Landscaping Cost in Australia: What You'll Actually Pay

About This Guide LocalAgentFinder has connected Australian homeowners with experienced real estate agents since 2007. This guide breaks down real landscaping costs across every major job type, so you can budget with confidence before you dig — or before you list. Compare local agents who know what garden features actually add value in your suburb.

Landscaping can transform a property's kerb appeal and add tens of thousands to its sale value — but the same job quoted by two different landscapers can differ by 50% or more. This guide covers what landscaping costs in Australia across every major job type (fencing, paving, decking, lawns, sheds, excavation, design), the material costs behind each, and the five factors that actually move the price up or down.

Costs in this guide are based on research at the time of publication and should be used as a guide only. Always get at least three written quotes before committing to landscaping work.

Before you invest in landscaping, know your property's baseline value. Get a free property value estimate — a one-minute check that grounds every renovation decision.

How much does landscaping cost in Australia?

Landscaping in Australia typically costs between $5,000 and $30,000+ for a residential property, depending on the size of the area, the materials chosen, and whether you're doing a light refresh or a full transformation. A small front-yard makeover with a new lawn, a few plantings, and a pathway sits in the lower range. Multi-level terraced gardens with retaining walls, decking, water features, and irrigation systems easily exceed $50,000.

There's no single "landscaping cost per square metre" because the activities involved vary widely. The most useful number is a total budget based on the specific jobs you're planning, which the sections below break down.

Labour rates range from $20 per hour for basic gardening to $300+ per hour for complex landscape architecture and specialised trades.

How much do individual landscaping jobs cost?

Costs vary by material choice more than by anything else. The ranges below cover the standard residential jobs.

How much does it cost to fence a garden?

Fencing is priced per metre, and material choice is the biggest cost driver.

• Budget: $75 per metre for pine paling or hardwood paling
• Mid-range: $400–$600 per metre for iron, brick, or frameless glass
• Premium: up to $1,000 per metre for sandstone or premium timber

Fence cost also depends on ground levelling and demolition of any existing fence, which most quotes exclude by default. Ask what's included.

How much does it cost to pave a garden?

Paving typically costs $50 to $100 per square metre for materials, plus a concrete base underneath that runs $1,500 to $3,000 depending on area size. Levelling costs add on top if the ground isn't flat.

Material-only prices per square metre:

• Concrete: $50–$60
• Limestone: $40–$70
• Quartz: $40–$80
• Brick: $70–$90

How much does it cost to install a lawn?

Instant turf (rolled lawn) costs around $25 per square metre, giving you a ready lawn in a day. Grass seed costs a fraction of this — around $150 to establish a 100m² lawn — but takes weeks to grow and needs consistent watering.

Instant turf is worth the premium if you're preparing to sell within three months. For any longer timeframe, seed pays back several times over.

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How much does a garden shed cost to install?

A garden shed installation involves several line items:

• Concrete footings: $500+ (supports the base)
• Concrete base: approximately $85 per m²
• Construction: approximately $60 per m²
• Council fees: vary by state and shed size — some require approval, some don't

Total cost for a standard 3×3m shed typically lands between $1,500 and $4,000 including the shed itself, base, and installation.

How much does decking cost?

Decking runs $200 to $1,000 per square metre, depending on timber type and complexity of the build. Balustrades add extra:

• Timber and wiring balustrade: $150–$200 per metre
• Glass balustrade: approximately $400 per metre

Council approval is often required if the deck is above a certain size or height off the ground. Confirm with your local council before quoting the job.

How much does garden excavation cost?

Excavation labour is around $100 per hour, but total cost varies by six factors:

• Size of the area
• Type of earth (soil vs rock)
• Number of trees to be removed
• Grading requirements
• Access to the site
• Machinery attachments required for the job

Difficult access (narrow side yards, hilly blocks, no vehicle access) can double the labour hours needed. Excavators discount for straightforward access; they don't apply straightforward-access rates to complicated sites.

How much does landscape design cost?

Landscape design fees typically add 5–10% of your total home's value to a full landscaping budget. Standalone design costs:

• Simple design: around $800
• Standard design plan: around $3,000 average
• Complex design with 3D renderings: up to $6,000+
• Hourly rate: around $50 per hour, varies by project size and location

Design isn't necessary for small updates, but for full-property landscaping the design fee usually pays for itself in avoided rework and material waste.

Key insight: "Landscaping adds value to a property, making it look smart and tidy. Buyers are looking for spa pools, rock pools and other modern water features, and they're also looking for trendy plants, creating lots of privacy." — Mark Burke, Century 21 Bayside Living.

