When it comes to most outdoor landscaping projects, most Australians either opt for concrete or pavers. Both look great, are highly durable, and can really amp up property value — but beyond that, they’re on two very different tracks.
In this guide, we’ll compare concrete vs pavers across ten key criteria, from cost and durability to drainage, safety, and maintenance, and pick a clear winner in each. By the end, you’ll know exactly which surface suits your project best. Let’s get into it.
How your outdoor space looks can make all the difference, and your materials should give you the freedom to get creative.
With pavers, there’s no shortage of options. You can choose from dozens of colours, sizes, and textures, lay them in different patterns, and match them with retaining walls or garden edging for a seamless look for your exterior.
Concrete can be customised too, with stamping or colouring — but it takes more work, and the design flexibility still can’t quite match what you get with pavers.
Winner: Pavers — easier to personalise and better suited for custom designs.
Concrete is cheaper upfront, especially for large plain areas — starting around $6 per square foot. But add stamping or colouring, and costs rise quickly. Repairs can also get expensive, often needing full slab replacement if cracks appear.
Pavers cost more to install — typically $4 to $9 per square foot depending on the material — but they’re easier to maintain. If one cracks or shifts, you can replace just that section. They also tend to last longer, saving money over time.
Winner: Pavers — more upfront, but lower maintenance and repair costs down the line.
Outdoor surfaces cop a lot — foot traffic, cars, shifting soil, and changing weather. Cracks showing up after just a few years? No thanks.
Pavers are designed to handle pressure over time as they can flex with the ground instead of cracking. And if one breaks, you can simply swap it out with another paver. Natural stone options like Travertine are especially tough and water-resistant.
Concrete is solid to start with, but it’s rigid. It doesn’t cope well with movement or temperature swings and often cracks. Repairs are costly, usually visible, and sometimes mean replacing the whole slab.
Winner: Pavers — built to last, and far easier to fix if anything goes wrong.
Pavers and concrete are both best suited to flat, stable ground. Each option needs a properly compacted base, which usually means the site must be excavated and levelled before installation.
If the ground is sloped or uneven, extra preparation will be needed to create a stable foundation, which can increase labour and material costs. Without that solid base, both surfaces are more likely to shift, settle, or crack over time.
Winner: Tie — both require a level, well-prepared base to perform well long-term.
Sun, rain, and shifting temperatures can all take a toll on outdoor surfaces — especially in Australia’s hotter regions.
Concrete absorbs and holds heat, which might be useful in cooler climates but can make the surface uncomfortably hot in summer. It also tends to fade or crack with constant weather exposure unless sealed regularly.
Pavers, especially natural stone options like Travertine, stay cooler underfoot and handle weather extremes better. Their jointed design also helps with drainage, reducing puddles and surface stress.
Winner: Pavers — cooler in the heat, better with water, and more weather-resistant overall.
Drainage matters — especially in areas with heavy rain. Poor runoff can cause puddles, erosion, or water flowing toward your home.
Concrete relies on proper slope to drain water. If it’s not laid perfectly, water pools or runs where it shouldn’t. Once saturated, it has nowhere to go.
Pavers naturally allow water to drain through the gaps between them. Permeable options and porous stones like Travertine handle rain even better, letting water soak into the ground below.
Winner: Pavers — better drainage and fewer water issues overall.
Concrete starts off low-maintenance, but cracks, stains, and fading can creep in over time — especially without sealing. Fixing damage often means patching or resurfacing large areas, which rarely blends in well.
Pavers might need some joint re-sanding or sealing now and then, but they’re much easier to maintain long-term. If one gets damaged, you just replace it — no major work needed.
Winner: Pavers — quicker, cleaner, and cheaper to maintain.
8. Safety & Slip Resistance
One of the biggest concerns with any outdoor surface is safety — especially around pools, patios, and high-traffic areas. No one wants to risk a fall, particularly when kids or older family members are involved.
Pavers are designed with non-slip textures, giving you better grip underfoot even when wet. They also allow water to drain through the joints, which helps prevent puddles and slippery surfaces.
Concrete, especially when stamped or sealed, can get slick when wet. While anti-slip sealants can help, they wear down over time and need reapplying — making maintenance a factor in long-term safety.
Winner: Pavers — better grip, better drainage, and fewer slip risks in wet areas.
Installing concrete is generally faster, but it’s a bigger commitment. Once poured, it takes several days to cure, and repairs later down the line can be messy or expensive. The job also requires steel reinforcement, precise levelling, and proper drainage grading — making DIY installs tricky.
Pavers take more time upfront, especially for proper excavation and levelling. But the process is more flexible — you lay each paver by hand over compacted sand, and you can walk on it immediately after. Plus, you won’t need to tear it all up if one section ever needs fixing.
Winner: Pavers — slightly more labour upfront, but easier to install, fix, and manage long-term.
Small paving jobs like patios or garden paths usually don’t need council approval. Driveways might — especially if they cross a footpath — but in many cases, they fall under exempt development rules.
Concrete is less DIY-friendly and more likely to trigger permit requirements. Some councils, like Brisbane and the ACT, require formal approval for new or modified driveways to ensure compliance with slope, drainage, and surface standards.
Winner: Pavers — easier to DIY and less red tape in most cases.
Out of tene key categories, pavers come out on top in nine, beating concrete apart from land sustainability (which was a tie). Concrete may win on speed and upfront price, but pavers offer more flexibility, fewer headaches, and better performance across the board.
So if you’re looking for a surface that looks great, lasts longer, and handles whatever the weather (or your car) throws at it — pavers are the smarter choice.
If you’ve decided pavers are the right choice, we’re here to help. At PavingSupplies, we deliver quality pavers across Australia in a wide range of styles, sizes, and finishes — including natural stone, concrete, and more.
Need help choosing the right product for your project? Whether it’s a driveway, patio, or pool area, our team can point you in the right direction.
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