Fencing price guide

How much does fencing cost?

Most fences in Australia cost around $100–$200 per metre supplied and installed for a 1.8 m Colorbond or treated pine paling fence. A typical 30 m back fence in Colorbond comes to about $3,600–$6,000, often split with your neighbour. Hardwood, aluminium slat and glass pool fencing cost more, and removing the old fence can add to the price.

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Typical price per metre $100–$200 Colorbond or treated pine paling, about 1.8 m high, supplied and installed. Removing the old fence may be extra.

Minimum job $500–$900 Short runs and repairs often hit a minimum charge, because set-up and travel cost the same.

What common fencer jobs cost

Job	Typical price	Notes
Treated pine paling fence, 1.8 m (per metre)	$100–$180
Colorbond fence, 1.8 m (per metre)	$120–$200	Removing the old fence is often extra
Hardwood lapped and capped fence (per metre)	$150–$250
Aluminium slat or privacy screen fence (per metre)	$250–$500
Aluminium pool fence (per metre)	$150–$300	Must meet pool barrier rules
Glass pool fence (per metre)	$350–$800	Semi-frameless at the low end, frameless at the top
Single pedestrian gate, supplied and hung	$400–$900
30 m Colorbond back fence	$3,600–$6,000	Often split with the neighbour

Indicative prices for typical Australian homes, including GST. A guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 3 October 2026.

What drives the price

Fencing is quoted per metre, and that number moves with the material, the height, the ground and what’s already there.

Material. Treated pine paling is the cheapest solid fence, with Colorbond close behind. Hardwood, aluminium slat, rendered masonry and glass all cost a lot more per metre.

Length and height. Longer runs bring the price per metre down, while a short run often hits a minimum charge. Taller fences need more material and deeper, stronger posts.

The site. Slopes need stepped panels or plinths. Rock, tree roots and old footings make post holes slow, and a narrow side path means carrying every sheet and post in by hand.

The old fence. Pulling out and disposing of the old fence is often a separate line. A fibro fence from before about 1990 may contain asbestos, and removing it is a job for a licensed asbestos removalist.

Gates and extras. Gates, lattice toppers, plinths and post caps each add to the bill.

Getting a fair quote

Ask for a per-metre price that names the height, the material, the posts, the footings, removal and disposal of the old fence, and any gates. If you’re sharing the cost of a boundary fence, a written quote is also what you attach to the formal notice you give your neighbour, so get it itemised.

Pool fencing has to meet the Australian Standard for pool barriers and your state’s pool safety laws, so check the fencer knows the rules and ask what certificate or inspection you’ll need. Depending on your state and the value of the job, a fencer may also need a building licence; check it on our licence checks page.

One written quote from a vetted local, compared with the ranges here, is enough to know whether a price is fair. needatradie matches you with one fencer whose licence, insurance, ABN and reviews we’ve already checked.

Fencer or someone else?

If the fence sits on a retaining wall, the wall comes first, and that’s a job for a landscaper or builder. Brick piers and rendered front fences suit a bricklayer, and an automated driveway gate needs an electrician to run the power. For a new driveway or path along the fence line, talk to a concreter before the fence goes up, so the levels work together.

Fencing prices by city

City	What to expect
Sydney	Top of the national range, and sloping blocks often need stepped panels or plinths that push up the price per metre.
Melbourne	Close to Sydney on price; timber paling is still common on older blocks, while Colorbond is the usual pick in newer estates.
Brisbane	Mid-range, with Colorbond and treated pine both common, and steel or treated posts worth asking about where termites are active.
Perth	Mid-range; Colorbond and limestone are both common boundary choices, and limestone walls cost considerably more per metre.
Adelaide	Usually a little under the east coast; steel panel fencing, which many locals call Good Neighbour after the Stratco range, is a common backyard choice.
Gold Coast	Similar to Brisbane, with plenty of glass and aluminium pool fencing that has to meet Queensland's pool safety rules.
Newcastle	Often a touch under Sydney prices; near the coast, ask about steel finishes and fixings rated for salt air.
Canberra	At the higher end, similar to Sydney, and front fences face stricter planning rules than back fences in many ACT suburbs, so check before you build one.

Fencing costs: common questions

Does my neighbour have to pay for half the fence?

Generally, yes. Every state and territory has a dividing fences law under which neighbours share the cost of a standard fence on the boundary. You usually need to give your neighbour written notice first, describing the fence and the cost. If you want something fancier than standard, you normally pay the difference. If you can't agree, mediation and then a tribunal or court can decide.

How much does a 30 metre fence cost?

For 30 m of 1.8 m fencing, treated pine paling typically comes to around $3,000 to $5,400 and Colorbond around $3,600 to $6,000, supplied and installed. Hardwood runs roughly $4,500 to $7,500, and aluminium slat $7,500 or more. Removing the old fence, gates, slopes and digging through rock all add to it, and your neighbour may pay half.

What is the cheapest type of fence?

Treated pine paling is usually the cheapest solid fence per metre, with Colorbond close behind. Pine needs more upkeep and won't last as long, while Colorbond needs little maintenance and won't rot or feed termites. If you don't need privacy, chain wire is cheaper again. Hardwood, aluminium slat and masonry fences sit at the top of the range.

Do I need council approval for a fence?

Standard side and back boundary fences up to about 1.8 to 2 metres usually don't need approval, but the limits and exceptions vary by state and council. Front fences, fences on corner blocks, in heritage or bushfire areas, or on top of retaining walls often have extra rules, and pool fences must meet pool safety laws. Check with your council before you build.

How much does a fencer charge per hour?

Most fencers price by the metre or by the job rather than by the hour, because posts, concrete and panels make up much of the cost. For repairs, some charge an hourly rate plus materials, but expect a minimum charge of a few hundred dollars for a short visit. A per-metre quote that includes removal and disposal is the easiest to compare.

What is the best time of year to install a fence?

Fences can go in year-round, but dry weather makes digging post holes and setting concrete easier, and wet clay can hold a job up. Spring and summer are busy as people get their yards ready for the warmer months, so book a few weeks ahead. If you're splitting the cost, leave time to give your neighbour formal notice first.

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