Exposed Aggregate Driveway Cost in Canberra (2026)
In Canberra an exposed-aggregate driveway is priced per square metre by area, stone and base, with frost curing and a high labour base the factors.
Your exposed aggregate driveway details
A double driveway is typically 50-70m².
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
Where the money goes
Estimated breakdown for your configuration
Exposed aggregate is more slip-resistant and hides marks better than plain or coloured concrete, which is why it is the most common premium driveway finish in Australia.
Ways to save
- A standard local aggregate looks great and costs much less than imported stone, ask to see finished driveways, not just samples.
- Pour the driveway and any paths together in one visit to share the concrete pump and crew cost.
- Confirm reinforcement and expansion joints are included, cracking is the main complaint and it is almost always a prep issue.
How we estimate this
An exposed aggregate driveway in Australia typically costs around $80 to $130 per square metre supplied and laid in 2026, so a double driveway often lands around $4,000 to $9,000. Premium stone, excavation and sealing push it toward the top of the range.
Pricing reviewed: October 2026.
What a exposed aggregate driveway costs in Canberra
An exposed-aggregate driveway in Canberra is priced on the area, the decorative stone and the base preparation, since it is a concrete slab poured over a compacted base then washed back to reveal the aggregate, a premium finish above plain concrete. The stone sets much of the cost, as a standard aggregate is cheaper than an imported or coloured pebble, so the area, the stone and the base lead the figure. The high local labour base, from a smaller market, lifts the work above the bigger cities.
Canberra's frosty winters make curing and the mix important, because a slab poured too close to a hard frost can be damaged before it gains strength, and the washing process to expose the aggregate must be timed so the surface is not frozen, so the pour is planned for suitable conditions. The exposed stone gives a non-slip surface useful on a frosty morning. The big temperature range means control joints and reinforcement manage the movement. Many ex-government and established homes choose exposed aggregate for a decorative drive. The high local labour base lifts the whole job. It is decorative concreting by a concreter rather than a licensed building trade, with a licensed builder for any retaining.
An exposed-aggregate driveway is decorative concreting by a concreter rather than a licensed building trade, so no building licence is required for the driveway itself, though any retaining wall or structural work needs a licensed builder, in the ACT under Access Canberra. For a Canberra home, the clearest way to price an exposed-aggregate driveway is by the area, the stone and the base, with frost curing and the high local labour base the factors.
Compare against the national picture: Exposed Aggregate Driveway Cost in Australia →
Exposed Aggregate Driveway Cost in other cities
Frequently asked questions
How is an exposed-aggregate driveway priced in Canberra?
By the area, the decorative stone and the base, since it is a concrete slab washed back to reveal the aggregate, so a standard stone is cheaper than an imported or coloured pebble, with the high local labour base lifting the Canberra work.
Does frost affect an exposed-aggregate driveway in Canberra?
Yes. A slab poured too close to a hard frost can be damaged before it gains strength, and the washing to expose the aggregate must be timed so the surface is not frozen, so the pour is planned for suitable conditions in Canberra.
Why is an exposed-aggregate driveway dearer in Canberra?
The high local labour base, from a smaller market, lifts the work above the bigger cities, so a Canberra exposed-aggregate driveway costs more in labour even for the same area and stone.
Do I need a licence for an exposed-aggregate driveway in Canberra?
No. It is decorative concreting by a concreter, not a licensed building trade, though any retaining wall or structural element needs a licensed builder, in the ACT under Access Canberra.