A well-planned backyard can transform how you use your home. Whether you are laying fresh turf, building garden beds, or doing a complete backyard overhaul, knowing what landscaping costs in Australia before you call a landscaper helps you set a realistic budget. The average landscaping cost sits between $50 and $150 per square metre, though that range shifts depending on what you want done and where you live. With over 3,000 licensed landscapers listed on TradieVerify across QLD and NSW alone, comparing quotes from qualified professionals is the smartest first step.
This guide covers every common landscaping job, from basic turf laying through to full backyard makeovers, with real Australian pricing for 2025-2026.
Landscaping Cost: The Short Answer
Most homeowners spend between $10,000 and $25,000 on a mid-range landscaping project. A simple garden tidy-up with turf might cost $2,000 to $5,000, while a full backyard transformation with paving, garden beds, irrigation and outdoor living areas can push past $50,000. Here is how three common budget tiers compare for a typical suburban backyard (80-120 m2).
| Budget Tier | Total Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2,000-$8,000 | Garden clean-up, new turf, basic planting, mulch and edging. Suits a tidy-up of an existing yard. |
| Mid-range | $10,000-$25,000 | New turf area, paved entertaining space, garden beds with plants, basic irrigation, garden lighting. A solid upgrade for most backyards. |
| Premium | $30,000-$60,000+ | Full backyard redesign with professional landscape design, quality paving or decking, feature planting, automated irrigation, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchen area. |
A basic project assumes straightforward access and minimal site preparation. Mid-range includes standard excavation, soil improvement, and a mix of hard and soft landscaping. Premium projects involve professional design fees, quality materials, and specialist features.
Landscaping Cost Per Square Metre
The per-square-metre rate varies widely depending on the type of work. Here is a breakdown of common landscaping services with installed costs across Australia.
| Landscaping Service | Cost Per m2 (Installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf supply and lay | $25-$50 | Includes soil prep, turf rolls, and laying. Couch and kikuyu at the lower end, buffalo and zoysia at the higher end. |
| Garden bed creation | $80-$200 | Includes edging, soil, mulch, and plants. Cost depends heavily on plant selection. |
| Paving (concrete pavers) | $50-$120 | Standard concrete pavers on compacted sand base. Includes cutting and jointing. |
| Paving (natural stone) | $100-$250 | Sandstone, bluestone, or granite. Higher material cost plus more labour for cutting and laying. |
| Artificial turf | $75-$130 | Supply and install on prepared base. Quality ranges from $30 to $80 per m2 for the turf alone. |
| Mulching | $15-$35 | Supply and spread. Hardwood chip at the lower end, decorative pebble at the higher end. |
| Gravel or crushed rock | $25-$60 | Supply, spread, and compact. Includes weed matting underneath. |
| Decking (timber) | $200-$500 | Merbau or spotted gum on timber frame. Composite decking sits at the higher end. |
These rates assume reasonable site access. If your backyard is only reachable through the house or down a steep slope, expect to add 15-30% for manual handling and extra labour time.
Garden Design Fees
Professional landscape design is a separate cost from the construction work. A qualified landscape designer creates detailed plans showing plant placement, hardscape layout, drainage, and lighting. Costs depend on your yard size and the level of detail you need.
| Design Service | Cost Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Concept plan only | $500-$1,500 | Scaled drawing showing layout, zones, and planting areas. Enough for a confident DIYer or to brief a landscaper. |
| Detailed design | $2,000-$5,000 | Full construction drawings, planting schedule, materials list, and lighting plan. Suitable for quoting and council submissions. |
| Full design + project management | $4,000-$10,000+ | Everything above plus plant sourcing, contractor coordination, and site supervision during construction. |
Some landscapers offer free basic design as part of a larger project quote. This can save money, though an independent designer has no bias toward particular products or approaches. For projects over $20,000, paying for professional design usually saves more than it costs by avoiding expensive mistakes and rework.
