Residential paving: pavers, concrete, sub-base and drainage
Australian residential paving: sub-base depths, bedding sand, edge restraints, falls, drainage compliance and council approvals. AS 3727.1:2016 explained.
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Residential paving is governed by AS 3727.1:2016 (verified 2026-05-08) and NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 3.3 for drainage. Sub-base depth is the most under-specified part of residential paving jobs: 100 mm compacted roadbase for driveways, 75 mm for pedestrian areas. Bedding sand sits at 30 mm (uncompacted) over the sub-base. Falls away from the building are mandatory: minimum 1:40 (25 mm per metre) on impermeable surfaces within 1 m of a structure per NCC 2022 Part 3.3 (verified 2026-05-08). Pavers cost $75 to $160/m2 installed; poured concrete $100 to $160/m2 installed (2026). Crossovers across council verge require a permit in every state. The most common defect on residential paving jobs is settling caused by inadequate sub-base compaction or uncontrolled water ingress under the base.
When you do this
Residential paving is typically sequenced after:
- External drainage and stormwater lines are in (paving over drainage is a coring problem later)
- Slab or footing finished and cured (slab edge sets the floor level the paving must drain away from)
- External works like retaining walls, garden edging and fencing are complete or staged so you are not wheeling equipment past finished paving
For new dwellings, paving follows the “lock-up” stage. For renovations and landscaping jobs, paving can be standalone.
Who’s involved
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Builder or landscaper | Project management, base prep supervision, final level and fall check |
| Paving contractor | Sub-base and bedding prep, paver laying, jointing, edge restraints |
| Concreter | Poured concrete option (slab finish, driveway crossover) |
| Hydraulic plumber | Pits, grates, drains connected to stormwater |
| Council | Driveway crossover permit (road reserve / verge section) |
Steps
1. Design and council approval
Check council requirements before ordering materials:
- Driveway crossover (verge): The section crossing council land between the property boundary and road pavement requires a permit in every state. Lodge with council before work starts. Typical turnaround 2 to 6 weeks. Fees vary: bond/security deposit often required (refundable if no damage to public assets).
- NSW exempt development: Driveways, hardstands, paths and paved areas are exempt development if stormwater runoff connects to the existing stormwater drainage system and work meets AS/NZS 2890.1:2004. Total impervious area must not impede overland flow or concentrate runoff onto neighbouring properties (State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, verified 2026-05-08). Check your LEP for any site coverage cap; many councils apply a 60% hard surface limit on residential lots.
- Overland flow paths: Paving must not block or redirect natural overland flow. Council DCP and state stormwater codes apply. In flood-prone areas, check the LEP/DCP flood overlay before designing any fill or impermeable surface.
- Permeable paving: Interlocking permeable concrete pavers may satisfy council stormwater requirements without a formal drainage connection. Check with council before designing permeable systems as the sole stormwater treatment. CMAA PE01 manual covers design.
2. Set out levels
- Establish the finished floor level (FFL) of the slab, step or door threshold. Paving must fall away, not towards, the structure.
- NCC 2022 Part 3.3 minimum fall requirement: 25 mm per metre (1:40) over the first 1 m from the building on reasonably impermeable surfaces (concrete or clay paving) in low rainfall intensity areas (verified 2026-05-08 via ABCB NCC 2022). In higher rainfall areas or where surface drainage is less certain, 50 mm per metre (1:20) applies.
- Slab must sit minimum 50 mm above adjacent paved areas that fall away from the building (NCC 2022 Part 3.3, verified 2026-05-08).
- Fall to drainage pits or swales: minimum 1:100 for sheet drainage on paving surfaces, steeper where possible to prevent ponding.
3. Sub-grade preparation
The sub-grade is the natural ground beneath everything. It must be:
- Stripped of topsoil, organic material, vegetation and roots
- Proof-rolled or tested for soft spots (depressions, fill areas, old services trenches)
- Soft areas cut out and backfilled with compacted roadbase or lean-mix concrete
- Compacted to at least 95% Standard Maximum Dry Density (SMDD) for driveways; 90% SMDD for pedestrian areas
Poor sub-grade preparation is the number one cause of paving settlement. Sites with reactive or expansive soils (Class M, H1, H2 or E per AS 2870) need engineering input before paving is laid.
4. Sub-base layer
Per AS 3727.1:2016 (verified 2026-05-08 via Standards Australia):
| Application | Minimum compacted sub-base depth |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian only (paths, patios) | 75 mm |
| Driveway, vehicles under 3 t GVM | 100 mm |
| Driveway, vehicles 3 to 10 t GVM | 150 mm |
Material: crushed rock roadbase (DGB20 or equivalent), well-graded, free of organic material. Compact in maximum 100 mm lifts. Test compaction (plate test or nuclear density gauge) before laying bedding sand. A single pass of a plate compactor is rarely enough.
5. Bedding sand (segmental pavers only)
For segmental pavers (concrete or clay/brick):
- Sand type: Coarse washed concrete sand (not fine beach sand, not brickies sand). Fine sands migrate under pavers and cause differential settlement.
- Depth: 30 mm uncompacted, which compacts to approximately 25 mm under the paver. Do not exceed 30 mm: thicker beds are unstable and cause rocking. Per AS 3727.1:2016 (verified 2026-05-08).
- Screed: Level the sand to consistent height using screed rails, then remove rails and infill. Do not walk on screeded sand before paving.
- Bedding sand is not glue: It provides uniform bearing support, not adhesion. Edge restraints carry the lateral load.
