How Much Does Paving Cost Per Square Metre? [2025]

If you need any paving work done, you're naturally going to wonder how much it costs. The easiest way to get an initial idea is to find out how much paving costs per square metre, and what factors influence the final cost.

In this article, we discuss: 

• Different types of paving 
• How much does paving cost per m2?
• How much does a paving base cost?
• Does my paving contractor need to be licensed?
• How to hire a paving contractor
• Getting quotes from paving contractors

Types of paving

There’s a wide range of paving materials used in Australia, including concrete, brick, clay and terracotta. Pavers can also come in natural stones such as sandstone, granite and limestone.

The purpose of paving is to surface a wide range of areas, including:

• Driveways: A well-prepared base is essential to ensure that your paving doesn’t warp or move when pressure is applied

• Pathways: A well-laid path is not only functional, it can also be a decorative element for your outdoor area

• Patios: A paved patio area can help to extend your outdoor lifestyle and ensure you make the most of your home

• Pool surrounds: Paving around a pool needs to be slip-resistant to ensure it’s safe and also able to withstand exposure to chemicals (like chlorine)

How much does paving cost per square metre?

Paving can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 per square metre. That figure includes both materials and labour. A number of factors will determine the final price of your job, specifically:

• The type of paving you choose
• The size of your job
• How much prep work is required, including levelling
• How intricate your job is

Different types of pavers are easier to lay than others. For example, 500mm x 500mm square pavers are generally easier and quicker to lay than smaller, rectangular pavers. If you're adding contrasting border pavers, bricks need to be cut for a complex pattern, it’ll cost more than a simple paving job. 

A sloping driveway will cost more than a level driveway, too. For example, a plain concrete driveway might cost around $65 per square metre on a level surface, but the same concreting company might charge $75 per square metre for a sloping surface.

For the pavers themselves, expect to pay the following prices for different paver types:

• Concrete pavers: $45 to $60 per square metre 
• Limestone pavers: $40 to $70 per square metre 
• Quartzite pavers: $40 to $75+ per square metre
• Brick pavers: $70 to $90 per square metre
• Granite, travertine and flagstone pavers: $75 to $100 per square metre 

To understand the varying costs of different paving materials based off your project’s unique size, you can also use a paving cost calculator.

How much does a paving base cost?

The base of your pavers is important as it determines the stability and longevity of the pavers that rest on it.
For a site with easy access and little preparation, expect to pay in the region of:

• $1,500 to $1800 for a crushed rock base for a site of 50 square metres 
• $2300 to $2,800 for a poured concrete base for a site of 50 square metres 

The best way of finding out the cost of your paving job is to get quotes from local paving specialists. This will give you the most accurate sense of what market rates currently are.

You might also like: Installing new outdoor paving, Sealing your pavers

Does my paving contractor need to be licensed?

The short answer is - it depends where you live.

For example, in Queensland, your contractor would need a structural landscaping licence. In Victoria, a paving contractor will need to be registered as a builder. In other states, such as WA, no licence is required for paving work, though if a project exceeds $20,000 they would need to hold a builders licence. In NSW, they would need to hold a concreting licence if they lay any type of concrete paving or a "minor trade work" licence if they are laying stone paving.

Long story short, it’s best to check or ask your contractor what the requirements are before you hire them. 

Read more: Five things to consider before you start paving

How to hire a paving contractor

When it comes time to hiring a paving contractor, it’s important to make sure they’re right for your job, and the best way to do this is to get a gauge of their experience by asking a couple of questions. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you licensed for my project?
• Do you hold valid insurance?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Does my quote include edging, gravel and sand?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

Another tip is to always ask for the entire job to be quoted rather than get square metre or hourly rates. 

How to get quotes from paving contractors

When you start getting quotes for paving, expect contractors to ask questions like:

• What area are you paving?
• Is the surface level or sloping?
• What type of pavers would you like?
• When do you need the work done?

These questions will be asked so your paving contractor can get a better idea of the job required, and therefore give you an accurate quote.

Job details are important as pricing changes depending on what’s needed. For example, if you're paving a driveway, you’ll be advised to lay a concrete base, even if you're laying pavers on top of it. You’ll probably want a concrete base for a patio as well (although thinner than the one needed for a drive) but for a pathway you might get away with a gravel base. 

* All the costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are indicative, may vary locally, are subject to market forces and should only be used as a guide.