Turf Laying Costs
Turf is one of the most common landscaping jobs in Australia. The total cost of turf supply and installation depends on the grass variety, area size, and how much preparation your soil needs.
| Turf Variety | Supply Cost (per m2) | Installed Cost (per m2) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couch (e.g., TifTuf) | $8-$15 | $25-$35 | Full sun, high traffic, low water use |
| Buffalo (e.g., Sir Walter) | $12-$20 | $30-$45 | Shade tolerance, soft underfoot, family yards |
| Kikuyu | $7-$12 | $20-$30 | Large areas, fast growth, budget option |
| Zoysia (e.g., Empire) | $12-$18 | $30-$45 | Low maintenance, slow growth, neat appearance |
A typical 100 m2 lawn costs $2,500 to $4,500 fully installed, including old lawn removal, soil preparation, levelling, and turf laying. Soil preparation is the step many people underestimate. Compacted clay or sandy soil may need 50-100 mm of quality underlay soil at $50-$80 per cubic metre delivered.
Paving and Hardscaping Costs
Paving creates entertaining areas, pathways, and driveways. Material choice is the biggest cost driver.
| Paving Type | Cost Per m2 (Installed) | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete pavers | $50-$120 | 25-30 years | Driveways, patios, paths. Wide range of colours and patterns. |
| Natural sandstone | $120-$250 | 50+ years | Premium entertaining areas, pool surrounds. Popular in Sydney and QLD. |
| Bluestone | $130-$280 | 50+ years | Heritage homes, formal gardens. Common in Melbourne and VIC. |
| Exposed aggregate concrete | $80-$150 | 30+ years | Driveways, large areas. Low maintenance, non-slip finish. |
| Porcelain pavers | $100-$200 | 30+ years | Modern look, pool areas. Stain-resistant and low maintenance. |
| Clay brick | $80-$140 | 50+ years | Traditional gardens, heritage areas. Warm, classic appearance. |
A typical 30 m2 outdoor entertaining area costs $2,400 to $6,000 with concrete pavers, or $4,500 to $9,000 with natural stone. Add $40-$80 per lineal metre for concrete edging or border courses.
Garden Bed and Planting Costs
Creating new garden beds involves edging, soil improvement, plants, and mulch. Costs vary enormously depending on plant selection.
| Component | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden edging (steel) | $30-$60 per lineal metre | Installed. Corten steel and powder-coated options at the higher end. |
| Garden edging (timber) | $15-$35 per lineal metre | Treated pine or hardwood sleepers. |
| Quality garden soil | $50-$80 per m3 delivered | Blended soil mix for garden beds. Budget 150-200 mm depth. |
| Mulch | $60-$90 per m3 delivered | Hardwood chip or pine bark. Budget 75-100 mm depth. |
| Small shrubs/groundcovers | $8-$25 per plant | 140 mm to 200 mm pot size. Native plants are often cheaper. |
| Medium shrubs | $25-$60 per plant | 200 mm to 300 mm pot size. |
| Feature trees | $80-$500+ per tree | Depends on species and size. Advanced trees (2 m+) cost more. |
A typical 20 m2 garden bed with steel edging, quality soil, a mix of native shrubs, and mulch costs $2,000 to $4,500 installed. Using Australian native plants like grevilleas, lomandras, and westringias keeps costs down and reduces long-term watering needs.
Irrigation System Costs
An irrigation system protects your landscaping investment and saves water compared to hand watering. Most council water restrictions across Australia allow drip irrigation and automated systems with rain sensors.
| Irrigation Type | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic drip irrigation (garden beds) | $500-$1,500 | Small to medium gardens. Targets water at plant roots. |
| Pop-up sprinkler system (lawn) | $1,500-$4,000 | Turf areas. Automated zones with a controller. |
| Full system (drip + sprinklers) | $2,500-$6,000 | Whole yard. Separate zones for lawn, garden beds, and pots. |
| Smart controller upgrade | $200-$600 | Wi-Fi enabled, adjusts watering based on weather forecasts. |
Installation costs depend on the number of zones, pipe runs, and whether the plumber needs to tap into existing water lines. Most residential systems need 4-8 zones. A licensed plumber is required for the connection to your water supply. Budget $150-$300 for the plumbing connection on top of the irrigation install.
Adding a rain sensor ($50-$100 installed) is mandatory in some council areas and a smart investment everywhere. It prevents your system watering during rain and can cut water bills by 20-30%.
