How much does a patio cost in Australia? (2026 prices by state)
BeforeFlat Roof Colorbond PatioA typical 6 × 4.5 m patio in Australia costs from $10,500 to $12,500 for a simple polycarbonate roof in Perth to $32,000 to $37,500 for an opening louvre roof in Sydney. Most Colorbond patios land in between, with a flat roof in Melbourne at about $12,500 to $14,500.
Those are installed prices, including GST, for an attached structure of 27 m². The real patio cost in Australia depends on your roof style, your state and your site, so use them as a starting point rather than a quote.
Patio prices by style and state in 2026
The table shows our indicative installed prices for a 6 × 4.5 m patio or pergola, for every style and every state. Prices are rounded and include GST.
| Style (6 × 4.5 m) | WA | SA | VIC | QLD | NSW | ACT | TAS | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulated Roof Patio | $15,000 to $17,500 | $15,000 to $17,500 | $15,500 to $18,500 | $16,000 to $19,000 | $17,000 to $20,000 | $17,000 to $20,000 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $18,000 to $21,000 |
| Flat Roof Colorbond Patio | $11,500 to $13,500 | $11,500 to $13,500 | $12,500 to $14,500 | $12,500 to $15,000 | $13,500 to $16,000 | $13,500 to $16,000 | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 |
| Gable Roof Patio | $16,000 to $18,500 | $16,000 to $18,500 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $17,000 to $20,000 | $18,500 to $21,500 | $18,500 to $21,500 | $18,000 to $21,000 | $19,000 to $22,500 |
| Skillion Patio | $12,000 to $14,500 | $12,000 to $14,500 | $13,000 to $15,000 | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $13,500 to $16,000 | $14,500 to $17,000 |
| Adjustable Louvre Pergola | $28,000 to $33,000 | $28,000 to $33,000 | $29,500 to $34,500 | $30,000 to $35,500 | $32,000 to $37,500 | $32,000 to $37,500 | $31,500 to $36,500 | $33,500 to $39,500 |
| Open Timber Pergola | $9,500 to $11,000 | $9,500 to $11,000 | $10,000 to $11,500 | $10,000 to $12,000 | $11,000 to $12,500 | $11,000 to $12,500 | $10,500 to $12,500 | $11,500 to $13,500 |
| Polycarbonate Roof Patio | $10,500 to $12,500 | $10,500 to $12,500 | $11,000 to $13,000 | $11,500 to $13,500 | $12,500 to $14,500 | $12,500 to $14,500 | $12,000 to $14,000 | $13,000 to $15,000 |
| Curved Roof Patio | $14,500 to $17,000 | $14,500 to $17,000 | $15,000 to $17,500 | $15,500 to $18,000 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $16,000 to $19,000 | $17,000 to $20,000 |
| Fixed Aluminium Slat Pergola | $13,000 to $15,500 | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,000 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $15,000 to $18,000 | $15,000 to $18,000 | $14,500 to $17,500 | $16,000 to $18,500 |
| Pyramid Roof Pavilion | $20,000 to $23,500 | $20,000 to $23,500 | $21,000 to $24,500 | $21,500 to $25,000 | $23,000 to $27,000 | $23,000 to $27,000 | $22,500 to $26,000 | $24,000 to $28,000 |
Indicative installed prices including GST, attached, 27 m², rounded. Pavilion is freestanding. A site measure and quote from an installer sets the real price. Updated 28 October 2026.
A few patterns stand out. WA and SA are the cheapest states to build in, VIC and QLD sit in the middle, and NSW and the ACT are the most expensive. Within any state, a flat or polycarbonate roof is the budget option and an adjustable louvre roof costs roughly three times as much.
What does a patio cost per square metre?
At our current indicative prices, a 27 m² patio works out to roughly these amounts per square metre, depending on the state:
- Flat Colorbond or polycarbonate roof: about $390 to $570 per m².
- Skillion or curved roof: about $440 to $680 per m².
- Insulated, gable or fixed slat roof: about $540 to $830 per m².
- Freestanding pyramid pavilion: about $740 to $1,030 per m².
- Adjustable louvre roof: about $1,220 to $1,690 per m².
Treat these as a rough guide only. Small patios usually cost more per square metre, because setup, delivery, approvals and the connection to the house cost much the same whatever the size. Compare $7,500 to $9,000 for a 3 × 3 m flat roof in WA with $11,500 to $13,500 for 6 × 4.5 m.
If you want to test other sizes, our patio cost calculator gives a range for your own measurements.
Colorbond patio cost by roof style
Most Australian patios use Colorbond steel roofing. The roof shape is the biggest single choice you make, and it changes the price more than anything except size. Here is how the main styles compare for a 6 × 4.5 m patio in Queensland:
- Flat roof: $12,500 to $15,000. The simplest and cheapest Colorbond option, with a slight fall for drainage.
- Skillion: $13,000 to $15,500. A single sloping roof, often raised at the outer edge to let in more light.
- Curved roof: $15,500 to $18,000. Softer lines, with bent sheets that cost a little more to make.
