Updated October 2026· Independently researched·8 min read
Most landscaping jobs in Canberra cost $5,500–$16,500
for a basic backyard makeover
That covers turf, garden beds, basic paving, and planting for a standard Canberra backyard. Hourly rates run $61–$120/hr. Full landscape designs for new homes start from $16,500 and can exceed $66,000.
+4.0%Landscaping costs in Canberra are up around 4.0% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in October 2026.Year on year
Average Landscaping Cost in Canberra
$88
per hour for standard residential work
Natural turf — supply & lay
$16–$44/sqm
Synthetic turf — supply & install
$55–$130/sqm
Retaining wall
$165–$550/sqm
Budget $61/hrAverage $88/hrPremium $120/hr
A basic backyard makeover in Canberra, with fresh turf, a couple of planted beds and some simple paving, comes to $5,500–$16,500 in our table, and $11,000 is a typical spend. Landscaping a new house from bare dirt is a much larger job at $16,500–$66,000. For a smaller tidy-up paid by the hour, a landscaper charges $61–$120. Gardens here have to get through hot, dry summer afternoons and hard winter frosts, so the choice of plants and how they are watered matter as much as the paving, and the ACT has standing rules on when sprinklers may run.
Landscaping cost in Canberra (2026): per m² prices, budget makeovers and what a quote should include
Landscaping in Canberra is priced by the elements in the design, so the per-square-metre rates are the way to cost a garden: natural turf supplied and laid is $16–$44 per m², synthetic turf $55–$130/m² and paving $66–$175/m². As whole jobs, a basic backyard makeover is $5,500–$16,500 ($11,000 typical) and a full landscape for a new home $16,500–$66,000.
Job
Low
Typical
High
Natural turf — supply & lay
$16/m²
$31
$44
Synthetic turf — supply & install
$55/m²
$82
$130
Paving / pavers
$66/m²
$110
$175
Retaining wall (timber sleeper)
$165/m²
$330
$550
Retaining wall (concrete sleeper)
$275/m²
$495
$770
Irrigation system (automatic, multi-zone, front & back)
$2,750
$4,400
$6,600
Basic backyard makeover
$5,500
$11,000
$16,500
Full landscape (new home)
$16,500
$44,000
$66,000
Affordable landscaping in Canberra: softscape is the cheap part and hardscape the dear part. Turf at $16–$44/m² and garden beds cost a fraction of paving ($66–$175/m²) or retaining walls, so a budget makeover leans on lawn, planting and mulch with a small paved area. Doing the job in stages works well: levels, drainage and irrigation ($2,750–$6,600) first, then turf and planting, then paving and features when the budget allows.
Landscape design: a design plan from a landscape designer is quoted separately from the build; many landscapers include a simple layout in a construction quote. A plan is worth paying for when the job involves levels, retaining walls or drainage, because those are the parts that are expensive to redo.
What a landscaping quote in Canberra should include:
Site preparation: clearing, removal of old turf or paving, and disposal of the spoil.
Hardscape by area: paving, retaining walls, edging and steps, each with square metres or lineal metres stated.
Softscape: turf type and area, garden beds, soil and mulch volumes, and the plant list.
Services: irrigation, drainage and any lighting, with what is connected to what.
Exclusions: access for machinery, council approval for walls or structures, and how long the plants are guaranteed.
With the elements itemised, Canberra landscaping quotes compare line by line instead of on a single headline number.
What Affects Landscaping Costs in Canberra
What it costs per square metre
Landscaping is mostly priced by area. Natural turf is $16–$44 a square metre laid, synthetic turf $55–$130, and a new garden bed with soil preparation, edging, plants and mulch $55–$200. Paving, which Canberra searches ask about often, is $66–$175, with natural stone near the top of that band. Measure each area and you can rough out a budget yourself.
Frosty nights, hot days
At Canberra Airport the average July overnight low is -0.1 °C, while January afternoons average 28.0 °C (BOM averages), and the city sits in NCC climate zone 7. Every plant has to survive both ends of that range, so ask the designer for frost-hardy species, natives among them. A thick layer of mulch, $9–$26 a square metre spread, insulates roots in winter and holds moisture in summer.
ACT watering rules
The ACT's Permanent Water Conservation Measures limit sprinklers and irrigation, drip systems included, to the hours between 6pm and 9am through spring, summer and autumn (1 September to 31 May). A hose fitted with a trigger nozzle may be used at any hour. A timer handles the hours: a single-zone drip system for beds is $880–$2,425, and an automatic multi-zone system front and back $2,750–$6,600.
Protected trees
In Canberra a tree on private land is protected if it is 8 metres or taller, has a canopy 8 metres or wider, or has a trunk at least 1 metre around, measured 1.4 metres above the ground. Removing one needs ACT Government approval through a tree activity application, so check before a design depends on it, and ask how the crew will keep a bobcat ($99–$175) clear of its roots.
