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How much does a deck cost in Australia?
Estimates differ a lot. Here is what four guides say, installed, per m²:
| Guide | Treated pine | Merbau | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| What’s The Damage (October 2026) | $180 to $350 | $300 to $550 | $280 to $900 |
| The Quote Yard, SA (April 2026) | $180 to $280 | $220 to $350 | $200 to $380 |
| Leadkit (September 2026) | $200 to $280 | $280 to $380 | $350 to $550 |
| RenoGuide (July 2026) | $250 to $450 | $400 to $700 | $500 to $900 |
GoingRate says a deck typically costs $200 to $350 per m² in 2026. None of these guides says whether GST is included, and most are lead-generation sites for builders, so treat them as ranges, not prices. Our cost page lists more detail.
What do labour and materials cost separately?
Leadkit says supply-only treated pine boards run about $50 to $90 per m² and labour about $80 to $130 per m². RenoGuide gives board supply at $40 to $90 for treated pine, $70 to $150 for hardwood, $80 to $160 for ModWood and $90 to $180 for composite.
What do a 12 to 15 m² and a 20 to 30 m² deck cost?
RenoGuide puts 12 to 15 m² at $4,000 to $10,000. Brite Decking, a composite seller, gives 15 m² of composite at $3,750 to $6,750 and timber at $3,000 to $6,000, which is lower than the other guides.
What is not in the per m² rate?
What’s The Damage lists elevated decks at $50 to $180 per m² extra, balustrades $150 to $450 per lineal metre, steps $180 to $400 each and old deck removal $20 to $55 per m². The Quote Yard says balustrades, stairs, posts and termite management are normally on top.
Your quotes, not typical prices
Most Australian decking manufacturers don’t publish prices; they quote or sell through stockists. The calculator therefore leaves the prices blank for you to fill in from your quotes:
- Board price per board, lineal metre or m²
- Joist price per metre
- Fixings per 100
- Supports and footings (total)
- Labour per m², if you use an installer
If a required price is missing, the result is marked “Partial” and lists what is missing. Prices include GST only if your quotes do. For the board count, use the decking calculator.
Questions
How much does a deck cost?
Guides we read put a typical installed deck at $200 to $350 per m² (GoingRate, October 2026), with treated pine at the low end and composite or merbau higher. RenoGuide gives $4,000 to $10,000 for 12 to 15 m². Treat these as ballparks and get quotes.
How much does it cost to build a deck per square metre in Australia?
Treated pine $180 to $450, merbau $220 to $700, mid-range composite $200 to $900 across the guides we read. They disagree widely, and none says whether GST is included. Our cost guide lists each one.
How much would a deck cost to build myself?
Brite Decking, a composite seller, says DIY on a 30 m² deck saves $1,500 to $3,600 in labour and takes 2 to 4 weekends against 3 to 7 days for professionals. That is a seller's estimate.
What do add-ons cost?
GoingRate lists a pergola at +$6,000, balustrade +$2,500, seating +$1,500, stairs +$1,200 and lighting +$800 as flat figures. What's The Damage prices balustrades at $150 to $450 per lineal metre and steps at $180 to $400 each.
Sources
- Independent Australian Cost Guides (decking cost)
- Typical Costs - Deck installation SA (The Quote Yard)
- Decking Cost per Square Metre in Australia 2026 - Plus 15m2 Deck Prices (Leadkit)
- How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck in Australia? (2026 Guide) (RenoGuide)
- Deck Cost Calculator (Australia 2026) (GoingRate)