How Much Does a Colorbond Fence Cost in Australia? (2026 Prices)

A Colorbond fence in Australia typically costs $75–$120 per linear metre installed. A standard 1.8 m high backyard fence usually runs about $3,000–$6,000 depending on length, site access and gates. Ground conditions, fence height and removal of the old fence are the main variables.

How much does a Colorbond fence cost?

• Colorbond fence, supply and install: $75–$120 per linear metre
• Standard 1.8 m backyard (typical job): $3,000–$6,000
• Single gate: $300–$600
• Double/driveway gate: $600–$1,200
• Old fence removal and disposal: $20–$40 per linear metre

Colorbond fence cost per metre by height

Price per linear metre climbs with height because the panels, posts and footings all get bigger. Here is a supply-and-install guide by the heights fencers quote most, including the 2.1 m Colorbond fence price people search for when they need extra privacy or a pool-adjacent boundary.

Height	Installed cost per metre	Typical use
1.2 m	$75–$88	Low front fence, garden edge
1.5 m	$80–$96	Side fence, courtyard
1.8 m	$92–$110	Standard backyard boundary
2.1 m	$104–$120	Extra privacy, pool boundary, corner blocks

A 2.1 m Colorbond fence costs more mainly because of deeper posts and footings (councils often require extra engineering or setbacks over 1.8 m on a boundary), plus more sheet per metre. Budget at the top of the range if you're going above standard height.

Standard Colorbond colours (Woodland Grey, Monument, Surfmist, Shale Grey and similar) are included in the per-metre price above. Matte finishes and less common colours can add a small premium, usually 5–10% on materials, because the panels have to be special-ordered rather than picked up from stock.

How many metres of fencing do you need?

Measure the full run, not just the visible boundary — corner posts, gate openings and any step-downs for slope all still count toward total metres. Most quotes are priced per linear metre of fence line, with gates costed separately as a fixed item rather than folded into the per-metre rate. A typical suburban block needs 25–45 m of new fencing to do the full backyard (both side boundaries plus the rear), which is where the $3,000–$6,000 "standard backyard" figure comes from.

Supply-only vs supplied-and-installed

Most fencers quote supply-and-install as one price, but it helps to know the split if you're comparing quotes or supplying materials yourself:

• Materials only (Colorbond sheeting, posts, rails, fixings): roughly $35–$55 per metre, depending on height and profile.
• Installation labour: roughly $40–$65 per metre, more on rocky or sloping ground.
• Supplied and installed total: $75–$120 per metre, matching the table above.

DIY supply-only can save 30–40% of the total, but most councils and manufacturers want posts set to a minimum depth and spacing to hold warranty — get this in writing if you're installing yourself and only buying materials from a fencer or supplier.

Aluminium fence cost vs Colorbond

Aluminium fencing (also spelled "aluminum fencing" in searches) is the other common boundary option, usually as slat or pool-style panels. It is not cheaper than Colorbond — expect to pay more.

Fence type	Installed cost per metre
Colorbond, 1.8 m	$92–$110
Aluminium slat, 1.8 m	$150–$240
Aluminium pool fence panel, 1.2 m (compliant)	$180–$280

Aluminium slat fencing costs 50–100% more than Colorbond per metre because the material and powder-coating cost more and installation is more fiddly (individual slats or panels rather than sheet infill). It's chosen for its look and airflow, not for saving money. If budget is the priority, Colorbond wins; if you want a screening look with gaps for airflow or a premium finish, aluminium is the trade-off.

Lifespan is similar for both if properly installed — Colorbond typically carries a 10–15 year manufacturer warranty on the sheeting and aluminium panels often longer again, since aluminium doesn't rust. In coastal or high-salt areas, aluminium and marine-grade Colorbond both hold up better than untreated steel; ask your fencer to confirm the product is rated for your zone, especially within a few hundred metres of the coast. Maintenance is low for both — an occasional hose-down is usually all that's needed, unlike timber which needs periodic staining or replacement of rotted palings.

What affects the price

• Ground conditions: rock or reactive clay makes post holes slower and more expensive — expect $10–$25 extra per metre if a jackhammer or auger with rock teeth is needed.
• Fence height: 2.1 m and lapped-and-capped panels cost more than standard 1.8 m, as shown above.
• Slope: sloping boundaries need stepped or raked panels, adding 10–20% labour.
• Old fence removal: taking out and disposing of an old fence adds $20–$40 per linear metre, more if it's asbestos-era fibro that needs licensed removal.
• Gates and access: number of gates and tight side access (no truck access, everything carried through the house) affect the total.
• Colour choice: standard Colorbond colours are included in most quotes; premium or matte finishes can add a small percentage.
• Bushfire zone (BAL rating): properties in a designated bushfire-prone area sometimes need specific fixings or a bushfire-rated product near the house, which can add to the quote.
• Council permits: most Colorbond fences under 2 m don't need a permit, but front fences, retaining combinations and anything over 2 m may — check with your local council before work starts.

Worked example: 20 m boundary fence

A typical quote for a 20 m side boundary, 1.8 m high, replacing an old timber fence, might break down like this:

• Remove and dispose of old timber fence (20 m x $25): $500
• Supply and install 1.8 m Colorbond fence (20 m x $95): $1,900
• Single access gate: $450
• Total (ex. GST): $2,850
• Total (inc. 10% GST): $3,135

This sits comfortably inside the $3,000–$6,000 "standard backyard" range once you account for a full perimeter (front, back and both sides) rather than a single boundary run — a full backyard job usually covers 30–50 m of fencing rather than just one 20 m line.

Boundary fences: splitting the cost with a neighbour

For a shared dividing fence, the general convention across most Australian states is a 50/50 split for a "sufficient" standard fence (typically a standard-height timber or Colorbond fence), but the exact rules sit under each state's own dividing fences legislation (for example the Dividing Fences Act in NSW and Queensland, the Fences Act in Victoria). If you want anything above the standard — a taller fence, a premium colour, or a retaining component — you can still ask your neighbour to split the standard-fence cost while you cover the upgrade yourself. Always get a written agreement (even an email) before work starts, and check your state's process if a neighbour won't cooperate — most states have a formal notice process for dividing fences.

Get two or three written quotes before approaching your neighbour, so the cost-sharing conversation is based on an actual price rather than a guess. It also makes the split easier to agree on if both of you have seen the same itemised breakdown.

How to get an accurate fencing quote

Ask for the quote to state the height, linear metres, number of gates, and whether old-fence removal and rock digging are included. A fencer using Insta Quotes can measure the run and send an itemised, professional quote on the spot — usually before the other quotes even arrive.

Related guides

• How to Quote a Fencing Job: Australian Fencer's Pricing Guide
• Fence Cost in New Zealand
• How to Price a Job as a Tradie
• How to Write a Trade Quote in Australia

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