Artificial grass installation cost in Sydney usually lands between about $70 and $150 per m² installed (indicative — get at least three itemised quotes). The price depends mostly on the pile quality of the turf, how much base preparation your yard needs, and how easy it is to get materials and spoil in and out.
This guide shows what you pay for materials and labour, how the price changes by city, and where you can save without cutting corners.
Key points
- Expect roughly $70 to $150 per m² installed for a typical Sydney backyard (indicative — varies with turf grade and site).
- The biggest cost driver is usually base preparation: excavation, compacted base and drainage, not the turf roll itself.
- The cheapest route is a small, flat, easy-access area with a basic turf grade and a simple edge.
- DIY only makes sense for small, level areas, because a poor base shows up as ripples and puddles within a season.
Artificial grass installation cost: price table
Prices below are indicative Sydney ranges including GST. Real quotes vary with access, soil and finish.
| Job size | Materials | Labour and base | Total installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small courtyard, up to 20 m² | $600–$1,600 (indicative) | $800–$1,800 (indicative) | $1,400–$3,400 (indicative) |
| Small backyard, 20–50 m² | $1,200–$3,500 (indicative) | $1,500–$3,500 (indicative) | $2,700–$7,000 (indicative) |
| Medium backyard, 50–100 m² | $2,500–$6,500 (indicative) | $3,000–$6,500 (indicative) | $5,500–$13,000 (indicative) |
| Large lawn, 100 m² and over | $5,000–$10,000 (indicative) | $5,500–$11,000 (indicative) | $10,500–$21,000 (indicative) |
| Per m², all-in | $25–$70 (indicative) | $35–$80 (indicative) | $70–$150 (indicative) |
Artificial turf cost per m² by quality
Search results mix supply-only prices with installed prices, which is why the numbers look so different.
| Grade | Supply only per m² | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $15–$30 (indicative) | Rentals, low-traffic side passages | Shiny blades, flat spots and fading in strong Sydney sun. |
| Mid-range | $30–$55 (indicative) | Most family backyards | Check the pile height and backing are listed on the product sheet. |
| Premium | $55–$90 (indicative) | Front yards, pet areas, high traffic | Pay for a proper warranty in writing, not a verbal promise. |
- Artificial grass price per square metre at Bunnings or similar stores covers supply only, so add base, labour and edging before you compare it with an installer’s artificial grass installation cost quote.
- Price on artificial grass also changes with roll width, because joins in a small yard add labour and show more.
Artificial turf installation cost by city
Sydney is the baseline here. Other capitals vary with labour rates, soil type and how far materials travel.
| City | Installed per m² | What shifts the price |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $70–$150 (indicative) | Sloping blocks, sandstone and heavy clay in the west add excavation time. |
| Melbourne | $65–$140 (indicative) | Clay soils and wetter winters push up drainage work. |
| Brisbane | $65–$140 (indicative) | Storm-season drainage and sandy soils both change the base design. |
| Perth | $60–$130 (indicative) | Sandy ground is easy to dig, but water restrictions drive demand and quotes. |
| Adelaide | $60–$130 (indicative) | Reactive clay in some suburbs needs a thicker base. |
What affects the cost to install artificial grass
- Site preparation: removing old turf, weeds and roots adds labour, and a garden clean-up in Sydney runs about $170 to $460 for a half day (typical $290).
- Base depth and material: crushed rock and a compacted layer cost more on soft or reactive soil, so ask your installer to explain the base in writing.
- Turf grade: moving from budget to premium pile can add tens of dollars per m² on materials alone (indicative — compare product sheets).
- Access: a narrow side gate means wheelbarrow work, which adds labour hours compared with a driveway drop.
- Shape and joins: curves, garden beds and trees create offcuts and wastage, so a simple rectangle costs less.
- Edging and borders: timber, concrete or paver edges are priced separately, and pavers and carpentry belong to a licensed handyman or landscaper.
- Spoil removal: soil and old turf must be taken away, and tip fees plus truck time are often itemised separately (indicative — varies by tip).
