The short answer
For a primary school, plan on roughly $60,000-$120,000 for a multi-activity play system delivered and installed. Smaller early-years or nature-play projects start lower; whole-school upgrades and multi-playground programs go well above. Every figure on this page is ex GST and indicative. The only accurate number is a fixed-price quote for your site.
| Project type | Delivered cost range |
|---|---|
| Single freestanding pieces (equipment only) | about $2,000–$10,000 |
| Toddler / early-years space | about $30,000–$60,000 delivered |
| Primary-school multi-activity system | about $60,000–$120,000 delivered |
| Council / destination playground | from about $120,000 — large feature playgrounds regularly exceed $500,000 |
Indicative, ex GST, whole-project scope. Reviewed September 2026.
What Queensland schools have actually paid
The Queensland Department of Education publishes a list of completed school playground projects with their costs. These are third-party, whole-project numbers and a useful reality check on any quote you receive.
| School | Cost | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Prospect Creek SS | $25,000 | Nature playground (school-delivered) |
| Jambin SS | $39,000 | Nature playground (school-delivered) |
| Wowan SS | $61,400 | New Kindy–Year 2 playground |
| Taranganba SS | $67,500 | Middle-years playground upgrade |
| Denison SS | $73,200 | Rubber softfall replacement only — no equipment |
| Emerald SS | $76,000 | New upper-school playground |
| Bororen SS | $90,700 | Create early-years playground |
| Mackay North SS | $116,700 | Upgrade junior playground |
| Biloela SS | $180,000 | Replace senior playground |
| Ambrose SS | $190,300 | Upgrade playground (QBuild-delivered) |
| Emu Park SS | $219,000 | Equipment repairs across three playgrounds |
| Thangool SS | $293,000 | Prep–Year 6 playground (PM: GHD) |
| St Lawrence SS | $451,700 | Playground upgrade (QBuild / Play Poles) |
| Homebush SS | $480,900 | Adventure playground + hard shade structure |
| Marian SS | $570,900 | Three playgrounds, Prep–Year 6 (PM: RP Infrastructure) |
Source: Queensland Department of Education, "Playgrounds Examples". Ex GST. Median of the 15 projects: $116,700.
Why the numbers vary so much
All figures ex GST, published by the Department of Education. These are whole-project costs — design, siting approval, demolition and disposal of the old equipment, drainage and landscaping, compliant softfall, shade and certification — not equipment prices. Denison State School is the one to look at: $73,200 for rubber softfall alone, with no equipment in it at all.
When you compare quotes, check that each one covers the same things: equipment, compliant softfall to the fall height (AS 4422), site preparation and drainage, delivery, installation and independent certification. A low price that leaves out softfall or site works is a different product, not a bargain.
Cost per square metre
Cost per square metre is a sanity check, not a quote. Bigger sites spread fixed costs (crew mobilisation, freight, certification) further, so the rate usually falls as the project grows.
| Project scale | Typical budget | Typical play area | Cost per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler / early-years play space | $10,000–$25,000 | 30–60 m² | $165–$835 |
| Primary-school multi-activity system | $60,000–$120,000 | 80–200 m² | $300–$1,500 |
| Council / destination playground | $100,000–$300,000 | 250–800 m² | $125–$1,200 |
Indicative, ex GST, whole-project scope. Reviewed September 2026.
Softfall is a cost line of its own
Surfacing is priced per square metre of fall zone, not per piece of equipment, and on a large area it can rival the equipment cost.
| Surface | Rate per m² |
|---|---|
| Certified mulch or sand | About $60 |
| Synthetic turf on shock pad | About $110 |
| Wet-pour rubber | About $160 |
Indicative, ex GST, supplied and installed on a prepared site. Reviewed September 2026.
How many quotes does a school need?
For Queensland state schools, the Department's playground supply guide sets a minimum number of written quotes by project value. Most school playgrounds land in the $50,001-$250,000 band.
| Project value | Written quotes required |
|---|---|
| Up to $10,000 | 1 written quote |
| $10,001 – $50,000 | 2 written quotes |
| $50,001 – $250,000 | 3 written quotes |
| $250,001 – $500,000 | 4 written quotes |
| Over $500,001 | Contact Procurement first |
Source: Queensland Department of Education, DET 86552 PQP user guide. Check the current guide before you go to market.
Ways to stretch a school budget
- Design the full playground, then build in stages as P&C funds or grants allow
- Use certified loose-fill softfall where it suits the site and spend the saving on play value
- Choose one connected play system over many separate pieces; it shares a single fall zone
- Look at the in-stock Quick Supply range when timing is tight
- Check state and federal grant rounds before you finalise the budget
Sources
Delivered-project bands are Kidzspace's published indicative ranges, reviewed September 2026. Third-party figures are from the Queensland Department of Education publications named in each table caption.