Fuel Surcharge Increase by Australian Concrete Suppliers

planned

Two of Australia's biggest concrete suppliers, Heidelberg Materials and Holcim, will double fuel surcharges on May 1, 2026, leading to increased construction costs for home builders. This price increase is part of a broader inflation trend in building materials, with inflation rates for new houses and renovations expected to reach close to 6% by September 2026. The fuel surcharge increase raises the cost for a concrete slab for a new home by about $400. The cost of materials represents about 50% of the total cost of building a home, with significant price rises also seen in plastic pipes and other building supplies.