Full Backyard Makeover Costs
A complete backyard renovation brings together all the elements above. Here is what a full makeover typically costs for three common yard sizes.
| Yard Size | Basic Makeover | Mid-Range Makeover | Premium Makeover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (50-80 m2) | $5,000-$12,000 | $12,000-$25,000 | $25,000-$45,000 |
| Medium (80-150 m2) | $10,000-$20,000 | $20,000-$40,000 | $40,000-$70,000 |
| Large (150-300 m2) | $15,000-$30,000 | $30,000-$60,000 | $60,000-$100,000+ |
A mid-range makeover for a medium suburban backyard typically includes: landscape design ($2,000-$4,000), site clearing and earthworks ($1,500-$4,000), paved entertaining area of 25-30 m2 ($3,000-$6,000), new turf of 50-60 m2 ($2,000-$3,500), garden beds with planting ($2,500-$5,000), irrigation ($2,000-$4,000), garden lighting ($1,000-$3,000), and a timber or retaining wall if needed ($3,000-$10,000).
What Affects Landscaping Cost
Several factors push your landscaping costs up or down beyond the base rates listed above.
Site access is a big one. If materials can be delivered and machinery can reach your backyard directly, costs stay lower. Rear-access-only yards where everything goes through the house or over a fence add 15-30% to labour costs.
Slope and drainage affect earthworks costs. A flat block needs minimal site preparation, while a sloping block may need retaining walls, cut-and-fill earthworks, and engineered drainage. Retaining walls alone can add $5,000 to $20,000 depending on height and material. See our retaining wall cost guide for detailed pricing.
Soil condition matters for planting and turf. Heavy clay or sandy soil needs amendment with gypsum, comite, or imported topsoil. Budget $500 to $2,000 for soil improvement on a typical yard.
Location affects both labour rates and material delivery costs. Metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne have higher labour rates ($60-$100/hour) compared to regional areas ($50-$70/hour). Remote areas face significant delivery surcharges on materials.
Fencing often goes hand-in-hand with landscaping. If your existing fence needs replacing, doing it at the same time as landscaping is more cost-effective than tackling them separately.
How to Save on Landscaping Costs
You do not need to blow the budget to get a good result. Here are practical ways to reduce your landscaping costs without cutting corners on quality.
Stage your project. Do the hardscaping (paving, retaining walls, edging) first, then add turf and planting in a second stage. This spreads the cost and lets you live with the layout before committing to plant placement.
Choose native plants. Australian natives like grevilleas, callistemons, and lomandras are cheaper to buy, need less water, and require less ongoing maintenance than exotic species. They also attract native birds and pollinators.
Do the labouring yourself. Many landscapers will quote a lower price if you handle demolition, clearing, and rubbish removal yourself. Digging out old garden beds or removing an old lawn saves on labour hours.
Get at least three quotes. Prices vary significantly between landscapers. Use TradieVerify to find licensed landscapers in your area and compare quotes side by side. Make sure each quote covers the same scope so you are comparing like with like.
Time it right. Autumn and early winter are quieter periods for landscapers. You may get better pricing and faster scheduling compared to the busy spring and summer months. Turf also establishes better with autumn planting in most parts of Australia.
Landscaper Hourly Rates by State
Landscaper hourly rates vary across Australia. These rates are for qualified landscapers doing general landscaping work, not specialist tasks like irrigation plumbing or structural retaining walls.
| State | Hourly Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $60-$100/hr | Sydney metro at the higher end. 1,023 licensed landscapers on TradieVerify. |
| QLD | $55-$85/hr | South-east QLD higher than regional. 2,076 licensed landscapers on TradieVerify. |
| VIC | $60-$95/hr | Melbourne metro at the higher end. |
| WA | $55-$90/hr | Perth metro rates comparable to eastern states. |
| SA | $50-$80/hr | Generally lower than eastern state capitals. |
| TAS | $50-$75/hr | Lower cost of living reflected in rates. |
| ACT | $60-$90/hr | Canberra rates similar to Sydney suburbs. |
| NT | $60-$100/hr | Higher rates reflect remoteness and smaller trade pool. |
Most landscapers quote by the project rather than by the hour. Hourly rates are more common for smaller jobs, maintenance work, or variations during a larger project. Always ask for a fixed-price quote for defined scopes of work.
