Exposed Aggregate Concrete Cost Per Square Metre in 2026

Exposed aggregate concrete cost per m2 in Australia sits at $110–$190 per square metre supplied and laid in 2026, with most suburban driveways landing between $120 and $160/m². That's roughly double the $60–$100/m² you'd pay for plain broom-finish concrete, and the gap is the price of the extra pour steps, the decorative stone and the sealer.

If you're pricing a driveway in Sydney, a pool surround in Brisbane or an alfresco slab in Perth, the per-m² number is only half the story. Base prep, old-slab removal, borders and council crossover permits are flat extras stacked on top, and they're where most budgets come undone.

This guide gives you the 2026 exposed aggregate price per m² by city, the total cost of a typical driveway, a straight exposed aggregate vs plain concrete comparison, and a checklist for reading a concreter's quote. For a ballpark on your own dimensions, run the free driveway concreting quote calculator — 30 seconds, no signup.

Last updated: September 2026.

Key takeaways

• Exposed aggregate concrete costs $110–$190/m² supplied and laid across Australia in 2026; the typical suburban job lands at $120–$160/m².
• Plain concrete runs $60–$100/m², so exposed aggregate is a $50–$90/m² premium — about 1.7 to 2 times the plain rate.
• A 40m² exposed aggregate driveway costs roughly $4,800–$7,600 for the slab, or $5,500–$10,000 all-in once base prep, removal and a crossover permit are added.
• Sydney and Melbourne sit at the top of the national band ($130–$200/m²); Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide are cheaper ($100–$160/m²).
• The biggest hidden costs are excavation and base prep ($500–$2,500 flat), demolishing an old slab ($30–$60/m²) and re-sealing every 2–3 years ($3–$8/m²).

Table of contents

1. How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost per m² in 2026?
2. What does an exposed aggregate driveway cost in total?
3. Exposed aggregate vs plain concrete — what's the real price difference?
4. What drives exposed aggregate price in Australia?
5. How does exposed aggregate compare with other decorative concrete costs?
6. How is exposed aggregate laid, and why does it cost more?
7. How do you keep the price down without getting a cheap job?
8. What should be on an exposed aggregate quote?
9. FAQs — exposed aggregate concrete cost
10. Final tips before you book a concreter

How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost per m² in 2026? {#price-table}

Exposed aggregate concrete costs $110–$190 per m² supplied and laid in Australia in 2026, with the national sweet spot at $120–$160/m² for a standard 100mm residential slab using a 10mm or 20mm river-pebble mix. Sydney and Melbourne price at the upper end; Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane price lower.

Those per-m² rates cover the concrete, mesh, formwork, pour, retarder, wash-off and a first coat of sealer on a level, accessible site. They don't include the flat extras — excavation, old-slab removal, crossover permits and premium aggregates — which the next two sections price out.

This is a price indication only. Your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.

Methodology: the ranges in this guide are compiled from 2026 Australian concreting price guides and structured the way concreters price a job in Leadkit's driveway concreting quote calculator — area × per-m² finish rate, then flat extras on top. Leadkit is our own platform, so treat the calculator as a starting point, not independent data. Every figure here is a general guide, not a promise.

What does an exposed aggregate driveway cost in total? {#driveway-cost}

An exposed aggregate driveway cost in 2026 is $4,800–$7,600 for a standard 40m² slab, or $5,500–$10,000 once you add base prep, old-driveway removal and a council crossover permit. Work it out by multiplying length × width to get your area in m², multiplying that by the per-m² rate, then adding the flat extras.

Two things to read carefully in that table:

• Small areas cost more per m². A concrete truck has a minimum load, the pump costs the same whether it pumps 2m³ or 8m³, and formwork setup is a fixed half-day. Under about 20m², expect the effective rate to sit at the top of the range — or above it. That's why an 18m² job is only about half the price of a 40m² job, not 45%.
• The flat extras are the swing factor. Excavation and a compacted road-base layer run $500–$2,500 depending on slope and access. Breaking out and carting away an old concrete driveway adds $30–$60/m². A crossover permit — required wherever the driveway meets the council footpath — is $200–$800 depending on the council.

