Aussie landscapers typically charge $65-$95/hour in metro areas, with no separate call-out fee. Regional rates run around 10-15% lower. This page has an instant job estimator (call-out + labour + materials for common jobs) plus real 2026 rates by city and typical prices for the 8 most-requested jobs.
Instant job estimator
Estimate only. Get at least 2-3 written quotes before committing.
Rates by city and job type
Hourly rates by area
| Area | Hourly rate | Call-out fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide (metro) | $65-$95/hr | None (included) |
| Regional Australia | $55-$85/hr | None (included) |
Typical job prices (2026 metro rates)
| Job | Time | Metro price (all in) |
|---|---|---|
| Turf laying (per m2, kikuyu or buffalo) | 0.1-0.2 hrs | $18 – $44 |
| Garden bed (dig + soil + edging, per m2) | 0.5-1 hrs | $62 – $175 |
| Retaining wall (timber sleeper, per lm) | 2-4 hrs | $210 – $580 |
| Retaining wall (concrete block, per lm) | 3-6 hrs | $345 – $970 |
| Paving (per m2, concrete pavers) | 1-2 hrs | $115 – $310 |
| Paving (per m2, natural stone) | 1.5-3 hrs | $198 – $535 |
| Irrigation install (basic backyard) | 8-16 hrs | $920 – $2,720 |
| Tree removal (medium, no crane) | 4-8 hrs | $260 – $760 |
Prices include call-out, labour, and materials for a standard job at metro rates. Regional prices typically ~15% lower. Emergency and after-hours work adds 50-100%.
What affects the price
- Location: Sydney and Melbourne metro run 10-20% above the national average. Perth is roughly middle. Regional Australia is 10-15% below metro.
- Access: Multi-storey work, tight ceiling cavities, or roof access add 20-40%.
- Materials quality: Budget vs premium fixtures can double the materials portion of a quote.
- After-hours or emergency: Weekend, evening, or emergency call-outs add 50-100% to hourly rates.
- Compliance and certification: Some jobs require a Certificate of Compliance, which adds paperwork time.
- Waste disposal: Debris, old materials, and packaging removal is usually charged separately unless quoted upfront.
Licensing and compliance
Most landscaping does not require a state licence. Structural work over 1m high (retaining walls, decks) usually needs council approval.
How to compare landscapers quotes
- Get at least 2-3 written quotes – verbal quotes are unenforceable and almost always end up higher.
- Ask each tradesperson to itemise: call-out, labour hours, materials, waste disposal, GST. Lump-sum quotes hide markup.
- Check the licence number on the state authority’s website (Fair Trading NSW, VBA Victoria, QBCC Queensland). No licence = no insurance, no protection.
- Ask about waste disposal and site protection – these are the two things most often missed and cause price disputes later.
- Never pay more than 10% deposit for jobs under $20,000, and never pay in full before work is complete.
→ Use our free quote comparator to spot missing items, cash-only red flags, and unfair deposit demands across your 2-3 quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need 2-3 quotes?
Yes. Australian consumer protection groups consistently find price variance of 30-50% between quotes for the same job. Single-quote jobs cost homeowners hundreds to thousands more on average.
Can I get a discount for cash?
You can ask, but cash-only or “no GST” offers are a red flag. Cash-only tradespeople often have no insurance, no licence protection, and no recourse if the job goes wrong. The 10% you save is usually not worth the risk.
What is an emergency or after-hours rate?
Weekends, evenings, public holidays, and emergency call-outs typically add 50-100% to the hourly rate. Some trades have a flat “after-hours call-out” of $150-300 on top of the normal call-out.
Are apprentice or junior rates cheaper?
Yes – apprentices are billed at 40-60% of a fully licensed rate, but they must be supervised by a licensed tradesperson for regulated work. For simple jobs an experienced apprentice can be a good option; for regulated work (electrical, plumbing, gas) the supervisor’s time is usually billed too.
Should I check they have insurance?
Yes – ask for their public liability insurance certificate before work starts (typically $5M+ cover). If a tradesperson damages your property or injures themselves on your site, their insurance is what stops it becoming your bill.
Do quotes include GST?
Legally-compliant quotes must show whether prices include GST. A quote without a GST line and without an ABN is a warning sign – the tradesperson may not be legitimately registered.
Is the call-out fee separate from labour?
Usually yes. The call-out fee covers the tradesperson getting to your site and the first 15-30 minutes of assessment. Labour hours start once actual work begins. Always confirm this in writing.
Related tools
- Renovation Quote Comparator – paste your quotes and get red-flag analysis
- Renovation Budget Tracker – track total spend against category budgets
- Materials Calculator – how much paint, tile, or flooring you actually need
- Renovation Timeline Planner – 7 stages with email reminders
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