- Drainage: poor drainage under a pet area or clay yard may need extra work, and anything tied to mains plumbing should be done by a licensed plumber.
Natural turf vs artificial grass installation cost
| Item | Natural turf | Artificial grass |
|---|---|---|
| Laid price per m² | $17–$46 in Sydney (typical $29) | $70–$150 (indicative) |
| Mowing | Regular visits, from $45 to $100 for a small lawn (typical $60) | None |
| Watering and feeding | Ongoing, within Sydney Water’s Water Wise rules | Occasional rinse only |
| Heat on hot days | Stays cooler underfoot | Can get very hot in direct sun |
| Replacement | Re-lay patches as needed | Replace the whole surface when worn |
Artificial grass costs several times more up front, so the question is how long you plan to stay and how much you use the lawn.
DIY vs hiring a pro for artificial grass
| Factor | DIY | Hire an installer |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Materials only, plus hire gear and tip runs | Materials plus labour and a margin |
| Skill | Base levelling and seam joining are harder than they look | Experienced crews do this weekly |
| Time | Often two to three weekends for a small yard | Usually one to three days |
| Risk | Ripples, puddles and visible joins if the base is wrong | Workmanship warranty and someone to call back |
| Best for | Small, flat, accessible areas | Slopes, large areas, pet zones and tight access |
If you only want to know how the job is done, read our how to lay artificial grass guide and our how to install fake grass guide.
How to save on artificial grass without cutting corners
- Get three itemised quotes for the same area and the same turf grade so you can compare like with like.
- Pick a mid-range turf rather than the cheapest, because thin, shiny grass fades and needs replacing sooner.
- Keep the shape simple and use fewer curves, since offcuts are paid for twice, once in material and once in labour.
- Remove old plants and move furniture before the crew arrives so labour hours go on the base, not tidying.
- Ask for spoil removal to be priced separately so you can compare tip costs against a skip bin.
- Read how long the turf lasts in our how long artificial grass lasts guide before you buy, and keep it clean using the how to clean artificial grass guide.
What a fair artificial grass quote should include
- Itemised materials for the artificial grass installation cost: turf brand and grade, pile height, backing, infill, base material and edging, each listed separately.
- Site preparation: excavation depth, old lawn removal and how weeds will be dealt with before the turf goes down.
- Access and equipment: any extra charge for narrow gates, slopes or machine hire.
- Waste removal: who takes the soil and old turf away, and whether tip fees are included.
- Warranty: the turf warranty from the manufacturer and the installer’s workmanship warranty, both in writing.
- Licence and insurance: any trade licence required for the work and proof of public liability insurance.
FAQ: artificial grass cost
How much does artificial grass cost?
Expect about $70 to $150 per m² installed in Sydney (indicative — quotes vary with turf grade, base preparation and access). Supply-only turf is cheaper, often from about $15 to $90 per m² (indicative), but the base and labour make up roughly half the total.
How much is artificial turf per square metre at Bunnings?
Prices change by roll and range, so check the shelf or website on the day. Supply-only prices at big stores sit at the budget to mid-range end of the market, and they don’t include base material, labour or edging, so don’t compare them directly with an installed quote.
Is artificial grass cheaper than real grass?
Not up front. Laying natural turf in Sydney costs about $17 to $46 per m² (typical $29), while artificial grass costs several times that. The gap narrows over many years because you stop mowing, but heat, replacement and the base still count.
What is the cheapest way to get artificial grass installed?
Choose a small, flat, easy-access area, a basic grade of turf and a simple rectangular shape. Prepare the site yourself where safe, and ask for waste removal to be itemised. Never skip the compacted base, because that saves money for a season and costs more later.
Does artificial grass need maintenance?
Yes, but far less than a lawn. You rinse it, brush the pile, remove leaves and wash pet areas. Our cleaning guide covers the routine, and we can still mow and edge the real lawn areas around it.
Getting your lawn and garden sorted in Sydney
If you are deciding between real and artificial grass, we can quote natural turf laying, mowing and garden clean-ups so you can compare the total cost over the years. Book a free quote with TQN Mowing and we will walk the yard with you.