What are the material costs?

Materials sit under the labour costs and often surprise homeowners who priced only the visible work. The core materials to budget for:

• Mulch: $60–$100 per cubic metre. Traps moisture and reduces watering needs. Reapply annually.
• Soil and fertiliser: $30–$70 per m³. Most Australian residential soils need supplementing for productive planting.
• Gravel: $55–$120 per cubic yard for materials; ~$5 per square metre labour to install. Good for drainage and access paths.
• Retaining wall blocks: $130–$250 per square metre. Contractor labour typically around $50 per hour on top.
• Pavers: $40–$65 per square metre. More flexible than concrete, faster to lay than natural stone.
• Sand: $30–$50. Used as a buffer under pavers and stonework so stones can be repositioned without cracking.

See all your costs in one view. Try the free LocalAgentFinder selling costs calculator — commission, marketing, conveyancing, and pre-sale improvements together.

What factors affect the total landscaping cost?

Five factors move landscaping cost up or down, sometimes dramatically:

• Labour intensity. Jobs on rough terrain, difficult access, or sloped blocks take significantly longer. Two identical designs on two different blocks can cost 40% differently.
• Property size. The most visible cost lever. Larger areas mean more materials and more hours — but per-square-metre rates usually drop as size increases.
• Materials chosen. The single biggest variable. Pine fencing at $75/m vs sandstone at $1,000/m is a 13× difference for the same length of fence.
• Ongoing site visits. Post-project maintenance (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly visits) is an ongoing cost most homeowners don't budget for. Factor 12 months of visits into any large project.
• Council approvals and fees. Retaining walls above 1m, decks above certain heights, and some shed installations require council approval. Fees and lead times vary by state and council.

Should you DIY landscaping or hire a professional?

DIY landscaping saves money on small, low-risk jobs — lawn seeding, mulching, potted plants, garden bed prep. It costs money on complex ones — retaining walls, paving, decking, excavation — because mistakes are expensive to fix and safety risks are real.

The honest test: if the job requires specialised equipment (excavators, wet saws, compactors, angle grinders) or council approval, hire a professional. If it doesn't, DIY may be viable — but factor in the value of your own time. Ten weekends spent building a fence at $75/m materials only sounds like savings until you compare it to $150/m installed with professional guarantees.

Does landscaping add value to a house?

Yes — well-executed landscaping consistently adds to a property's sale value, and often more than it costs. Australian real estate agents consistently report that kerb appeal is the single biggest driver of buyer interest at the front-of-house first impression. Homes with tired, unkempt gardens routinely sell 5–10% below well-presented comparable properties, even when the interior is identical.

Not all landscaping is equal. Buyers value kerb appeal, outdoor entertaining space, and low-maintenance gardens most highly. Buyers discount landscaping that suggests high ongoing maintenance costs (elaborate manicured hedges, complex water features, high-water-use plantings).

How to prepare your garden for sale

If landscaping is part of a pre-sale campaign, the priority is different from landscaping for lifestyle. Focus on the elements buyers actually see and value:

• Refresh, don't rebuild. Fresh mulch, defined garden bed edges, pressure-washed paths, and a healthy lawn deliver 80% of the value at 10% of the cost of a full landscape.
• Fix visible problems first. Broken fences, dead patches of lawn, cracked pavers, and overgrown trees are what buyers deduct from their offer. Fix these before you invest in new features.
• Instant turf beats seed for pre-sale timelines. If you're listing within three months, roll turf. The extra cost is recovered many times over in first-impression value.
• Talk to your real estate agent before you commit. They know which garden features actually add value in your specific suburb — and which just add cost.

Ready to find an agent who knows what garden features add value in your area? LocalAgentFinder is Australia's free comparison service — compare local agents on performance, fees, and recent sales.

Key Takeaways

• Total residential landscaping in Australia typically costs $5,000–$30,000, with complex builds exceeding $50,000.
• Material choice is the single biggest cost lever — fencing alone ranges from $75/m (pine) to $1,000/m (sandstone).
• Always get three written quotes before committing. Landscape prices on the same job can differ by 50% or more between quoters.
• DIY works for lawns, mulching, and light garden work. Hire professionals for retaining walls, paving, decking, and excavation.
• Well-executed landscaping consistently adds more to a home's sale value than it costs — but only if it targets kerb appeal, outdoor entertaining, and low maintenance.
• For pre-sale campaigns, spend 1–3% of the expected sale price. Focus on refreshing visible problems, not building new features.