Licensing and Regulations
Landscaping licensing varies by state. In Queensland, landscapers doing structural work (retaining walls over 1 metre, drainage work) need a QBCC licence. In NSW, work over $5,000 requires a Fair Trading licence. Other states have different thresholds.
| State | Regulator | Licence Required? |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | QBCC | Yes, for structural landscaping and work over $3,300 |
| NSW | Fair Trading | Yes, for work valued over $5,000 |
| VIC | VBA | Registration required for some structural work |
| WA | DEMIRS | Yes, for building work components |
| SA | CBS | Yes, for building work components over $12,000 |
| TAS | CBOS | Yes, for building work components |
| ACT | Access Canberra | Yes, for work over $12,000 |
| NT | NT BAS | Yes, for structural building work |
Even where a licence is not strictly required for garden-only work, hiring a licensed landscaper gives you consumer protections, access to dispute resolution, and confidence that the tradesperson carries appropriate insurance. You can verify a landscaper’s licence on TradieVerify by searching our directory.
For a full breakdown of what to check before hiring, read our guide on how to hire a licensed landscaper in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to landscape a small backyard?
A small backyard (50-80 m2) typically costs $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the scope. A basic tidy-up with new turf and garden beds starts around $5,000, while a full makeover with paving, planting, and irrigation can reach $25,000 or more. Get quotes from licensed landscapers in your area to get an accurate price for your specific yard.
Is it worth paying for a landscape designer?
For projects over $15,000, professional design almost always pays for itself. A good designer helps you avoid costly mistakes, makes the most of your space, and creates a plan that can be staged over time. Design fees typically run 5-10% of the total project cost. For smaller projects, many landscapers include a basic plan as part of their quoting process.
What is the cheapest type of landscaping?
Turf laying and mulched garden beds are the most affordable landscaping options. Kikuyu turf at $20-$30 per m2 installed is the cheapest lawn option, and native garden beds with mulch start around $80 per m2. Doing some of the labouring yourself (clearing, demolition, mulch spreading) can reduce costs further.
How long does a landscaping project take?
A basic turf and garden bed job takes 2-5 days. A mid-range backyard makeover with paving and planting takes 2-4 weeks. A full premium renovation can take 4-8 weeks, especially if it includes retaining walls, irrigation, and outdoor structures. Weather delays are common, so build some buffer into your timeline.
Do I need council approval for landscaping?
Most standard landscaping (turf, garden beds, paving at ground level) does not need council approval. However, retaining walls over a certain height (typically 600 mm to 1 metre depending on your council), structures like pergolas or sheds, and changes to drainage or stormwater flow may require a development application or building permit. Your landscaper should advise on what needs approval.
When is the best time to landscape in Australia?
Autumn (March to May) is the best time for most landscaping work in Australia. The soil is still warm enough for plant roots to establish, rain is more reliable, and you avoid the heat stress of summer. Turf in particular establishes well with autumn planting. Landscapers are also less busy in autumn and winter, so you may get better pricing and faster scheduling.
Key Takeaways
- Average landscaping cost in Australia ranges from $50 to $150 per square metre, depending on the type of work
- A mid-range backyard makeover for a typical suburban yard costs $10,000 to $25,000
- Turf laying is the most affordable option at $25-$50 per m2 installed
- Professional landscape design ($500-$5,000) pays for itself on projects over $15,000
- Irrigation systems ($2,500-$6,000) protect your investment and save water long-term
- Native plants reduce both upfront costs and ongoing maintenance
- Always get at least three quotes from licensed landscapers. Search for landscapers on TradieVerify to compare qualified professionals in your area
- Check our guides on retaining wall costs and fencing costs if your project includes these elements
Sources
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) - Landscaping licence requirements - https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au
- NSW Fair Trading - Home building licence requirements - https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
- Housing Industry Association (HIA) - Residential building costs data - https://hia.com.au
- Nursery and Garden Industry Australia - Plant pricing and availability - https://www.ngia.com.au
- Turf Australia - Turf varieties and pricing guide - https://www.turfaustralia.com.au
- Master Landscapers of South Australia - Industry standards and pricing - https://www.landscapingsa.com.au
- ServiceTasker - Landscaping cost data Australia 2025 - https://servicetasker.com.au