Turf cost in Sydney is typically $17 to $46 per m² laid, with about $29 per m² as a typical price (October 2026, including GST). The grass variety, how much old lawn and soil prep your yard needs, and how easily the crew can reach the site move the total most.
This guide shows how much turf costs per square metre, what a lawn of each size might cost, where to buy turf, how to compare quotes and how to save without cutting corners.
Key points
- Laying turf in Sydney costs about $17 to $46 per m², typically around $29 per m², including GST (October 2026).
- The biggest cost drivers are the grass variety, site preparation, access and the amount of old lawn to remove.
- The cheapest route is usually buying turf direct from a grower and doing the preparation yourself, then paying a pro only for the laying.
- DIY works for small, flat, easy-access yards; hire help for large or sloping lawns and heavy clay.
Turf cost per square metre: price table
Use the per-m² range as your baseline, then add preparation and extras from your quotes. Prices are Sydney metro rates and include GST.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turf laying, per m² | $17 | $29 | $46 |
| Gardener, per hour | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Lawn aeration, up to about 150 m² | $92 | $170 | $290 |
| Garden clean-up, half day | $170 | $290 | $460 |
| Garden clean-up, full day | $320 | $520 | $805 |
| Mowing a medium lawn, per visit | $65 | $100 | $150 |
Turf cost calculator: how much is turf for your lawn?
Multiply your lawn area by the per-m² range to get a rough total. Measure the length and width of each section, add them up, and allow extra for cut-offs.
| Lawn | Rough laid total |
|---|---|
| Courtyard | About 50 m²: $850 to $2,300, typical $1,450 (indicative — multiplied from the per-m² range) |
| Small backyard | About 100 m²: $1,700 to $4,600, typical $2,900 (indicative — multiplied from the per-m² range) |
| Medium backyard | About 200 m²: $3,400 to $9,200, typical $5,800 (indicative — multiplied from the per-m² range) |
| Large lawn | About 300 m²: $5,100 to $13,800, typical $8,700 (indicative — multiplied from the per-m² range) |
- Allow a small extra margin for cuts around garden beds and paths (indicative — ask your supplier how much to add).
- Add old-lawn removal and soil preparation if they are not included in the per-m² price.
- Add delivery and pallet charges if you buy turf yourself from a grower.
- Ask each supplier to confirm the price per square metre in writing so you can compare like for like.
- Check whether the price is for rolls supplied only or supplied and installed.
- Round up the area before you order, because short rolls are hard to fix once turf has dried out.
Turf installation cost: supply and install vs DIY
| Factor | DIY | Hiring a pro |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower labour cost; you pay for turf, delivery, tools and tip fees | Higher upfront; turf supply and install cost is itemised |
| Prep | You strip, level and rake the soil yourself | Crew handles removal, levelling and fertiliser |
| Timing | Turf must be laid within a day or two of delivery | Delivery is timed to the crew |
| Result | Uneven joins and low spots are common | Tighter joins and a level finish |
| Best for | Small, flat, easy-access yards | Large, sloping or clay-heavy yards |
What affects turf cost
- Grass variety: premium varieties such as Sir Walter buffalo or zoysia usually cost more than basic kikuyu or couch.
- Site preparation: stripping old lawn, levelling and adding soil all add labour hours at the gardener rate of about $52 to $115 per hour.
- Access: tight side gates and long carries slow the job, because heavy rolls have to be moved by hand.
- Soil type: heavy clay in western Sydney often needs extra loosening or topsoil before laying.
- Lawn shape: curves, steps and garden edges create offcuts, which increases waste and labour.
- Season: warm-season turf lays best in spring and early summer, when demand is also higher.
- Waste removal: old lawn and soil must be carted away, and tip fees can add to the total.
Instant turf cost vs seed, plugs and returfing lawn cost
Instant turf is turf supplied in rolls that you can walk on within weeks. Seed and plugs cost less per square metre but take months to fill in.
| Option | Upfront cost | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant turf rolls | Highest | Fast | Best for a finished look quickly; sets the baseline for returfing lawn cost. |
| Seed | Lowest | Slow | Suits some varieties only and needs careful watering. |
| Plugs or runners | Low to mid | Slow to mid | Used for some warm-season grasses; weeds can invade during establishment. |
| Patch repair | Low | Fast | See our guide to fixing a patchy lawn before you return the whole lawn. |
| Aerate and top-dress | Low to mid | Slow | See our how to aerate a lawn guide for compacted lawns. |
| Full returf | Highest | Fast | Right when weeds or the wrong grass dominate; start by identifying grass type, using our grass identification guide. |
Where to buy turf
You can buy turf from several sources. Compare price, freshness and delivery.
