Fence Paling Calculator Australia — Palings, Posts & Rails
Fence dimensions
Standard: 1.5 m or 1.8 m
Paling details
0 mm = butted privacy fence · 5–15 mm = semi-open
Choose a stock length equal to or just above your fence height.
Posts & rails
Minimum 600 mm for a 1.8 m fence. General rule: bury at least ⅓ of total post length.
Fence materials estimate
Palings
Posts
Rails
Concrete (post footings)
This fence paling calculator estimates the number of palings, posts, rails, and concrete bags needed for a standard Australian timber paling fence. Paling counts are calculated from fence length divided by paling pitch (face width plus gap). Post counts use the specified bay spacing plus one post for the end. Rail lineal metres are based on bays multiplied by rails per bay and post spacing. Post footing volumes use a 200 mm diameter cylinder at the specified depth, consistent with standard residential fence construction practice across Australian states. All timber sizes reference standard DAR (dressed all round) sections available from Bunnings and trade timber merchants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are standard fence palings in Australia?
The most common Australian fence paling is 75×19 mm DAR (dressed all round) treated pine, available in 1.8 m lengths to match a standard 1.8 m fence height. The 100×19 mm paling is popular for a more contemporary look with fewer pieces. Both are widely available at Bunnings, Mitre 10, and timber merchants. Hardwood palings (e.g. merbau, treated hardwood) are also available in the same face widths.
How far apart should fence posts be?
The Australian standard for residential paling fences is 1.8 m post spacing centre to centre. This matches standard rail lengths sold at hardware stores. In high-wind zones or on exposed sites, 1.5 m centres are preferred. Steel posts or larger hardwood posts can span to 2.4 m, but this is less common for timber paling fences.
How deep should fence posts be set in Australia?
A general rule is to bury at least one third of the total post length. For a 1.8 m fence you need a post approximately 2.4 m long with 600 mm in the ground. On soft or reactive soils, 700–900 mm is safer. Always set posts in concrete (not just compacted soil) and use post stirrups or post bases where possible to keep timber out of ground contact and prevent rot.
How many rails does a paling fence need?
A fence up to 1.2 m high typically needs 2 rails (top and bottom). A standard 1.5–1.8 m fence should have 3 rails — top, middle, and bottom — to prevent palings from bowing outward over time. Fences over 1.8 m or in high-wind locations should use 4 rails. Rails are typically 75×38 mm or 100×38 mm treated pine.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Australia?
In most Australian states, a boundary fence under 2.0 m does not require a building permit. However, rules vary by council, and dividing fences on shared boundaries are subject to state fencing laws (e.g. the Dividing Fences Act in NSW, QLD, and VIC). Fences adjacent to a road, in bushfire zones, or on sloped sites may have additional requirements. Always check with your local council before construction.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the fence length and height in metres. Height is the above-ground height of the finished fence — typically 1.5 m or 1.8 m for residential privacy fences.
- Select the paling size (75 mm is the most common) and enter the gap between palings. Enter 0 for a butted privacy fence.
- Choose the paling stock length — this should match or slightly exceed your fence height so palings don't need joining.
- Set the post spacing, rail count, and footing depth. 1.8 m post spacing and 3 rails is standard for a 1.8 m fence.
- Click Calculate. Results show paling counts (net and with 10% wastage), post count and length, total rail length, and concrete bags for post footings.
Worked example: A 24 m fence × 1.8 m high with 75 mm palings at 0 mm gap, 1.8 m stock, 1.8 m post spacing, 3 rails, 600 mm footing depth. Palings: ceil(24 ÷ 0.075) = 320. With 10% wastage: 352 palings. Posts: ceil(24 ÷ 1.8) + 1 = 14. Rails: 13 bays × 3 = 39 rails, 70.2 LM. Concrete: 14 × π × 0.1² × 0.6 × 1.1 ÷ 0.010 = 29 × 20 kg bags.
Understanding your results
The paling count shows both the net figure (exact geometry) and the order quantity including 10% wastage. Always order to the higher figure — palings are inexpensive individually, but a second delivery to the hardware store wastes time. The 10% allowance covers end cuts, damaged boards, and any palings with knots or defects you pull from the stack.
The post length shown is the total post length you need to buy — above-ground height plus footing depth. For a 1.8 m fence with 600 mm footings, you need 2.4 m posts. Standard dressed post lengths in Australia are 2.1 m, 2.4 m, 3.0 m, and 3.6 m — order the nearest length above your calculated post length.
Common mistakes: Forgetting that rail lengths must match bay width — standard 1.8 m rails work perfectly with 1.8 m post spacing; cutting rails to fit non-standard bays wastes timber. Not ordering enough palings because you calculated the wrong fence height. And not pre-drilling paling nail holes — splitting palings at the rail nail point is the most common cause of failed paling attachments.
Timber paling fences in Australia — construction guide
The Australian timber paling fence is one of the most common boundary structures in suburban Australia. Done correctly, a paling fence lasts 15–25 years with minimal maintenance. The three most important factors are treated timber, correct post setting, and adequate rails.
Timber treatment: All posts, rails, and palings used in ground-contact or exposed exterior applications must be preservative treated. The minimum treatment class for fence posts set in ground is H4 (or H5 in high-decay-risk areas such as tropical north Queensland). Palings and rails require H3 minimum for above-ground exposure. Using untreated or H2 timber outside — as some budget fencing suppliers sell — leads to premature decay, particularly at ground level and at nail penetrations where moisture is retained.
Post setting: Set posts in rapid-set or general purpose concrete. Allow the concrete to set fully before attaching rails (24–48 hours). Check posts for plumb with a level before the concrete sets — adjusting posts after the concrete hardens is very difficult. The general rule is to bury at least one-third of total post length: for a 1.8 m fence you need a 2.4 m post set 600 mm deep. In soft or reactive soils, use 700–900 mm deep footings.
Rails and palings: Rail size in Australia is typically 75×38 mm or 100×38 mm treated pine. Pre-drill rail ends to prevent splitting at post fixings. Palings should be nailed with two galvanised clout nails at each rail, positioned 15 mm from the paling edge to avoid splitting. A 10–15 mm clearance between the bottom paling edge and ground helps prevent moisture wicking and ground-level decay. Set the top of the palings at a consistent height — use a string line from post to post rather than measuring each paling individually.
Dividing fences and the law: In most Australian states, a dividing fence on a shared boundary is subject to the relevant Dividing Fences Act. Costs are generally split equally between neighbours unless one party wants a more expensive fence. You must give your neighbour written notice before starting fence work unless it is an urgent repair. In some states a VCAT (VIC) or NCAT (NSW) application may be needed if neighbours cannot agree on costs or style.
Australian standards and references
- NCC (National Construction Code) — does not directly regulate residential boundary fences below 2.0 m, but does govern fences forming part of a building (e.g. balustrades).
- Dividing Fences Act (NSW), Fences Act 1968 (VIC), Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act 2011 (QLD) — each state has legislation governing costs, notice, and disputes for dividing fences.
- Local council regulations — maximum fence heights (typically 2.0 m in residential zones), front fence requirements, and setbacks from the road vary by council. Always check before construction.
- AS/NZS 1604.1:2021 — Specification for Preservative Treatment: timber treatment classes H2–H6 for Australian conditions.
- Bunnings / Mitre 10 fencing guides — practical guides for post spacing, rail selection, and standard product sizes available in Australian hardware stores.