Plain, exposed aggregate and decorative concrete
Concrete driveway prices in Ballarat: 2026 cost guide
Expect about $85 per m² for plain concrete and up to $220 per m² for honed or stamped work, fitted. On top of that, Ballarat has one rule that affects most quotes: the crossover to the kerb has to be plain concrete.
These are per-metre rates and allowances for 2026. A written quote should show base preparation and the surface as separate lines, so you can compare one concreter with another. For a size-based figure use the cost calculator, or call (03) 9022 1391 for an exact quote.
2026 concrete driveway rates in Ballarat
Each line is a guide range to hold a quote against.
| Item | Guide price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain grey slab | $85 to $140 per m² fitted | 100mm thick with SL72 mesh, a basic finish and saw-cut joints. |
| Exposed aggregate slab | $120 to $180 per m² fitted | Surface washed back to show the stone, then sealed. Stops at the building line on a Ballarat crossover. |
| Honed slab | $140 to $220 per m² fitted | Ground with diamonds to a smooth surface. |
| Stamped or patterned slab | $140 to $220 per m² fitted | Pressed to look like pavers, slate or cobbles while staying one slab. Not allowed on the crossover. |
| Oxide colour added to the mix | add $15 to $35 per m² | The colour runs through the concrete. Not allowed on the crossover. |
| Saw cutting joints | $18 to $32 per linear m | Gives the slab a straight line to crack along. |
| Heavier slab for reactive clay | add $25 to $48 per m² | SL82 mesh and a thicker base, for ground that moves between wet and dry. |
| Crossover to the City of Ballarat kerb | $1,400 to $3,200 | Plain concrete to council's specification, with the paperwork. Council's own application fee is $130. |
| Taking out the old driveway | $45 to $85 per m² | Breaking up the slab, the skip and tip costs. |
| Contrasting border or band | add $45 to $85 per linear m | A strip of another finish along the edges of a plain slab. |
| Resealing exposed aggregate | $8 to $15 per m² | Upkeep about every 5 years. |
| Fixing cracks or refilling joints | $220 to $580 | For older slabs. |
| Widening an existing driveway | same rate per m² as the finish | Joined to the old slab with starter bars. A wider crossover needs its own permit check. |
| Slot drain in the slab | $220 to $380 per linear m | Catches water where the slope runs back toward the garage or house. |
Guide prices for Ballarat in 2026. Your block sets the final figure, so call (03) 9022 1391 for an exact number.
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What 40 m² costs at those rates
This is the rate table multiplied out for a 40 m² driveway, before any crossover, removal or pump hire.
| Finish | 40 m² fitted |
|---|---|
| Plain grey | $3,400 to $5,600 |
| Exposed aggregate | $4,800 to $7,200 |
| Stamped or honed | $5,600 to $8,800 |
City of Ballarat rules that affect the price
These come from the City of Ballarat driveways page. Check that page again before you lodge, because fees can change.
- You need a Vehicle Crossing Permit to build a concrete crossing or bridge on council-owned land. Building one without a permit can bring a fine.
- The application fee is $130, paid when you lodge. Apply online or at the Customer Service Centre, with a plan of where the crossover will go.
- The position should keep clear of water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, electricity, trees and drainage pits. Moving any of those would add to the cost, so look before you draw the plan.
- Coloured concrete, brick pavers, exposed aggregate and stencilling are not permitted between the building line and the kerb.
- Heritage overlays can add restrictions. Work in the road reserve may also need a separate permit.
The crossover permit guide has the steps in order.
What moves a Ballarat quote up or down
Most of the difference between two quotes comes from the items below.
- Finish: the gap between plain and stamped is $50 to $80 per m².
- Clay: ground that swells and shrinks can call for the heavier slab in the table.
- Size: a driveway under about 25 m² still carries the same setup costs, so its rate per m² tends to be higher.
- Reach: a pump, if the truck cannot get to the pour, adds $480 to $880 (see narrow access concreting).
- Grade: a slope over about 12% should get a non-slip finish, about $8 more per m².
- Water: falls and drains are worth sorting before the pour (see the Ballarat drainage guide). August averages about 74mm of rain at Ballarat Aerodrome, according to the Bureau of Meteorology averages for Ballarat Aerodrome.
Lines to question in a driveway quote
If a Ballarat quote has one of these, ask about it before you sign.
- No mesh type or slab thickness in writing.
- No mention of joints, or no plan showing where they go.
- A per-metre price well under the plain concrete range above, with no list of what it leaves out.
- Exposed aggregate or colour drawn all the way to the kerb, which council does not allow.
- "Exposed aggregate" with no detail on the stone or the sealer. Ask to see a finished job.
- Being told you can drive on the slab within a day or two.
- A crossover priced with no word on who gets the permit.
What to have ready when you ask for a price
Call (03) 9022 1391 or use the quote form, and include these to get a closer first figure.
- Length and width of the driveway, so the area in m² can be worked out.
- Your address, so overlays and the suburb's ground can be checked.
- Photos of the driveway, the kerb and the footpath out the front.
- The finish and any colour you have in mind.
- Whether this is a new entry or a wider one, since the crossover permit may then apply.
Questions about Ballarat driveway prices
What does the City of Ballarat charge for a crossover permit?
$130 when you lodge the Vehicle Crossing Permit application, with a plan of the proposed position. That fee is separate from building the crossover. Source: City of Ballarat driveways page.
Why does my exposed aggregate quote have a plain concrete section?
Council does not permit exposed aggregate, coloured concrete, stencilling or brick pavers between the building line and the kerb. A correct Ballarat quote prices that strip as plain concrete.
How long before I can park on the new slab?
Keep off it on foot for the first 24 hours, keep cars off for 7 days, and leave trucks and heavy loads for 28 days. Get the dates written down when the slab is poured, because a cold spell can slow curing.
Do saw cuts stop cracking?
They control where cracking shows. A cut gives the slab a straight line to crack along, so a crack tends to stay in the joint. Check the quote says where the cuts go.
Is exposed aggregate better than plain for Ballarat winters?
It gives more grip when wet and hides dirt and stains better. Plain costs less and looks smoother. Both are on the Ballarat comparison page, with what each one costs to look after.
Will a coloured driveway fade?
Oxide mixed into the concrete holds its colour better than a stain put on the surface, and the colour goes all the way through. Look at finished samples before you choose (see colour samples in Ballarat).
How many days will the work take?
A driveway of about 40 m² usually takes a day of preparation and a day to pour, then 7 days of curing before a car goes on it. Allow extra in wet months: August averages about 14 rain days at Ballarat Aerodrome.
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