Driveways and the verge
Laying a new driveway, changing an existing one or adding a second needs ACT City Services approval. The part between your boundary and the road is Territory land, yet its design, construction and upkeep fall to the leaseholder. If a paving quote takes pavers ($66–$175) out to the kerb, the driveway approval is a separate step from the landscaper's price, so ask who will lodge it.
Townhouse courtyards
Separate houses make up 63.2% of dwellings in the ACT against 72.3% nationally, and semi-detached homes (17.2%) and flats (19.4%) account for the rest (ABS 2021 Census). A courtyard is small, but soil, pavers and turf may have to come through the house or a narrow gate, which adds labour. The design band runs from $880 to $5,500, so ask whether a simple planting plan will do for a compact space.
How to Save Money on Landscaping Cost in Canberra
1
Program any new irrigation timer to water only between 6pm and 9am from September to May, so the system stays within the ACT watering rules from day one.
2
Plant in autumn or spring rather than at the height of summer, when afternoons at Canberra Airport average 28.0 °C (BOM averages) and new turf struggles to take.
3
Before a design removes a large tree, check whether it is protected and allow time for a tree activity application.
4
Ask for paving, turf and garden beds as separate square-metre lines on the quote, so you can scale back one area if the total runs over.
5
If the budget is tight, stage it: paving and other hard landscaping first while machines are on site, then turf and plants once they have gone.
6
Check whether the price includes lifting the old lawn and carting away green waste, which costs $130–$350 a load if it is extra.
Canberra Landscaping Costs by Area
New suburbs (Gungahlin, Molonglo, Whitlam) — $8,000–$25,000. New homes need complete landscaping from scratch. Flat blocks keep costs down. Builders often include only basic turf and a few plants — most homeowners invest in proper landscaping within the first 1–2 years.
Established suburbs (Woden, Belconnen, Tuggeranong) — $5,500–$20,000. Garden renovations and updates. Mature trees provide structure but may need arborist work before landscaping begins.
Inner suburbs (Griffith, Deakin, Red Hill) — $15,000–$50,000+. Larger blocks, mature gardens, and higher expectations push costs up. Heritage considerations may affect front garden changes. Premium materials and detailed planting plans are common.
Acreage/rural fringe (Hall, Pialligo, Tharwa) — $10,000–$40,000. Larger areas to cover but lower per-metre costs. Native and drought-tolerant plantings keep ongoing maintenance manageable. Fire-safe landscaping is important in bushfire-prone areas.
Before you commit — compare your options
Side-by-side guides covering the decisions that most change your final landscaping cost.
Frequently Asked Questions — Landscaping Cost in Canberra
What are typical landscaping costs in Canberra?
From our Canberra table: $61–$120 an hour for the hourly rate (typically $88); $5,500–$16,500 for a basic backyard makeover (typically $11,000); $16,500–$66,000 for a full landscape for a new home (typically $44,000).
What is the cheapest way to landscape a backyard in Canberra?
Lean on softscape: turf at $16–$44/m², planting and mulch cost far less than paving or walls. Do it in stages (levels, drainage and irrigation first at $2,750–$6,600, then turf and plants, then paving). A basic makeover in Canberra starts from $5,500.
How much should I pay per square metre for landscaping in Canberra?
Canberra figures: natural turf $16–$44 a square metre; paving $66–$175 a square metre; a garden bed with plants and mulch $55–$200 a square metre.
How much does a landscaper charge per hour in Canberra?
Landscapers in Canberra typically charge $61–$120 per hour. However, most landscaping work is quoted as a fixed project price rather than hourly.
How much does a backyard makeover cost in Canberra?
A basic backyard makeover in Canberra costs $5,500–$16,500, covering turf, garden beds, mulch, and simple hardscaping. Full landscape transformations run $16,500–$66,000+.
How much does turf cost to supply and lay in Canberra?
Natural turf supply and installation in Canberra costs $16–$44/sqm. Synthetic turf is $55–$130/sqm — more expensive upfront but zero maintenance.
What does paving cost in Canberra?
In our Canberra table, paving runs $66–$175 a square metre, and $110 is typical.
What do landscapers charge for a garden bed with plants and mulch in Canberra?
For a garden bed with plants and mulch, our Canberra table shows $55–$200 a square metre, with a typical price of $110.
What do timber and concrete sleeper retaining walls cost in Canberra?
In our Canberra table the figures are $165–$550 a square metre for a timber sleeper retaining wall (typically $330) and $275–$770 a square metre for a concrete sleeper retaining wall (typically $495).
What does hardwood decking cost in Canberra?
In our Canberra table, hardwood decking runs $330–$660 a square metre, and $550 is typical.
How much should I pay for an irrigation system in Canberra?
Our Canberra prices for an irrigation system start at $2,750 and reach $6,600, with $4,400 typical.
What plants work best in Canberra gardens?
Canberra's cold winters (down to -7°C) limit plant choices. Hardy natives like correas, westringias, and native grasses thrive. Deciduous trees (ornamental pears, Japanese maples) are popular for seasonal colour. Frost-tender plants need protected positions. Canberra's autumn colour is spectacular — plan for it with deciduous plantings.
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →
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