Landscaping Cost Australia 2026
Landscaping costs range from simple turf and garden beds to full outdoor transformations with hardscaping, irrigation, and feature planting.
| City | Typical range | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $5,750–$17,250 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Melbourne | $4,500–$13,500 | ↑ +3.9% |
| Brisbane | $5,000–$15,000 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Perth | $5,250–$15,750 | ↑ +3.5% |
| Adelaide | $4,600–$13,800 | ↑ +4.6% |
| Gold Coast | $4,900–$14,700 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Canberra | $5,500–$16,500 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Hobart | $4,500–$13,500 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Darwin | $5,000–$15,000 | ↑ +4.0% |
| Newcastle | $4,750–$14,250 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Geelong | $4,650–$13,950 | ↑ +3.9% |
| Sunshine Coast | $4,850–$14,550 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Townsville | $5,400–$16,200 | ↑ +4.2% |
| Wollongong | $5,400–$16,200 | ↑ +4.1% |
| Byron Bay | $5,250–$15,750 | ↑ +4.1% |
Choose Your City
National Pricing Overview
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaper (hourly rate) | $55/hr | $80 | $110 |
| Garden design / plan | $800per plan | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Natural turf — supply & lay | $15/sqm | $28 | $40 |
| Synthetic turf — supply & install | $50/sqm | $75 | $120 |
| Retaining wall (timber sleeper) | $150/sqm | $300 | $500 |
| Retaining wall (concrete sleeper) | $250/sqm | $450 | $700 |
| Garden bed, new (soil prep, edging, plants + mulch) | $50/sqm | $100 | $180 |
| Irrigation system (automatic, multi-zone, front & back) | $2,500total | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Paving / pavers | $60/sqm | $100 | $160 |
| Decking (hardwood) | $300/sqm | $500 | $600 |
| Basic backyard makeover | $5,000total | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Full landscape (new home) | $15,000total | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Irrigation — drip system, single zone for garden beds (incl. tap timer) | $800total | $1,400 | $2,200 |
| Bobcat or mini excavator with operator (per hour) | $90/hr | $110 | $160 |
| Green waste removal (one trailer or ute load) | $120total | $190 | $320 |
| Mulch, supplied and spread (per sqm, about 75 mm) | $8/sqm | $14 | $24 |
| Garden soil / topsoil, supplied and delivered (per cubic metre) | $70per cubic metre | $100 | $150 |
How landscaping prices compare across 15 cities, the $55–$110 hourly band against every other trade and how they move month to month: Tradie Price Index, October 2026 →
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Landscaping in Australia costs $55–$110 per hour for a landscaper, or $5,000–$15,000 for a basic backyard makeover including turf, garden beds, and simple hardscaping. Full landscape packages for new homes run $15,000–$60,000 depending on scope and materials.
We've compiled pricing from landscapers across Australia as of October 2026. All prices include GST.
Landscaping Costs by Project Type
Landscaping covers everything from laying turf to full outdoor transformations. Costs vary enormously based on scope — here's what the most common residential landscaping projects cost in Australia:
| Project | Cost Range | Typical Area |
|---|---|---|
| Turf supply and lay | $1,500–$8,000 | 100–200m² front/back yard |
| Garden bed installation | $500–$5,400 | 10–30m² with plants and mulch |
| Paving / patio | $1,200–$8,000 | 20–50m² outdoor area |
| Retaining wall (timber sleepers) | $150–$500 per m² | Depends on height and length |
| Basic backyard makeover | $5,000–$15,000 | Turf, garden beds, basic paving |
| Mid-range landscape design | $15,000–$40,000 | Full design, hardscaping, planting, irrigation |
| Premium outdoor living | $40,000–$100,000+ | Outdoor kitchen, fire pit, water feature, lighting |
| Irrigation system (automatic, multi-zone, front & back) | $2,500–$6,000 | Full yard automated system |
| Artificial turf | $2,500–$12,000 | 50–100m² (supply + install) |
| Tree planting (mature specimen) | $300–$2,000 per tree | 2–5m height |
The biggest cost variable in landscaping is the ratio of soft landscaping (turf, plants, mulch) to hard landscaping (paving, retaining walls, structures). Soft landscaping costs $50–$80 per m² on average, while hardscaping runs $100–$300+ per m². A 200m² backyard with 60% turf and 40% paving will cost roughly $6,600–$17,600 for the turf and paving.