Every concreting estimate that runs through a Leadkit calculator is built the same way a concreter builds it: area × finish rate first, then the flat lines stacked on top. That structure is exactly why we tell homeowners to compare the total on competing quotes, never the per-m² headline — a low rate with the prep quoted separately can easily cost more than a higher rate that's genuinely all-in.

This is a price indication only. Your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.

Exposed aggregate vs plain concrete — what's the real price difference? {#vs-plain}

Exposed aggregate costs $50–$90/m² more than plain concrete, which makes it roughly 1.7 to 2 times the price of a broom-finish slab. On a 40m² driveway that's a $2,000–$3,600 premium — and most homeowners on a street-facing driveway decide it's worth it.

Where the extra money actually goes:

• Materials. An exposed aggregate mix from a supplier like Boral, Holcim or Hanson uses selected decorative stone rather than whatever's cheapest, and it's usually a higher-cement, higher-MPa mix so the stone bonds properly. Add surface retarder and sealer on top.
• Labour. The crew has to return to the site for the wash-off — often the same evening or early the next morning — and then again for sealing. That's two or three extra visits over a plain pour.
• Skill. Timing the wash is a genuine craft. Too early and the stone rolls out; too late and you can't expose it. Experienced exposed-aggregate crews charge accordingly.

If you want the full plain-concrete picture — including how Sydney and Melbourne differ on prep and permits — our guides to concrete driveway costs in Sydney and concrete driveway costs in Melbourne price both finishes side by side.

What drives exposed aggregate price in Australia? {#cost-drivers}

The exposed aggregate price in Australia is driven by six things: your city, the area of the pour, the aggregate you choose, site access and prep, slab thickness and reinforcement, and the finishing extras like borders and premium sealers. Get these right on the quote and the number rarely surprises you on the day.

1. Location. Labour rates and concrete supply pricing differ by capital city, which is why Sydney sits $30–$50/m² above Perth for the same finish. Regional areas can swing either way — cheaper labour, but longer truck cartage and fewer specialist crews.

2. Area and shape. Bigger is cheaper per m². Curves, tight radiuses and lots of edges mean more formwork and more hand-finishing, so a wandering garden path costs more per m² than a straight rectangular driveway.

3. Aggregate type. Standard 10–20mm river pebble is the base price. Premium mixes — white quartz, black granite, coloured glass, oxide-tinted cement — add $10–$30/m² and sometimes more if the stone has to be trucked in from interstate.

4. Site access and base prep. A flat block with side access where the truck can pour direct is the cheapest scenario. If the concrete has to be pumped over a house, or the site needs cutting, filling and a compacted 100mm road-base layer, budget $500–$2,500 for prep before the first m² is priced.

5. Slab thickness and reinforcement. A standard residential driveway is 100mm thick on SL72 mesh at 25–32 MPa. Reactive clay sites (Class M, H or E under AS 2870) often need a thicker slab and heavier mesh, which adds $10–$20/m². Anything carrying a caravan, boat trailer or work truck should be 125–150mm.

6. Finishing extras. Plain or coloured concrete borders add $20–$30 per linear metre. A premium wet-look or penetrating sealer can add $5–$10/m² over a standard acrylic. Decorative saw-cut patterns are priced per cut.

For a slab-only comparison — shed base, patio, alfresco — the numbers shift a little because there's no crossover and often less prep. Slab-only jobs usually price $10–$20/m² below the driveway rates above for the same finish.

How does exposed aggregate compare with other decorative concrete costs? {#decorative}

Exposed aggregate is the mid-priced decorative concrete option in 2026: dearer than coloured concrete, cheaper than stencilled, stamped or polished finishes, and well below the cost of laying natural stone or premium pavers.

Exposed aggregate wins on two practical measures. First, slip resistance — the washed stone surface achieves a high wet-pendulum slip rating without any extra treatment, which is why it's the default around pools and on sloping driveways. Second, forgiveness — the mottled surface hides tyre marks, leaf stains and the odd oil drip that would be obvious on plain or coloured concrete.

Where it loses is comfort underfoot for bare feet on very hot days (larger, angular aggregate is rougher than a smooth pebble mix) and maintenance, because the sealer needs redoing every 2–3 years to keep the colour and stop staining.

If you're weighing a honed or polished finish for an indoor-outdoor area instead, budget at the top of that table — polished floors are priced on grind depth and gloss level as much as on area.

This is a price indication only. Your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.

How is exposed aggregate laid, and why does it cost more? {#process}

Exposed aggregate is laid like a normal slab, then the top layer of cement paste is removed to reveal the stone underneath — that extra step, and the return visits it requires, is where the price premium comes from. Here's the process a competent concreter follows, with the trade terms you'll hear on a quote.

1. Excavation and base. The area is cut to depth, a compacted road-base layer goes down, and formwork (timber or steel edging) is set to the finished levels with fall away from the house.
2. Reinforcement. SL72 mesh is placed on bar chairs so it sits in the middle of the slab, not on the ground. The mesh is what stops shrinkage cracks turning into structural cracks.
3. The pour. A 25–32 MPa mix is placed and screeded. MPa (megapascals) is the concrete's compressive strength rating — 20 MPa is fine for a path, 25 MPa is the usual driveway spec, and 32 MPa is what you'd want under heavy vehicles.
4. Seeded or integral aggregate. There are two methods. Integral (mix-in) aggregate is blended through the whole load at the batching plant — Boral, Holcim and Hanson all supply pre-designed exposed mixes. Seeded aggregate is broadcast over the surface of a standard mix and trowelled in. Seeding lets you use expensive stone economically, but it takes more skill to get even coverage.
5. Surface retarder. A surface retarder is sprayed on the fresh slab to slow the set of the top few millimetres of cement paste (the "cream") while the slab beneath cures normally.
6. Wash-off. Several hours later — timing depends on temperature — the crew pressure-washes and brushes the retarded paste away to expose the stone. This is the return visit you're paying for.
7. Cutting control joints. Saw-cut control joints (sometimes called expansion joints, though they're technically different) are cut at roughly 3–4m centres so the slab cracks in a straight line where it's meant to, not across the middle.
8. Curing and sealing. After a week or so of curing, the slab gets a coat of acrylic or penetrating sealer, which locks in the stone colour and keeps out oil and tannin stains.

Reputable concreters work to the residential pavement standard (AS 3727.1) and follow the mix, cover and curing guidance published by Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA). If your quote skips the mesh, the retarder or the sealer, it's not an exposed aggregate quote — it's a plain pour with a wash.

Want an instant ballpark before you call anyone? Run the concreting quote calculator with your area and finish — the result is an indication only, and your concreter confirms the final price on site.

How do you keep the price down without getting a cheap job? {#save}

You can trim an exposed aggregate quote by 10–25% without compromising the slab by choosing a standard local aggregate, pouring in one visit, keeping edges straight, doing your own demolition and sealing on schedule. What you shouldn't do is cut the mesh, the thickness or the MPa rating.

• Pick a local, standard aggregate. A 10mm or 20mm river pebble available from your nearest batching plant is the base price. Imported glass or interstate quartz is where the $10–$30/m² premiums live.
• Pour everything at once. If you're doing a driveway and a side path, book them as one pour. One truck minimum, one pump hire, one crew set-up.
• Keep it rectangular. Every curve adds formwork time and hand-finishing. Simple geometry is cheaper geometry.
• Do your own demo — carefully. Breaking up an old slab yourself and hiring a skip can save $30–$60/m², but check for buried services first and remember concrete is heavy. Many homeowners find it's worth paying the concreter to do it.
• Get three like-for-like quotes. Compare total price, not per-m² rate, and make sure each quote specifies thickness, mesh, MPa, aggregate and sealer.
• Seal on schedule. A $3–$8/m² re-seal every 2–3 years is far cheaper than an acid clean and re-seal on a neglected surface, and vastly cheaper than resurfacing a failed driveway.

