How Much Does Landscaping Cost in Sydney? (2026 Price Guide)
Robert EishoJune 10, 2026Landscaping in Sydney costs roughly $50 to $150 per square metre for basic work, and $200 to $550+ per m² once paving, retaining walls and structures are involved. As a whole-project guide for 2026, a small refresh runs about $3,000 to $8,000, a standard family backyard $15,000 to $40,000, and a premium or large build $60,000 to $200,000 or more. Prices have crept up with material costs and a tight labour market. Below we break down every line item, show where the budget actually goes, give sample budgets, and flag the NSW council approvals and hidden costs that catch people out.
Written by the team at Living Green Outdoors, landscaping specialists in South West Sydney – last updated June 2026.
Landscaping cost in Sydney at a glance
Every site is different, but these 2026 ranges give you a realistic starting point for a whole project.
| Project scale | Typical cost (AUD) | What it usually includes |
| Small refresh | $3,000 – $8,000 | Tidy-up, mulch, edging, some planting, small turf area |
| Standard family backyard | $15k – $40k | Lawn, beds, paving, basic irrigation, a deck or small wall |
| Large / premium | $60k – $200k+ | Full design, pool surrounds, extensive paving, structures, lighting |
Whole-project cost ranges for Sydney landscaping in 2026.
Quick takeaway: Most suburban backyards land in the $15,000-$40,000 band once paving and a structure or two are included.
Landscaping cost per square metre
Per-square-metre pricing is the easiest way to sanity-check a quote. Basic landscaping sits around $50 to $150/m², mid-range work with paving and irrigation runs $200 to $350/m², and premium builds with stone and structures reach $350 to $550/m² or more.
| Tier | Cost per m² (AUD) | Best for |
| Basic | $50 – $150 | Lawn, mulch and simple planting |
| Mid-range | $200 – $350 | Paving, garden beds and irrigation |
| Premium | $350 – $550 | Stone paving, walls and lighting |
| Luxury | $700+ | Custom features, pools and mature trees |
Cost per m² climbs sharply once hard landscaping enters the mix.
Quick takeaway: Multiply your usable area by the right tier for a quick ballpark, then adjust for access and slope.
Landscape design and professional fees
Good landscaping starts on paper. Design fees protect you from expensive mistakes on site, so they are money well spent on anything beyond a basic tidy-up.
| Service | Typical price (AUD) |
| Initial consultation | $150 – $350 |
| 2D concept design | $850 – $1,800 |
| Full design package | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| Garden designer (hourly) | $70 – $150 / hr |
| Landscape architect (hourly) | $150 – $250 / hr |
| Percentage of build | 5% – 10% of total |
For larger jobs, a designer earns their fee by allocating your budget where it counts and keeping the build compliant. See how we approach full landscaping design and construction.
Quick takeaway: Budget $3,000+ for a proper design on a full backyard. It almost always saves more than it costs.
Hardscaping costs: paving, concrete and decking
Hard landscaping usually takes the biggest single slice of the budget. Material choice is the main lever, so this is where you can spend or save the most.
| Element | Cost per m² (AUD) |
| Plain concrete | $65 – $100 |
| Standard paving | $70 – $150 |
| Exposed aggregate | $100 – $160 |
| Sandstone paving | $150 – $300 |
| Premium stone paving | $180 – $350+ |
| Timber decking | $220 – $350 |
| Composite decking | $350 – $650+ |
Supply-and-install ranges for common hard landscaping materials
Supply-and-install ranges for common hard landscaping materials.
For ideas on getting the look without the top-tier price, see our guides to patio paving ideas and low-cost block paving trends.
Quick takeaway: Decking and stone paving are the big-ticket items. Treated pine and concrete are the budget-friendly swaps.
Retaining walls and earthworks
On Sydney’s sloping, clay-heavy blocks, site preparation and retaining are often the most underestimated costs. Get these wrong and the whole project moves over time.
| Item | Typical price (AUD) |
| Timber sleeper retaining wall | $150 – $280 / m |
| Concrete retaining wall | $250 – $450 / m |
| Sandstone block retaining wall | $350+ / m |
| Excavator and operator hire | $120 – $180 / hr |
| Excavation and soil removal | $500– $850 |
Retaining wall costs per linear metre by material.
Walls over 600mm usually need engineering and approval. Our retaining wall ideas and excavation service pages explain what’s involved.
Quick takeaway: If your block slopes, budget for retaining and drainage early. It is structural, not optional.
Softscaping: turf, plants, irrigation and lighting
Softscaping brings the project to life and creates the biggest visual lift for the money. Turf variety, plant maturity and irrigation are the main cost drivers.
| Item | Typical price (AUD) |
| Turf, Kikuyu (supply & install) | $20 – $35 / m² |
| Turf, Sir Walter Buffalo | $35 – $50+ / m² |
| Garden bed prep & planting | $20 – $40 / m² |
| Plants (ground cover to mature tree) | $10 – $5,000+ each |
| Automated irrigation | $1,500 – $8,000 |
| Garden lighting | $1,500 – $15,000 |
Choosing the right turf matters in our climate. Compare options in our guide to choosing synthetic vs natural turf, and add interest with a water feature.
Quick takeaway: Mature trees and full lighting packages add up fast. Native planting keeps both cost and upkeep down.
