What should a gardener actually cost you?
Ten questions, no forms, no sales call. Drag the sliders and watch the number build itself — what a visit costs, what a year of it costs, and how many hours of actual work you’re paying for. Every figure includes GST, because a price that doesn’t isn’t a price.
Your estimate
$0Move any slider to begin.
Where the money actually goes
Gardening is sold by the visit but costed by the hour. This is how your garden turns into hours, and how those hours turn into a price.
That’s the maths. Now let’s walk the garden.
A calculator can’t see your side gate, your slope, or what’s hiding in the long grass. Ten minutes on site turns this range into a fixed price you can hold us to — and we’ll tell you honestly if a smaller job would do.
Book a free quoteNo obligation, no lock-in contract, and we’ll confirm access, waste and any height work before you commit to anything.
Melbourne prices, 2026
How much does garden maintenance cost in Melbourne?
Gardeners sell by the visit but price the job by the hour. On a standard 350–650 m² suburban block, a fortnightly mow, edge and tidy typically costs around $115–$140 a visit.
Full garden maintenance, with beds weeded, hedges shaped and shrubs pruned, is closer to$210–$275 a visit. A one-off clean-up costs more per hour, because the travel, set-up and tip runs all fall on a single visit. Every figure includes GST.
Know your number before you call a gardener
Answer ten quick questions and get a GST-inclusive price range per visit and per year for your own garden.
What drives the price
What makes a garden cheaper or dearer to maintain?
Two gardens the same size can be priced very differently. It usually comes down to these five things:
- Lawn or garden beds — lawn is quick to mow; beds need slow hand weeding and pruning.
- Condition — an overgrown garden can cost around one and a half times a routine visit.
- Access and slope — narrow paths, no parking, stairs and steep blocks all add time.
- Green waste — you pay the tip fee plus the time it takes to get there.
- How often — more visits a year, but each one is quicker and cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gardener cost per hour in Melbourne?
Most Melbourne gardeners charge from about $65 an hour for basic mowing up to around $135 an hour for a qualified horticulturist, including GST. Regular garden maintenance usually sits between $75 and $110 an hour.
How often should I get my garden maintained?
Fortnightly is the most common arrangement in Melbourne and keeps most gardens under control. Weekly suits a lawn you care about in spring and summer, while monthly is usually enough for garden beds and shrubs.
Why does a one-off clean-up cost more than a regular visit?
A single visit carries all its own travel, set-up and tip runs, and usually starts with a garden that has got away. On a regular plan those costs are spread across the year, so each visit is quicker and cheaper.
Is green waste removal included in the price?
Often it isn’t, so ask. Removal is charged for the tip fee plus the time spent driving to the transfer station. Leaving clippings on site or in your own green bin is the cheapest option.
Do gardening prices include GST?
They should. Businesses registered for GST have to show consumers a total price that includes it. If a quote doesn’t say, ask before you accept. Every figure in our calculator includes GST.
Is the calculator’s estimate a quote?
No. It is an indicative range based on published 2026 Melbourne rates. Your final price depends on things only a site visit can show, such as access, slope and what’s under the long grass.
Ready to price your garden?
It takes about two minutes, with no sign-up and no sales call.