For poured concrete: no bedding sand. Concrete is poured over sub-base direct with SL72 or SL82 mesh reinforcement per AS 3600.
6. Edge restraints
Edge restraints prevent paver migration and bedding sand loss at the perimeter of any segmental paving area. Required at all free edges, including:
- Perimeter of driveways, paths and patios not abutting a kerb, wall or concrete edge beam
- Any change of paving material or direction
- Expansion joints every 6 m to 8 m in runs exposed to direct sunlight or temperature variation
Types: steel or aluminium edge restraint systems, concrete haunching (minimum 50 mm wide, 100 mm deep), or existing concrete/masonry structures. Plastic snap-in edge restraints are adequate for pedestrian-only paving; driveways need concrete haunching or heavy-duty metal restraint.
Secure restraints at maximum 600 mm centres on any flexible-set paving system (verified from AS 3727.1:2016 scope, CMAA PA01 guidance).
7. Paver laying
Pattern: Herringbone (45-degree or 90-degree) is the highest-interlocking pattern for driveways; basketweave and running bond are adequate for pedestrian areas. For driveways, herringbone is recommended by CMAA to resist vehicle braking forces.
Paver specifications:
| Type | Minimum thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete segmental paver | 60 mm (pedestrian), 80 mm (driveway) | Paths, patios, driveways |
| Clay/fired brick paver | 50 mm (pedestrian), 65 mm (driveway) | Paths, patios, driveways |
| Natural stone (granite, travertine, limestone) | 20 mm to 30 mm (pedestrian only) | Patios, pool surrounds |
| Concrete slab (cast in situ) | 75 mm (pedestrian), 100 mm (light vehicle) | Driveways, hardstands |
Brisbane City Council requires minimum 40 mm paver thickness for driveways as part of their crossover technical standard (verified 2026-05-08 via Brisbane City Council). Other councils vary.
Joints: 2 mm to 5 mm joint width for concrete segmental pavers. Fill with fine kiln-dried sand after laying; compact pavers with a plate compactor fitted with a rubber pad. Recheck levels after first compaction pass.
8. Drainage connections
- Surface water from paved areas must discharge to a lawful point: kerb and gutter, stormwater drainage easement, or absorption trench (where soil and council permit it). Do not direct runoff onto neighbouring properties.
- AS/NZS 3500.3:2025 governs stormwater drainage systems. Work on the stormwater drainage system (beyond surface grading) is licensed plumbing work in all states (verified 2026-05-08 via VBA).
- Slot drains and grated pits within paved areas must be designed to handle the design rainfall intensity for the site. Check council DCP or a hydraulic engineer for larger impervious areas.
Tolerances and acceptance
Per current HIA Guide to Materials and Workmanship and relevant state Guides to Standards and Tolerances. Verified numerical values pending HIA member access.
| Defect | Indicative tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surface regularity (paved areas) | [HIA-064] | Typically assessed under a 3 m straightedge |
| Individual paver level difference (lipping) | [HIA-065] | Lipping between adjacent pavers is a trip hazard |
| Cross-fall deviation from design | [HIA-066] | Critical where falls drain to pits or away from structures |
| Joint width variation | 2 mm to 5 mm for concrete segmental pavers | AS 3727.1:2016 guidance |
Documents needed
- Council crossover/driveway permit application (verge section)
- Site drainage plan (show falls, pits, legal point of discharge)
- Sub-base compaction test results (plate test or NDG) for driveways
- Paver product data sheet (confirming thickness and application class)
- Plumber/drainer licence details if stormwater work involved
Common holds
| Issue | Risk |
|---|---|
| Crossover permit not lodged before start | Council stop-work; reinstatement at your cost |
| Sub-grade not compacted or tested | Settlement within 6 to 12 months; paver pop-out and lipping |
| Bedding sand too thick (over 30 mm) | Paver rocking, uneven surface, joint failure |
| Insufficient fall away from building | Water ingress under slab edge; NCC 2022 Part 3.3 non-compliance |
| No edge restraints at free perimeter | Paver creep, bedding sand washout, trip hazards |
| Sand in joints not swept and compacted | Joint failure, weed growth, sand migration |
| Stormwater not connected to lawful point | Council enforcement; neighbour dispute |
| Overland flow path blocked | Flooding liability; council enforcement |
References
- AS 3727.1:2016 Pavements Part 1: Residential, Standards Australia (verified 2026-05-08)
- NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 3.3, Site drainage, ABCB (verified 2026-05-08)
- AS/NZS 3500.3:2025 Plumbing and Drainage, Part 3: Stormwater drainage, Standards Australia / VBA summary (verified 2026-05-08)
- CMAA PA02 Concrete Segmental Pavements Design Guide, Concrete Masonry Association of Australia (verified 2026-05-08)
- Brisbane City Council Driveway Technical Standards (verified 2026-05-08)
- NSW Planning Portal: Driveways, Pathways and Paving (Exempt Development), NSW DPHI (verified 2026-05-08)
Related
- Earthworks: cut and fill on residential sites
- Slab on ground construction
- Residential decks
- Retaining walls: residential
- NCC 2022 Volume Two overview
- Falls (glossary)
- Compaction (glossary)
See also
- Crossover (glossary)
- Bedding sand (glossary)
- Edge restraint (glossary)
- Sub-base (glossary)
- Overland flow (glossary)
- Compaction (glossary)
- Hardstand (glossary)
- Roadbase (glossary)
- Wet area membranes
- Cement sheet
Last updated: 2026-05-08. Verified: 2026-05-08. Quarterly review for currency.