Concrete slab cost in Australia (2026)
Updated , rebuilt monthly. Public ranges extracted 17 Oct 2026.
We have no price for concrete slabs yet. Published figures are too thin to show (two sources at most), and our cities hold 0 slab prices between them, below our minimum of 10 for any one city. We will publish a figure when a city reaches 10 prices or a sourced public range exists. What we can show now is who does this work: we scored 296 concreters across 5 cities, and the median has 14 Google reviews at 4.9★. Below is what a written slab quote should include, so quotes can be compared like for like. Updated 17 Oct 2026.
No price yet
We have no price for concrete slabs yet.
How we will get this number: we collect written quotes from homeowners and concreters, and ballpark figures given in reply to our standard enquiry (the Reply Test), each with an area, a thickness and a date. We call the second kind "ballpark figures given in reply to our standard enquiry" and never "quotes". When a city holds 10 prices we publish the middle half of them. Method
The Quote Index
How we will get this number: we collect written quotes from homeowners and concreters, and ballpark figures given in reply to our standard enquiry (the Reply Test), each with an area, a thickness and a date. We call the second kind "ballpark figures given in reply to our standard enquiry" and never "quotes". When a city holds 10 prices we publish the middle half of them. Method
What changes the price
- Thickness and reinforcement. Standard paths are often 75 mm and driveways 100 mm; a house slab follows an engineer's plan.
- Base preparation and compaction. Homeowners say they "don't know what they don't know" about slabs, and the base is the part they cannot see afterwards.
- Site conditions. Slope, reactive soil and drainage change the design. We have no suburb-level soil data, so ask your builder or engineer.
- Excavation and fill. Often quoted as a separate line.
- Pump hire and short-load fees.
- Edges, steps and falls. A drop edge or drain adds work.
- Permits. A slab for a building may need a building approval.
The crossover is a separate check
A driveway that crosses the footpath usually needs a vehicle crossing permit from your council, and the fee is separate from the concrete. Councils differ, so check yours in the permit table.
Common cost questions
How much does a concrete slab cost per square metre in Australia?
We have no price for concrete slabs yet. The checklist below tells you what to compare in the meantime.
What should a concrete slab quote include?
Area in square metres, thickness, base preparation, mesh and bar chairs, vapour barrier if needed, excavation and fill, pump, GST and payment stages. Missing lines are where quotes drift apart.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
Homeowners are commonly told 75 mm for paths and 100 mm for driveways. A house slab follows an engineer's design, so ask for the spec rather than a thickness alone.
Does a slab need a permit in Australia?
If the driveway crosses the footpath you usually need a vehicle crossing permit from your council. Fees differ by council: see the permit table.
Does my concreter need a licence for a slab in your state?
Ask for the number and look it up on your state register. The guide to hiring a concreter links to each one.
Why won't concreters return my calls about a slab quote?
It is the most common complaint we see. One homeowner wrote, "you'll call 12, 9 will ignore you, 3 will begrudgingly come and quote." Our Reply Test measures who replies. Results
Compare concreters near the job
Concrete driveway cost · Exposed aggregate cost · Polished concrete cost · Concrete cost per m² cost. Want to know who replies to enquiries? See the Reply Test. Think a figure is wrong? Tell us.