Where your landscaping budget actually goes
Across a typical full project, hard landscaping eats the largest share, followed by site prep and softscaping. Knowing the split helps you decide where to invest and where to economise.
A typical split. Pools, structures and slope can shift these proportions a lot.
A typical split. Pools, structures and slope can shift these proportions a lot.
Quick takeaway: Hardscaping is usually about half the spend. That is also where smart material choices save the most.
Sample landscaping budgets for Sydney homes
To make the numbers concrete, here is how a mid-range suburban backyard might break down.
Illustrative breakdown for a roughly $45,000 medium backyard.
Illustrative breakdown for a roughly $45,000 medium backyard.
| Project | Realistic budget (AUD) | Typical scope |
| Courtyard / small yard | $8,000 – $20,000 | Paving, planter boxes, a feature tree, lighting |
| Medium suburban backyard | $25,000 – $55,000 | Lawn, paving, a deck or wall, irrigation, planting |
| Large / luxury garden | $100,000 – $250,000+ | Pool surrounds, terraces, premium stone, mature trees |
Quick takeaway: Use these as a planning anchor, then get an itemised quote against your actual site.
What makes landscaping cost more (or less)
Two identical-looking backyards can quote thousands apart. These are the factors that move the number:
- Site access. Narrow side access means materials carried by hand and higher labour.
- Slope and soil. Sloping or clay-heavy blocks need retaining, drainage and excavation.
- Materials. Natural stone and composite decking cost far more than concrete or pine.
- Structures and features. Pools, outdoor kitchens and water features add the most.
- Plant maturity. A mature tree can cost $1,000+, while tubestock is a few dollars.
- Council approvals. Walls, pools and larger decks add fees and time.
Quick takeaway: Access and slope are the silent budget-movers. A site visit is the only way to price them accurately.
Council approvals and hidden costs in NSW
This is where Sydney projects differ from generic guides. Some works need council approval, and skipping it risks fines or removal orders.
In NSW, retaining walls above 600mm, pools of any size, and decks or pergolas beyond set limits typically need a DA or CDC. Check the rules on the NSW Planning Portal before you commit.
| Hidden cost | Typical price (AUD) |
| Council application fees | $500 – $3,000 |
| Engineer / certifier reports | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Drainage (clay soils) | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Soil / spoil removal | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Ongoing maintenance (if outsourced) | $200 – $500 / month |
Quick takeaway: Always ask whether your quote includes approvals, drainage and spoil removal. These are the classic ‘extras’.
How to save money without cutting corners
- Stage the project. Do structural work first, then add planting and finishes over time.
- Choose smart materials. Treated pine over composite, concrete over premium stone where it won’t be seen up close.
- Plant small. Younger plants establish quickly and cost a fraction of mature stock.
- Get itemised quotes. Line-by-line pricing shows you exactly where to trim.
- Do the simple bits. Mulching and basic planting are DIY-friendly; leave walls and drainage to the pros.
More ideas in our landscaping hacks and budget-friendly backyard ideas.
Quick takeaway: Phasing is the single biggest lever for spreading cost without compromising the end result.
How to compare landscaping quotes
Cheapest is rarely best value. When you compare quotes, look past the headline number.
- Check inclusions. Does it cover design, approvals, drainage and spoil removal, or are they ‘extras’?
- Compare like for like. Same materials, same scope, same finishes.
- Ask about licensing and insurance. Structural work should be done by qualified trades.
- Get 2 to 3 quotes. If one is far cheaper, find out what’s missing.
Quick takeaway: A clear, itemised quote from a licensed local is worth more than the lowest bottom line.
Why get your quote from Living Green Outdoors
We are a South West Sydney landscaping team, so we price for the real conditions here: clay soils, sloping blocks, and local council requirements. From design and excavation to paving, walls, turf and lighting, we deliver the whole project and quote it transparently.
Serving Liverpool, Leppington, Austral, Middleton Grange and surrounds, we handle landscaping end to end. Browse our recent projects or request a free, itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to landscape a backyard in Sydney?
A standard suburban backyard typically costs $15,000 to $40,000, depending on paving, structures and planting. Small refreshes start around $3,000, while large or premium backyards can exceed $60,000.
What is the average cost of landscaping per square metre?
Basic landscaping runs about $50 to $150 per m². Mid-range work with paving and irrigation is $200 to $350/m², and premium builds with stone and structures reach $350 to $550/m² or more.
Why is landscaping so expensive in Sydney?
Prices reflect a tight labour market, rising material costs, and site factors like slope, clay soils and access. Hard landscaping, excavation and council approvals add the most, which is why a sloping or hard-to-access block costs more than a flat, open one.
Do I need council approval to landscape my garden?
Often not for planting, turf and minor paving. But retaining walls above 600mm, pools of any size, and larger decks or pergolas usually need a DA or CDC in NSW. Check the NSW Planning Portal or ask your landscaper.
How can I reduce my landscaping costs?
Stage the project, choose cost-effective materials, plant small, and get itemised quotes so you can see where to trim. Doing simple tasks like mulching yourself also helps, while leaving structural work to the professionals.
About Living Green Outdoors
Living Green Outdoors is a landscaping company serving South West Sydney, including Liverpool, Leppington, Austral and Middleton Grange. We design and build backyards, gardens, decks, paving, retaining walls and full outdoor transformations, priced transparently for local conditions.
See our portfolio or book a free on-site quote.
