How Much Does Landscaping And Gardening Cost In Australia

If you are looking at your outdoor space and wondering how much does landscaping cost in Australia, you are not alone. At Trade Heroes we see landscaping prices that range from a few thousand dollars for basic improvements through to $50,000 or more for a full landscaping project with structural elements, decks and water features.

As a rule of thumb, a full landscaping job typically costs between 5 percent and 10 percent of your home’s value. If your home is worth $500,000, you might budget between $25,000 and $50,000. In some markets like Adelaide, landscaping costs can be approximately 20 percent of the total value of a home, especially on design led projects.

This guide breaks down average landscaping costs, gardening and lawn care pricing, and the key elements that influence landscaping costs so you can budget effectively and brief landscaping professionals with confidence.

Average Cost Of Landscaping

Average landscaping costs in Australia can range from $1,000 to over $50,000, depending on project scope, site conditions and materials. Basic landscaping work generally costs $50 to $150 per square metre, while more complex landscaping work with structural elements can cost upwards of that range.

For a complete landscaping job, you should budget between 5 percent and 10 percent of your home’s value. That means an average property might see an overall cost of $10,000 to $30,000, while premium designs with extensive hardscaping features, water features and a swimming pool can sit well above $50,000.

Design is a significant portion of the initial costs. A landscape designer or architect may charge $2,000 to $5,000 for a professional landscape design service, with consultation fees for landscaping typically starting at $250. These upfront design costs depend on design complexity and project scope but help you avoid costly mistakes during construction.

Labour costs for landscaping professionals usually range from $50 to $70 per hour, although landscaper hourly rates can vary widely depending on location and experience, from around $40 per hour through to $80+ per hour for highly skilled professionals.

Average Cost Of Gardening And Lawn Care

If you already have an existing garden and just need ongoing maintenance, gardening and lawn care is far more affordable than a full landscaping project.

Professional landscaping maintenance costs like lawn mowing typically range from $50 to $80 per visit, depending on yard size and access. Garden maintenance costs depend on what is included, but you can expect to pay a garden designer or gardener per hour for tasks such as:

• Lawn mowing and edging
• Pruning and planting trees and shrubs
• Soil improvement and mulch top ups
• Basic improvements to garden beds and borders

Ongoing maintenance requirements vary based on climate and plant selection. A low maintenance garden with native plants and efficient irrigation systems will usually have lower maintenance costs over time than a high maintenance garden full of thirsty exotics and complex hedging.

When you work with Trade Heroes to find local landscapers and gardeners, you can compare quotes from multiple services to understand how often you should schedule visits and how the maintenance costs vary based on the level of service.

Where Your Money Goes: Landscaping Cost Breakdown

Landscaping costs can vary widely depending on several factors, but most projects share the same key elements in the budget.

Design And Planning

A professional landscape designer or landscape architect will typically charge $2,000 to $5,000 for a complete landscape design package, with simple consultations starting from around $250. These initial costs cover concept plans, landscape design drawings, plant selection and planning for structural elements like retaining walls, decks and pathways.

Design complexity is a key factor that affects landscaping costs. Detailed 3D renders or staged plans for a large outdoor area will cost more than a simple sketch for a small courtyard.

Labour And Site Conditions

Labour costs are a significant portion of any landscaping job. Landscapers typically charge between $50 and $70 per hour, but rates can vary widely depending on demand and location, with experienced landscapers in some areas charging $55 to $140+ per hour.

Site conditions such as poor soil, steep slopes, tight access or drainage problems can influence landscaping costs by increasing excavation and grading needs. Excavation and grading may add significant expenses to landscaping projects when soil preparation, soil improvement and access difficulties are involved.

Materials And Hardscaping Features

Hardscaping features often take up a significant portion of the budget:

• Basic landscaping work on paths and paving usually costs $50 to $90 per square metre for hardscaping materials like paving.
• The cost of hardscaping materials like paving ranges from $50 to $90 per square metre, while decking can range from $200 to over $350 per square metre for premium composite options.
• The average cost of a deck can start from $160 per square metre to $220 per square metre for simpler treated pine structures, with common decking jobs ranging from $1,800 to $8,000.
• The expected average decking, patio or pergola costs in Australia vary between $3,500 and $6,500.
• A basic retaining wall typically costs around $135 per square metre, but high end retaining walls can cost upwards once you add structural elements and engineering.
• The cost of paving a driveway or carport commonly starts from $40 to $65 per square metre for concrete.

Adding features such as outdoor kitchens, built in seating or water features will increase your overall cost. A water feature installation can range from $9,000 to $25,000, and a swimming pool typically costs $25,000 to $100,000, depending on size and materials.

Lawn, Irrigation And Planting

Softscaping also carries its own associated costs:

• Installation of sod or lawn installation can cost between $3,400 and $5,100.
• Irrigation systems can cost between $1,000 and $5,000, while the installation of sprinklers might be priced at $10 to $27 per square metre.
• Planting trees, shrubs and garden beds will vary greatly depending on plant selection, with mature trees costing significantly more than tube stock.

Choosing native plants is a smart way to reduce costs and maintenance. Native plants tend to be more water efficient and better suited to local site conditions, which reduces ongoing maintenance costs over time.

Common Landscaping Jobs And What They Include

When people ask how much does landscaping cost, they are usually thinking of common landscaping jobs rather than line item pricing.

Typical landscaping work from Trade Heroes landscape contractors might include:

• Front Yard Refresh: Soil preparation, new mulch, simple garden beds, planting trees or shrubs and basic garden lighting. Basic landscaping work of this type might sit between $50 and $150 per square metre depending on materials and labour.
• Empty Backyard Makeover: Turning an empty backyard into a usable outdoor area with lawn installation, garden beds, native plants and a small deck can cost from a few thousand dollars through to $20,000+, depending on project scope.
• Entertainer’s Outdoor Space: A combination of decking in treated pine or composite, hardscaping features like paved areas, garden lighting, water features and seating can cost upwards of $30,000.
• Structural Retaining Walls And Levels: Where site conditions require retaining walls, drainage and soil improvement, the overall cost can vary widely depending on wall height, materials and necessary permits.

These common landscaping jobs often combine multiple services from landscaping professionals, such as design, demolition, construction and planting, into one fixed price. The actual costs will always vary based on several factors, including project scope, materials and labour rates in your area.

DIY Vs Hiring A Professional Landscaper

Many homeowners consider doing their own landscaping to reduce costs. DIY can work for basic improvements like mulching, small garden beds or planting trees, but it is easy to underestimate how much does landscaping really involve.

Complex landscaping work that includes structural elements, hardscaping features, irrigation systems, retaining walls and any construction that may require necessary permits is best left to a professional landscaper or landscape contractor. These skilled professionals understand design complexity, soil preparation, drainage and compliance, helping you avoid costly mistakes.

If you have time and enjoy working in the garden, you might handle your own landscaping for simple tasks and bring in landscaping services only where you need specialised help. A good rule is to tackle cosmetic work yourself and rely on local landscapers for anything that supports the structure of your outdoor area or your home.

How Much Value Can Landscaping Add To Your Home?

Good landscaping does more than make your garden look nice. It can significantly increase your property value. Landscaping costs can be seen as an investment in your home rather than just an expense.

Industry experience shows that good landscaping can add 6 percent to 7 percent to the value of your home, while a neglected garden can reduce value by 5 percent to 15 percent. When you compare those figures with a landscaping budget of 5 percent to 10 percent of your home’s value, the numbers often stack up.

For example, on a $500,000 property, spending $25,000 to $50,000 on a well planned landscaping project can improve first impressions, boost buyer demand and help your property sell faster and at a higher price point.

The key elements that drive value are simple, functional landscape design, attractive garden beds and lawns, quality hardscaping and practical outdoor spaces for entertaining.

How To Choose The Right Landscaper

Hiring a landscaper can help you achieve a professional look for your outdoor space and protect your landscaping budget from blowouts. Choosing experienced landscapers over cheaper options can prevent future problems and additional costs.

When you shortlist landscaping professionals on Trade Heroes, look for:

• A professional landscape designer or landscape architect if your project needs comprehensive plans.
• Evidence of multiple services, from softscaping and hardscaping through to irrigation systems and garden lighting.
• Clear explanations of labour costs, materials and any associated costs that might arise from site conditions.
• Help with obtaining necessary permits where structural elements, decks or retaining walls are involved.
• A strong portfolio and references so you can see how their landscaping work performs over time.

It is important to communicate your budget and requirements clearly to your landscaper so they can design within your limits. Comparing quotes from multiple landscapers will help you understand how much does landscaping cost for your specific project and how different design choices influence landscaping costs.

With Trade Heroes you can find local landscapers, compare detailed quotes and choose an experienced landscaper who fits your project scope and budget.

Landscaping And Gardening Cost FAQs

How Much Does Landscaping Cost In Australia?

The average landscaping cost in Australia typically ranges from about $1,000 for small basic jobs to well over $50,000 for large, design led projects. A complete landscaping job often sits between 5 percent and 10 percent of your home’s value, with some Adelaide projects reaching approximately 20 percent of the property value where high end designs are involved.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost Per Square Metre?

Basic landscaping work generally costs between $50 and $150 per square metre, while premium projects with complex hardscaping can cost upwards of that range. Costs depend on materials, design complexity and site conditions. For example, hardscaping with paving may range from $50 to $90 per square metre, while decks can range from $160 to over $350 per square metre depending on whether you choose treated pine or composite boards.

What Factors Influence Landscaping Costs The Most?

Landscaping costs are influenced by yard size, design complexity, material choices, site conditions, labour rates and local permits. The size of the outdoor area significantly influences landscaping costs, and materials like natural stone, composite decking and mature trees can make the overall cost vary widely. Site conditions such as poor soil, drainage issues or steep slopes add to excavation and grading work, while ongoing maintenance requirements and plant selection also vary widely depending on how intensive the garden is to care for.

How Much Does Gardening And Lawn Mowing Cost?

Professional landscaping maintenance costs for gardening and lawn mowing usually range from $50 to $80 per visit. Actual costs vary depending on lawn size, access, green waste removal and whether you bundle multiple services such as pruning, soil improvement and garden clean ups into one visit. A regular maintenance schedule keeps your garden healthy and can reduce costs over time compared with infrequent, labour heavy clean ups.

Is It Better To DIY Or Hire A Professional Landscaper?

DIY can reduce costs for simple tasks, but hiring a professional landscaper is usually better for structural work and complex designs. While you can handle your own landscaping for minor planting or tidy ups, a professional landscape designer or landscape contractor manages key elements like retaining walls, decks, irrigation systems and necessary permits. Their expertise in project scope and site conditions helps avoid structural issues and costly mistakes later.

How Do I Find Local Landscapers I Can Trust?

The easiest way to find local landscapers you can trust is to compare qualified trades on a directory like Trade Heroes and review their portfolios and reviews. Look for landscapers who can show examples of similar projects, explain landscaping prices clearly, and provide written quotes that break down initial costs, labour costs and materials. Trade Heroes makes it simple to find local landscapers, request multiple quotes and choose the right team for your garden.

Ready To Plan Your Landscaping Budget?

If you are ready to turn your garden into a functional, beautiful outdoor area, the next step is to get real numbers for your specific project. Use Trade Heroes to find local landscapers, compare quotes from skilled professionals and understand exactly how much does landscaping cost for your home.

Share your budget, project scope and ideas, then let trusted landscaping professionals design and deliver good landscaping that adds long term value to your property.