- Turf growers and farms sell direct, often at the best price per m², and deliver pallets to your door.
- Landscape suppliers stock popular varieties and can often arrange laying.
- Some large hardware stores such as Bunnings stock small quantities of turf; check stock by store.
- Branded varieties such as Sir Walter buffalo are sold through licensed growers, so ask the brand for local suppliers.
- Order close to your laying day, because turf should be laid fresh, ideally on the day it arrives.
- Ask for a sample or photo of the actual batch if you are paying for premium turf.
Turf cost by city
Only the Sydney figures above are verified for this page. Other capitals follow the same drivers, so use local quotes for the final number.
| City | How it compares | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $17 to $46 per m² laid, typical $29 | Variety, access and clay soil |
| Melbourne | Varies by variety and season (indicative — get local quotes) | Cool-season and warm-season options |
| Brisbane | Varies by variety and delivery distance (indicative — get local quotes) | Warm-season grasses dominate |
| Perth | Varies by soil and variety (indicative — get local quotes) | Sandy soil preparation |
| Adelaide | Varies by variety and supplier (indicative — get local quotes) | Water restrictions and variety |
How to save on turf without cutting corners
- Get at least three written quotes that separate turf supply, preparation, laying and waste removal.
- Do the strip-out and raking yourself if your yard is small and easy to reach.
- Choose a variety suited to your light: buffalo for shade, kikuyu or couch for full sun.
- Book in spring or early summer when turf establishes fastest, rather than paying for repairs later.
- Measure carefully and order only a small margin extra, so you avoid paying for waste.
- Follow Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines when you water the new turf: before 10 am or after 4 pm, with a trigger nozzle on the hose.
What a fair turf quote should include
- Variety and quantity of turf in m², plus the price per square metre.
- Itemised prep: old-lawn removal, levelling, soil improver and starter fertiliser.
- Access and delivery, including any extra charges for stairs or long carries.
- Waste removal and tip fees for old turf and soil.
- A written start date, completion date and aftercare watering instructions.
- Insurance details and what the warranty covers, as stated in writing.
How much to trim a tree
Many yard makeovers also include a tree, so it helps to budget for pruning. In Sydney, tree pruning or trimming costs about $230 to $1,375 per tree, typically around $520 (October 2026, including GST).
- Check your council’s tree rules before you prune, because many trees need approval above a set size.
- Use a qualified arborist for work near power lines, above head height or on large trees.
- Ask for pruning to be done before turf laying, so branches and debris don’t damage the new lawn.
- Get the quote to include green-waste removal so you aren’t left with piles on the lawn.
- Prune for light as well as size, because more sun helps turf under trees.
- Keep powered tools inside legal hours: 7 am to 8 pm, or 8 am on Sundays and public holidays.
FAQ: turf cost
How much does turf cost?
Laying turf in Sydney costs about $17 to $46 per m², typically around $29 per m² (October 2026, including GST). Variety, preparation and access change the total, so ask for itemised quotes before you commit.
Where to buy turf?
Buy from local turf growers, landscape suppliers or some large hardware stores. Growers often offer the best price and fresher rolls. Compare delivery charges, and order close to laying day so the turf stays fresh.
How much is turf for a 100 m² lawn?
At $17 to $46 per m², a 100 m² lawn costs roughly $1,700 to $4,600 laid, with about $2,900 as a typical figure (indicative — based on the per-m² range). Preparation and waste removal may add to it.
How much to trim a tree?
Tree pruning in Sydney costs about $230 to $1,375 per tree, with about $520 typical (October 2026, including GST). Check council rules first and use a qualified arborist for large trees or work near power lines.
Is turf cheaper than seed?
Seed costs less upfront, but it takes months to establish and needs careful watering. Instant turf costs more but gives a usable lawn within weeks. Weigh the cost against time, watering and weed risk.
Getting turf laid in Sydney
If you’d rather have the old lawn stripped, the soil prepared and fresh turf laid by a crew, we can organise it and keep it mowed afterwards. Read our lawn care guide, then book lawn mowing in Sydney to look after your new lawn.
