Why surfacing matters most
Most serious playground injuries are caused by falls onto hard ground. Compliant softfall surfacing absorbs that impact, and under AS 4422 it must be matched to the equipment's critical fall height so it keeps the Head Injury Criterion at 1000 or below. Get the surface right and you've addressed the biggest risk on site.
Your options at a glance
There's no single 'best' surface — each balances cost, feel, accessibility and upkeep differently. Explore each in detail:
| Surface | Rate per m² | Accessibility | Lifespan | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified mulch or sand | About $60 | Limited — loose material, not a firm surface | Topped up every 1–2 years, fully replaced ~5–7 years | Regular raking and topping up to hold compliant depth |
| Synthetic turf on shock pad | About $110 | Fully accessible — firm and level | 10–15 years | Low — occasional brushing and rinsing, no topping up |
| Wet-pour rubber | About $160 | Fully accessible — seamless, no joins | 10–15 years | Very low — hose down as needed |
Indicative, ex GST, supplied and installed on a prepared site. Reviewed September 2026.
Matching the surface to the fall height
Depth and thickness aren't arbitrary — they're driven by how far a child could fall. Loose-fill materials like mulch and sand are typically installed at 300mm or more, compacted, and need topping up over time as they displace and break down. Wet-pour rubber is laid thicker as the fall height increases, with the exact build-up determined by impact testing.
| Surface | How depth relates to fall height | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Certified mulch or sand | 300mm+ loose-fill, depth set by fall height | The lowest-cost way to meet AS 4422 across a large fall zone |
| Synthetic turf on shock pad | Turf plus shock pad, pad thickness set by fall height | All-weather green space that doubles as a play surface |
| Wet-pour rubber | Engineered build-up, thickness set by critical fall height | Custom colours, patterns and logos poured into the surface |
Indicative, ex GST, supplied and installed on a prepared site. Reviewed September 2026.
Cost vs maintenance
Loose-fill surfaces are cheaper to install but carry an ongoing maintenance task — raking, decompacting and topping up to maintain compliant depth. Wet-pour and turf cost more upfront but ask very little of you afterwards. Over a playground's life, the 'cheapest' option isn't always the lowest total cost, so it's worth weighing both.
Accessibility & drainage
If inclusive access matters to you, firm surfaces like wet-pour and turf allow prams and wheelchairs right up to and through the playground, whereas loose-fill is harder to traverse. Whatever you choose, proper base preparation, drainage and edging are what keep a surface performing — and looking good — for years. We'll specify the right surface for your equipment, site and budget as part of your design.
Sources
Surfacing depth and impact attenuation are governed by AS 4422 and AS 4685. For background on the standards themselves: