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Sydney price guide, 2026

How much does turf cost in Sydney?

A fresh lawn is the fastest way to lift a Sydney yard. Real turf is supplied and laid for roughly $25 to $40 per square metre once you add the grass and the labour, while synthetic lawn lands higher because the sub-base does the work. Here is what the numbers look like for a typical Sydney job.

What it costs

JobTypical Sydney rangeWhat it covers
Buffalo / Sir Walter turf (supply)$13 to $18 per m2Most popular Sydney lawn, soft and shade tolerant
Turf laying (labour)$12 to $22 per m2Site prep, level, lay and roll
Real turf, supplied and laid$25 to $40 per m2Grass plus labour for a standard prep
Synthetic lawn (supply)$25 to $55 per m2Pile height and quality drive the range
Synthetic turf install$40 to $75 per m2Sub-base prep plus laying

What affects the price

  • Access. A backyard you can only reach through the house costs more in labour than a front lawn off the street.
  • Prep. Killing off the old lawn, removing it, and bringing in fresh soil adds to the per-metre rate.
  • Turf type. Buffalo (Sir Walter) is the Sydney default; kikuyu and couch are cheaper but need more sun.
  • Levelling. A bumpy or sloped site needs more soil and screeding before turf goes down.

Common questions

How much is turf per square metre in Sydney?

Buffalo turf is supplied for about $13 to $18 per square metre, and laying it adds roughly $12 to $22 per square metre, so a finished lawn is commonly $25 to $40 per square metre including standard prep.

Is synthetic lawn cheaper than real turf?

Up front, no. Synthetic lawn is usually $65 to $130 per square metre installed because the crushed sub-base and compaction are the real cost. It saves on mowing and water over time, which is why many Sydney courtyards and pet areas choose it.

How long does a new lawn take to lay?

A standard Sydney backyard of 50 to 100 square metres is usually prepped and laid in one to two days. The lawn then needs two to three weeks of watering before heavy use.

Prices are typical Sydney ranges for 2026, drawn from the same rate card our estimator uses. Every job is different. For an exact figure on your own yard, upload a photo to the free tool and get a live price, then send it to local landscapers for real quotes.