How Much Does Turf Installation Cost in Melbourne?
Most Melbourne homeowners pay between $25 and $45 per square metre for natural turf, fully supplied and installed. A full project including soil prep and old lawn removal can run $35 to $65 per square metre, depending on the site.
There's no single fixed price because turf variety, ground condition and site access all shift the final cost. Below is a clear breakdown so you know what to expect before you get a quote.
Turf Installation Cost at a Glance
| Item | Typical Melbourne Cost |
|---|---|
| Turf only (budget varieties, e.g. Kikuyu, Nullarbor Couch) | $9–$14 per m² |
| Turf only (premium varieties, e.g. Sir Walter, Zoysia, Sir Grange) | $15–$38 per m² |
| Supply and install, straightforward site | $25–$45 per m² |
| Supply and install, with soil removal and prep | $35–$65 per m² |
| Synthetic turf, fully installed | $70–$150 per m² |
| Minimum call-out (small jobs) | $150–$300 |
Turf Cost Per Square Metre in 2026
Turf pricing has two parts: the turf itself, and the labour to prepare the ground and lay it. Our turf installation service covers professional ground preparation and turf laying. Buying turf alone, without installation, typically costs $9 to $17 per square metre depending on the variety.
Sir Walter Buffalo and Kikuyu sit at the more affordable end, generally $9 to $14 per square metre. Premium varieties like Sir Grange or Zoysia cost more, often $15 to $38 per square metre, but hold their colour better through Melbourne's cooler months.
Once you add professional installation, most Melbourne projects land between $25 and $45 per square metre supplied and laid. Smaller jobs sometimes carry a minimum call-out fee, often somewhere between $150 and $300, so a tiny patch job can cost more per square metre than a larger lawn.
What Affects the Cost of Turf Installation
Two lawns the same size can cost very differently once the ground is factored in. A block with reasonable existing soil and no old lawn to remove is far cheaper to turf than one starting from scratch.
Common cost factors include:
- Turf variety chosen
- Size of the area
- Condition of the existing ground
- Whether old lawn or debris needs removing
- Soil quality and how much needs replacing
- Site access for machinery and turf delivery
- Slope or uneven ground
- Drainage requirements
- Labour and equipment needed
If your site needs excavation, soil removal and new topsoil brought in, expect the higher end of the range, often $35 to $65 per square metre. A straightforward site that only needs levelling and a wetting agent before turf goes down sits much closer to $25 per square metre.
Natural Turf Varieties and What They Cost
Melbourne's climate suits a few turf varieties better than others, and the right pick affects both price and how much upkeep you'll do later.
Kikuyu is one of the cheapest options and handles full sun and heavy foot traffic well, making it a solid pick for family backyards. Sir Walter Buffalo costs a little more but copes with shade better than most varieties, which suits gardens with established trees.
Nullarbor Couch is another budget-friendly choice for sunny, low-maintenance lawns. Zoysia and premium varieties like Sir Grange sit at the top of the price range, chosen more for their year-round colour and finer texture than for cost savings.
| Turf Variety | Cost (Supply Only) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Nullarbor Couch | $9–$12 per m² | Full sun, low-maintenance lawns |
| Kikuyu | $9–$14 per m² | Full sun, high-traffic family backyards |
| TifTuf | $15–$18 per m² | Drought tolerance, fine texture |
| Sir Walter Buffalo | $14–$17 per m² | Shaded gardens, established trees |
| Zoysia | $15–$25 per m² | Premium lawns, warmer aspects |
| Sir Grange | $35–$38 per m² | Year-round colour, fine-textured finish |
Natural Turf vs Synthetic Turf Cost
Synthetic turf costs considerably more upfront than natural turf. Installed synthetic grass in Melbourne typically runs $70 to $150 per square metre, against $25 to $45 per square metre for natural turf.
The gap comes down to materials and base preparation, since synthetic turf needs a compacted drainage base underneath rather than just prepared soil. Many homeowners still choose it for low-traffic or hard-to-water areas, since it needs no mowing and holds up well through dry Melbourne summers.
Natural turf remains the cheaper option for most standard backyards and front lawns, especially where the ground is already in reasonable condition.
Why Site Preparation Changes the Price So Much
A finished lawn looks simple, but most of the cost sits in what happens before the turf arrives. Removing old grass, correcting the levels and checking drainage all take time and equipment, and Melbourne's clay-heavy soil in the inner and eastern suburbs often needs extra attention to drain properly.
Skipping proper preparation is the most common reason a new lawn fails within its first year. Getting the base right the first time is nearly always cheaper than replacing a lawn that didn't establish.
Our turf installation service includes ground preparation, levelling and drainage checks as standard, not as an optional extra.
Average Cost by Project Size
| Project Size | Typical Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Small area (10–20m², garden patch or side strip) | $300–$900 |
| Standard backyard (50–100m²) | $1,500–$4,500 |
| Larger property (150m²+) | $4,000–$9,000 |
These are general guides rather than fixed quotes. A site visit is the only accurate way to confirm your number, since access and soil condition can move the price meaningfully either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does turf cost per square metre in Melbourne? Turf alone typically costs $9 to $17 per square metre depending on variety. Supplied and installed, most Melbourne projects run $25 to $45 per square metre.
What's the cheapest turf variety for Melbourne lawns? Kikuyu and Nullarbor Couch are generally the most affordable, both suited to full-sun, high-traffic areas.
Is synthetic turf cheaper than natural turf long term? Synthetic costs more upfront, usually $70 to $150 per square metre installed, but needs no mowing or regular watering. Natural turf costs less initially but needs ongoing care to stay healthy.
Does soil condition really affect the price that much? Yes. Sites needing excavation, soil removal or drainage work can cost close to double a straightforward site that only needs levelling.
Get an Accurate Turf Quote
Turf pricing depends heavily on your specific site, so the ranges above are a starting point rather than a final number. TXR Landscaping Contractors provides turf installation and complete landscaping services across Melbourne's Brighton, Kew, Toorak, Armadale, Malvern, Camberwell, Beaumaris, Canterbury, Surrey Hills and Caulfield.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote based on your actual property.