How much does a pergola cost in Australia? (2026 guide)
BeforeOpen Timber PergolaA 6 × 4.5 m pergola in Australia costs from about $9,500 to $11,000 for an open timber pergola in WA or SA to about $32,000 to $37,500 for an adjustable louvre pergola in NSW. Fixed aluminium slat pergolas and freestanding pavilions sit in between.
All prices here are indicative installed ranges for 2026, including GST. Your style, your state and your site decide where you land, and a site measure sets the final figure.
Pergola cost by style and city
Here is how the four main pergola styles compare for a 6 × 4.5 m (27 m²) attached structure:
| Style | Perth (WA) | Melbourne (VIC) | Brisbane (QLD) | Sydney (NSW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Timber Pergola | $9,500 to $11,000 | $10,000 to $11,500 | $10,000 to $12,000 | $11,000 to $12,500 |
| Fixed Aluminium Slat Pergola | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,000 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $15,000 to $18,000 |
| Pyramid Roof Pavilion (freestanding) | $20,000 to $23,500 | $21,000 to $24,500 | $21,500 to $25,000 | $23,000 to $27,000 |
| Adjustable Louvre Pergola | $28,000 to $33,000 | $29,500 to $34,500 | $30,000 to $35,500 | $32,000 to $37,500 |
Per square metre, that works out to roughly $430 to $590 for timber, $610 to $830 for aluminium slats, $740 to $1,030 for a pavilion and $1,220 to $1,690 for a louvre roof, depending on the state. For every style in every state, see our full patio cost guide.
Pergola or patio: what is the difference?
The difference is the roof. The City of Belmont in WA describes a pergola as an open-framed structure with a water-permeable covering or an operable louvred roof, and a patio as a structure with a roof that water cannot pass through. The City of Cockburn puts it simply: a pergola with an impervious roof is classed as a patio.
That matters for cost and approval. Add a solid Colorbond or polycarbonate roof to a pergola frame and, in council terms, you have built a patio. Our patio vs pergola guide covers the choice in more detail.
Timber pergola cost
An open timber pergola is the classic Australian backyard shade structure, and the cheapest pergola to build. For a 6 × 4.5 m pergola, expect about $9,500 to $11,000 in WA, $10,000 to $11,500 in Victoria and $11,000 to $12,500 in NSW.
Smaller sizes cost less in total:
- 3 × 3 m: about $6,500 to $7,500 in WA.
- 5 × 4 m: about $7,000 to $8,000 in WA.
- 6 × 4.5 m: about $9,500 to $11,000 in WA.
Things to weigh up:
- Shade, not shelter: an open roof gives filtered shade but lets rain through.
- Upkeep: timber needs regular oiling, staining or painting to keep it looking good.
- Add-ons: shade cloth, climbing plants or a polycarbonate roof can be added later, but a solid roof may turn it into a patio for approval purposes.
See the timber pergola style page for photos and options.
BeforeOpen Timber PergolaAluminium pergola cost
A fixed aluminium slat pergola uses powder-coated aluminium beams and angled slats. The slats block a good share of direct sun while keeping the open, airy feel of a pergola. A 6 × 4.5 m slat pergola is about $13,000 to $15,500 in WA and $14,000 to $16,500 in Queensland.
Aluminium costs more than timber up front. In return, you skip the oiling and staining that timber needs. The slats are fixed, so like timber, they will not keep the rain out. Our guide to timber vs aluminium pergolas compares the two over time.
Louvre pergola cost
An adjustable louvre pergola has a roof of blades that rotate. Open them for sun and breeze, or close them to shed rain. It is the most expensive pergola style by a wide margin: about $28,000 to $33,000 in WA and $32,000 to $37,500 in NSW for 6 × 4.5 m.
Motors, rain sensors, lighting and the size of each span all push the price around. Our louvre roof cost guide breaks those down.
Pavilion and gazebo cost
A pyramid roof pavilion is a freestanding structure with a pitched, four-sided roof. It suits a pool area, a spa or an outdoor kitchen away from the house. Expect about $20,000 to $23,500 in WA and $21,000 to $24,500 in Victoria for 6 × 4.5 m.
Because it stands alone, it needs posts and footings on every corner. With a solid roof, councils usually treat it as a patio, so check the setback rules. See the pavilion style page for examples.
What else adds to the cost of a pergola?
Beyond the style, these items move the price:
- Size and span: wider spans may need bigger beams or extra posts.
- Height: connecting to a double-storey house or a high fascia needs taller posts.
- Footings and ground: sloping, rocky or sandy sites can change the footing design.
- Bushfire rules: in NSW, an exempt pergola on bushfire prone land that is less than 5 m from the house must be non-combustible, which can rule out timber.
- Lighting and fans: in Queensland, the Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is illegal, so allow for a licensed electrician.
- Blinds and screens: side blinds turn a pergola or alfresco area into a more sheltered outdoor room.
Council approval for a pergola
Approval rules depend on your council and state. In WA, the City of Belmont says a pergola attached to a house can be exempt if it is under 20 m² and no higher than 2.4 m. The City of Cockburn requires a permit for a pergola over 20 m² or over 2.4 m high.
In NSW, a pergola can be exempt development only if it is no more than 25 m², no more than 3 m high and meets the setback and other conditions. A 6 × 4.5 m pergola is 27 m², so in both examples it would need approval. Our council approval guide explains the process.
How to get an exact pergola price
Indicative ranges help you set a budget. A written quote after a site measure gives you the real number. Ask each installer to list the footings, approvals, engineering, electrical work and any removal of an old structure.
To see a timber, slat, louvre or pavilion pergola on your own house first, try Backyard Mate. One photo, four quick questions and about 30 seconds later you have the design on your home and an indicative price for your state.
Common questions
How much does a timber pergola cost?
An open timber pergola of 6 × 4.5 m is about $9,500 to $11,000 installed in WA and SA, and about $11,000 to $12,500 in NSW. A small 3 × 3 m timber pergola in WA is about $6,500 to $7,500.
How much does an aluminium pergola cost?
A fixed aluminium slat pergola of 6 × 4.5 m is about $13,000 to $15,500 in WA and about $14,000 to $16,000 in Victoria. Aluminium costs more than timber up front but does not need oiling or staining.
How much does a louvre pergola cost?
An adjustable louvre pergola of 6 × 4.5 m is about $28,000 to $33,000 in WA and about $32,000 to $37,500 in NSW. It is the most expensive pergola style because the roof blades open, close and shed rain.
Is a pergola cheaper than a patio?
An open timber pergola usually costs a little less than a basic flat Colorbond patio: $9,500 to $11,000 against $11,500 to $13,500 in WA, because it has no roof sheeting. Slat and louvre pergolas cost more than most patios.
Do I need council approval for a pergola?
Often, yes, once it is a decent size. In WA, the City of Cockburn requires a building permit for a pergola over 20 m² or over 2.4 m high. In NSW, exempt development is capped at 25 m² per structure, with other conditions.
Keep reading
Sources
- Patios, Pergolas & Shade Sails (in Residential Areas) | City of Belmont
- Pergolas, patios and minor structures | City of Cockburn
- Balconies, Decks and Patios | NSW Planning Portal
- Don't do your own electrical work | Electrical Safety Office Queensland
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.