Bunnings and trade outlets stock DIY-grade acrylic sealers if you'd rather do the maintenance yourself; just make sure the surface is bone dry and clean before you roll it on.

Where you should never save: mesh, slab thickness or concrete strength. A 75mm slab on no mesh will look identical to a proper 100mm slab on the day it's poured, and completely different two winters later.

What should be on an exposed aggregate quote? {#quote-checklist}

A proper exposed aggregate quote itemises the slab specification, the aggregate, the prep, the flat extras and the sealer — and in most states, anything over a modest threshold has to be a written contract from a licensed tradie. Use this checklist before you sign.

Slab specification

• Area in m² and slab thickness (100mm standard; 125–150mm for heavy vehicles)
• Concrete strength in MPa (25 minimum for driveways)
• Reinforcement type (SL72 mesh, on chairs)
• Base preparation depth and material (compacted road base)

Finish

• Aggregate type, size and colour — with a sample or a photo of a previous job
• Seeded or integral method
• Sealer type and whether the first coat is included
• Control joint layout and any border detail

Extras and admin

• Excavation, spoil removal and old-slab demolition, priced separately
• Council crossover permit — who applies and who pays
• Pump hire if the truck can't pour direct
• GST clearly shown (most residential quotes are inc. GST — confirm)

Licensing and contracts

• In NSW, residential building work over $5,000 inc. GST requires a licensed tradie and a written contract, and contracts over $20,000 need Home Building Compensation Fund cover — NSW Fair Trading sets out the rules. Victoria (VBA) and Queensland (QBCC) run equivalent schemes.
• Ask for the licence number and check it on the state register.
• Industry bodies such as the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Australia publish standard residential contract templates that protect both parties.

If a quote is a single line — "exposed aggregate driveway, $6,500" — ask for it itemised. A concreter who's confident in the job will happily break it down.

FAQs — exposed aggregate concrete cost {#faqs}

Q: How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost per m² in Australia in 2026?

A: Exposed aggregate concrete costs $110–$190 per m² supplied and laid across Australia in 2026, with most residential jobs landing at $120–$160/m². Sydney and Melbourne sit at the top of that band at $130–$200/m²; Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide are cheaper at $100–$160/m². The rate covers a 100mm slab on SL72 mesh with a standard pebble mix, wash-off and a first coat of sealer. Base prep, old-slab removal and crossover permits are extra. Run your own dimensions through the driveway concreting category tools for an instant indication — your concreter confirms the final price after assessing the site.

Q: Is exposed aggregate more expensive than plain concrete?

A: Yes — exposed aggregate costs about $50–$90/m² more than plain concrete, or roughly 1.7 to 2 times the plain rate. Plain broom-finish concrete runs $60–$100/m² in 2026 while exposed aggregate runs $110–$190/m². On a 40m² driveway that's a premium of around $2,000–$3,600. The extra covers the decorative stone, the surface retarder, the return visit for the wash-off and the sealer. Most homeowners pay it for a street-facing driveway or a pool surround because the finish is more slip-resistant and hides tyre marks and stains far better than plain grey concrete.

Q: How much does a 40m² exposed aggregate driveway cost?

A: A 40m² exposed aggregate driveway costs roughly $4,800–$7,600 for the slab alone in 2026, or $5,500–$10,000 all-in once excavation, base prep, removal of an old driveway and a council crossover permit are included. That's a typical single-car driveway of about 3.5m × 11m. A 60m² double driveway runs $7,200–$11,400 for the slab and $8,200–$14,500 all-in. Small jobs under 20m² cost more per m² because truck minimums, pump hire and formwork set-up are fixed costs. This is a price indication only — your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.