Landscaper Rates: Hourly vs Project Quotes
Landscapers typically quote per project rather than hourly, but understanding the underlying rates helps you assess whether a quote is fair:
| Pricing Component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Labourer rate | $50–$80/hr | General garden work, digging, mulching |
| Qualified landscaper rate | $55–$110/hr | Design, hardscaping, project management |
| Bobcat / mini excavator | $90–$160/hr | Earthworks, site levelling |
| Landscape design fee | $800–$5,000 | 2D/3D design for medium–large projects |
| Green waste removal | $120–$320 a trailer load | Skip bin or trailer loads |
| Soil and fill delivery | $70–$150 per m³ | Topsoil, garden mix, road base |
For projects over $10,000, always get a detailed written scope that specifies plant species, material brands, and quantities. "Supply turf" without specifying the variety (Sir Walter vs Kikuyu vs Couch) leaves room for substitution with cheaper alternatives.
Backyard makeover cost in Australia (2026): per m² prices, a basic makeover vs a full landscape
A basic backyard makeover in Australia costs $5,000–$15,000, with $10,000 typical: turf, garden beds and a modest paved area on a yard that keeps its levels. A full landscape for a new home, built from bare ground, is $15,000–$60,000 ($40,000 typical). Where a makeover lands in that range comes down to how much of the yard is paved or walled rather than planted, which the per-m² rates below show.
Landscaping in Australia 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 $15–$40 per m², synthetic turf $50–$120/m² and paving $60–$160/m². As whole jobs, a basic backyard makeover is $5,000–$15,000 ($10,000 typical) and a full landscape for a new home $15,000–$60,000.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural turf — supply & lay | $15/m² | $28 | $40 |
| Synthetic turf — supply & install | $50/m² | $75 | $120 |
| Paving / pavers | $60/m² | $100 | $160 |
| Retaining wall (timber sleeper) | $150/m² | $300 | $500 |
| Retaining wall (concrete sleeper) | $250/m² | $450 | $700 |
| Irrigation system (automatic, multi-zone, front & back) | $2,500 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Basic backyard makeover | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Full landscape (new home) | $15,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
Affordable landscaping in Australia: softscape is the cheap part and hardscape the dear part. Turf at $15–$40/m² and garden beds cost a fraction of paving ($60–$160/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 ($2,500–$6,000) 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 (what a plan costs and what it includes is on garden design and planning cost); 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 Australia 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, Australia landscaping quotes compare line by line instead of on a single headline number.
These are national bands; each city prices from its own rates. See landscaping cost in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth for the local figures.
What Affects Landscaping Costs in Australia
Scope of work
A simple turf and garden bed job in Australia ($5,000–$15,000) is very different to a full landscape with retaining walls, decking, and irrigation ($15,000–$60,000). Define your scope clearly before getting quotes.
Hardscaping vs softscaping
Hardscaping (paving at $60–$160/sqm, decking at $300–$600/sqm) costs more than softscaping (turf at $15–$40/sqm, plants, mulch) in Australia. Most projects combine both.
Site conditions
Sloping blocks, rocky soil, poor drainage, and limited access in Australia all increase costs. A flat, accessible block is the cheapest to landscape.
Plant & material selection
Native and drought-tolerant plants suit Australia's climate and are cheaper long-term (less water, less maintenance). Premium materials like natural stone paving cost more than basic options.
Irrigation
An irrigation system ($2,500–$6,000 in Australia) adds cost upfront but saves water and time long-term. Essential for large lawns or garden beds.
Design fees
A professional landscape design ($800–$5,000 in Australia) isn't mandatory but helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures a cohesive result, especially for larger projects.
How to Save Money on Landscaping Cost in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions — Landscaping Cost in Australia
About This Guide
Our landscaping cost guides cover 14 major Australian cities with location-adjusted pricing. Updated monthly — last reviewed October 2026.
Four deep-dives on landscaping cost