- Insulated roof: $16,000 to $19,000. Panels with an insulating core and a finished ceiling underneath.
- Gable: $17,000 to $20,000. A pitched, triangular roof that adds height and airflow.
Not sure which shape suits you? Our guide to flat, gable and skillion patios compares them side by side.
BeforeGable Roof PatioWhat drives the cost of a patio?
Two patios of the same size can be thousands of dollars apart. These are the main reasons:
- Size: more roof, more beams and often more posts.
- Roof type: flat and polycarbonate cost least; gable, slat, pavilion and louvre cost most.
- Insulation: insulated panels cost more than single sheets of steel.
- Height: a patio fixed to a double-storey house or raised above the gutter needs taller posts and more steel.
- Access: narrow side paths, steep blocks or no room for a trailer add labour time.
- Footings and ground: sand, clay, rock or a slope can change the footing design.
- Attached or freestanding: a freestanding pavilion needs posts and footings on every corner.
Hidden costs to budget for
Many quotes look similar until you check what is left out. These are the items that most often catch homeowners by surprise.
Slab, footings and paving
Our prices cover the patio structure itself. A new concrete slab, paving or decking underneath is a separate job, and so are special footings on poor or sloping ground. Ask whether the quote includes footings, and who prepares the ground.
Council approval and engineering
Most attached patios need approval. In NSW a patio can be exempt development only if it meets a list of rules, including no more than 25 m² per structure, no more than 3 m high and, in most zones, at least 900 mm from the boundary. A 6 × 4.5 m patio is 27 m², so it is already over that limit.
In WA, the City of Cockburn requires a building permit for any patio attached to a dwelling. The City of Belmont says an uncertified application needs plans plus structural designs certified by a registered structural engineer, and takes about 25 business days, against about 10 for a certified application. Belmont also flags a Construction Training Fund levy form when the works cost more than $20,000.
Every council is different, so read our guide to council approval for patios and pergolas before you sign anything.
Electrical work and extras
Lights, ceiling fans and power points all need cabling. In Queensland, the Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is unlicensed work and is illegal, so budget for a licensed electrician. Blinds and gutter connections also add up.
| Extra | Typical supply and install |
|---|---|
| Lighting | $600 to $1,500 |
| Ceiling fan | $500 to $1,200 |
| Outdoor blinds | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Gutter connection | $300 to $800 |
| Old patio removal | $500 to $2,000 |
Typical Australian ranges before any state difference. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician.
Our patio extras cost guide explains each one.
Removing an old structure
Taking down an old patio, verandah or carport adds labour and tip fees. If your home was built before 1990, the national asbestos agency warns it may contain asbestos, and old roof sheeting is a common place to find it. Read our guide to replacing an old patio before anyone starts pulling it apart.
How to get an exact patio price
An indicative range helps you set a budget. Only a site measure and a written quote can tell you the real figure. To get there quickly:
- Measure the area and note the height where the roof will meet the house.
- Pick a style you actually like on your home, not just in a brochure.
- Ask for a site measure so the installer can check access, ground, height and approvals.
- Get it in writing, with footings, approvals, engineering, gutter connection, electrical work and removal listed clearly.
- Compare like with like using our guide on how to compare patio quotes.
Backyard Mate makes the first two steps easy. Upload one photo and see your chosen patio, pergola or alfresco roof built on your own house in about 30 seconds, with an indicative price for your state. If you want an exact figure, one local installer can call you for a free quote, and only one.
Common questions
How much does a 6 x 4.5 m patio cost?
A 6 × 4.5 m flat roof Colorbond patio is about $11,500 to $13,500 installed in WA and SA, and about $13,500 to $16,000 in NSW. An insulated roof of the same size is about $15,000 to $17,500 in WA. These are indicative ranges; a site measure sets the real price.
What is the cheapest type of patio?
A polycarbonate roof or a flat Colorbond roof is usually the cheapest. In WA a 6 × 4.5 m polycarbonate patio is about $10,500 to $12,500, and a flat Colorbond patio is about $11,500 to $13,500.
Do patio prices include GST and installation?
Our ranges are installed prices that include GST. A new slab, council fees, engineering, electrical work and removal of an old structure can be extra, so check each quote line by line.
Do I need council approval for a patio?
Usually, yes, for a patio attached to your house. In NSW a patio can skip approval only if it meets the exempt development rules, including a 25 m² limit per structure. In WA, councils such as Cockburn require a building permit for any patio attached to a dwelling.
Why are patios more expensive in NSW?
Labour, materials and approval costs vary between states, so the same design costs more in some places. A 6 × 4.5 m gable patio is about $16,000 to $18,500 in WA and about $18,500 to $21,500 in NSW.
Keep reading
Sources
- Balconies, Decks and Patios | NSW Planning Portal
- Patios, Pergolas & Shade Sails (in Residential Areas) | City of Belmont
- Pergolas, patios and minor structures | City of Cockburn
- Don't do your own electrical work | Electrical Safety Office Queensland
- Council website asbestos landing page template | Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.