Q: Which is cheaper — exposed aggregate or pavers?

A: Exposed aggregate is usually cheaper than pavers for the same area. Concrete pavers laid on a compacted base typically run $80–$150/m² and natural stone pavers $150–$300/m² or more once laying is included, while exposed aggregate sits at $110–$190/m² with no joints to weed and no pavers to lift if they settle. Pavers win if you might need to access services under the surface later, or if you want to do the job in stages. For a like-for-like comparison, get both priced on the same area and compare totals, not per-m² rates — our paving cost per square metre guide has the 2026 paver rates.

Q: How long does exposed aggregate concrete last?

A: A properly laid exposed aggregate slab lasts 25–40 years — often longer than plain concrete, because the sealed stone surface resists wear, staining and weathering better than a broom finish. The keys are a 100mm slab on mesh, a 25–32 MPa mix, control joints at 3–4m centres and a re-seal every 2–3 years. Skipping the sealer won't make the slab fail, but the stone will dull and pick up oil and tannin stains that are hard to remove. Cracking outside the control joints usually points to a thin slab, missing mesh or poor base compaction rather than the finish itself.

Q: Does exposed aggregate need to be sealed, and what does it cost?

A: Exposed aggregate should be sealed after it cures and re-sealed every 2–3 years, at a cost of about $3–$8 per m² per application when a concreter does it. The sealer locks in the stone colour, gives that slightly wet-look finish and stops oil, leaf tannin and rust marks soaking in. A standard acrylic sealer is the cheapest option; penetrating and premium wet-look sealers cost $5–$10/m² more but last longer. DIY sealer from Bunnings works fine if the surface is thoroughly clean and dry first. Check whether the first coat is included in your quote — it usually is, but not always.

Q: Is exposed aggregate slippery when wet?

A: No — exposed aggregate is one of the least slippery concrete finishes when wet, which is why it's the default choice around pools, on sloping driveways and on outdoor stairs. The washed-stone texture gives it a high wet-pendulum slip rating without any extra treatment. Two things can reduce that grip: a thick build-up of glossy sealer, which can create a film over the stone, and algae in shaded, damp areas. Use a sealer designed for exposed aggregate, apply it thinly, and pressure-wash shaded sections once a year.

Q: Can you lay exposed aggregate over an existing concrete driveway?

A: Generally no — a full-depth exposed aggregate slab needs to be poured fresh, so an old driveway is usually broken out and removed at $30–$60/m². The exception is a thin exposed aggregate overlay or resurfacing system, which bonds a decorative topping to a sound existing slab for roughly $60–$120/m². Overlays only work if the existing concrete is structurally sound with no heaving, major cracks or drainage problems; if it's failing, you're better off replacing it. Get a concreter to inspect the old slab before quoting either option.

Final tips before you book a concreter {#final-tips}

Exposed aggregate concrete cost per m2 comes down to three numbers: the finish rate for your city ($110–$190/m² in 2026), the flat extras for prep, removal and permits, and the ongoing re-seal every few years. Get all three on paper before you compare quotes.

• Compare totals, not per-m² rates. A low headline rate with prep quoted separately is the oldest trick in the book.
• Ask for the spec in writing. 100mm, SL72 mesh, 25 MPa minimum, aggregate type and sealer. If it's not on the quote, it's not in the job.
• See the stone before you commit. Ask for a sample or an address of a previous job with the same mix — aggregate colour changes a lot between wet, dry and sealed.
• Book in dry weather. The wash-off timing is weather-sensitive, and a rushed or delayed wash is the most common cause of a patchy finish.
• Diary the re-seal. Two to three years, every time. It's the cheapest maintenance you'll ever do on a driveway.

Want an instant price estimate? Browse the free Leadkit concreting and building calculators — takes 30 seconds, no signup. The result is an indication only; your tradie confirms the final price after assessing the job.