveway and drainage cost extra.
Is exposed aggregate worth the extra over plain concrete?
It costs more, but it hides tyre marks and stains, is more slip-resistant when wet and doesn't show hairline cracks as much. It needs resealing every few years to keep the stones bright.
Pavers or concrete for a driveway?
Pavers cost more and take longer to lay, but single pavers can be lifted and replaced if tree roots or services move. Concrete is quicker and cheaper, but a crack is permanent.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
Walk on it after a day or two, drive a car on it after about a week, and keep heavy vehicles off for longer. Concrete keeps curing for weeks, especially in cool weather.
What does asphalt cost compared to concrete?
Hot-mix asphalt is usually the cheapest sealed surface for larger and rural driveways. It is quick to lay but softens in extreme heat and needs occasional resealing.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 40.4 · Labour: $3,557 · Materials: $2,970
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: Mid = exposed aggregate concrete, 50 m2 incl. GST, no tear-out. ~$145/m2: hipages exposed aggregate (22 Jan 2026) and driveway paving (31 Aug 2026) $100-150/m2; Karven concrete driveway cost guide (5 Jun 2026) $130-220/m2 supplied and laid..
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy