Do I need council approval for landscaping in South Australia?

Most planting, paving and irrigation work does not need approval. Retaining walls over one metre, anything that changes natural drainage, work in the heritage zone, and changes that affect significant trees need Development Plan consent. Check your council planning portal before signing.

How much should I budget as a percentage of my build?

Three to seven per cent of your total build budget is a healthy landscaping allowance for a new home. On a 600000 dollar build that is roughly $18,000 to $42,000, which covers the essentials but not a pool or pavilion.

Can I do landscaping in stages after handover?

Yes, and most people do. Start with anything that touches the house and slab edges (paving, retaining, drainage), then lawn, then garden beds, then hard features last. Leave temporary mulch over bare soil to stop erosion in stage gaps.

What is a fire safe garden in Australia?

In bushfire prone areas (BAL 12.5 and higher), keep flammable mulches like pine bark at least three metres from the house, prefer pebbles or stone close to walls, plant low oil plants like succulents, and keep tree canopies pruned away from windows and gutters.

Is artificial turf a good idea?

Artificial turf saves water and weekly mowing but gets very hot (60 to 70 degrees Celsius surface temperature in Adelaide summer), needs replacement at the ten to fifteen year mark, and is not recycled. It works for shaded courtyards and small areas only.

Who installs landscape lighting?

Low voltage (12 volt) garden lighting can be installed by a landscaper or competent homeowner. Anything connected to mains power must be installed by a licensed electrician under AS/NZS 3000.

Landscaping

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Landscaping for Australian Homes

Your guide to landscaping for australian homes - building guidance for Adelaide and South Australia.

BPBuildPilot Editorial5 min readLast updated Feb 2026

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Content scope

This guide has been reviewed for South Australia (Adelaide metro + regional SA). Building licensing, warranty, stamp duty and approval rules differ in other Australian states — verify against your local authority before acting.

Landscaping is usually the last line item on an Australian build, and it is often the one that gets squeezed. That is a mistake. A thoughtful landscape lifts kerb appeal, improves the way the home lives day to day, and protects the slab from erosion and water damage. It also has a real impact on energy use, with the right tree placement cutting summer cooling loads by ten to twenty per cent. This guide covers the decisions an Australian homeowner needs to make before signing a landscape contract, including paving and decking choices, retaining walls, lawn versus native garden trade offs, irrigation systems, and pool surrounds. Most numbers below are 2025 and 2026 Adelaide and broader Australian metro pricing for supply and install.

At a glance

Native low water garden

$45 to $90

Homeowners who want low ongoing maintenance and water bills

Lawn and edging

$28 to $55

Families with kids who use the yard daily

Paved courtyard

$90 to $220

Outdoor dining, BBQ areas, low maintenance side yards

Read time

5 min

Including FAQ and supplier shortlist.

Key takeaways

Budget three to seven per cent of your total build for landscaping, more if you want a pool
Get a soil test before you sign a contract, especially in Adelaide reactive clay zones
Native and low water gardens cost a third as much in ongoing water as a traditional lawn
Retaining walls over one metre in South Australia need engineered design and council approval

Things to consider before you choose

Plain practical advice for Australian builds. No fluff.

Climate zone and water restrictions

Australian climate ranges from cool temperate in Tasmania and the Adelaide Hills through to hot dry in the inland and tropical in the north. Plant selection that ignores your zone will fail in the first hot summer. Check your council water restrictions and design around any permanent rules, especially in South Australia where surface water restrictions are common.

Soil type and drainage

Adelaide reactive clay soils swell and shrink with moisture, which lifts paving and cracks slabs over time. Get a soil test (about $350 to $550), and budget for free draining sand or gravel under paving and for ag drains on sloping blocks.

Lawn versus native garden

A traditional couch or buffalo lawn uses around 700 to 1,200 litres of water per square metre per year in Adelaide. Native garden beds with mulched groundcovers use around a third of that. If you want lawn, keep it to a defined functional area.

Paving versus decking

Paving stones cost less per square metre (around $90 to $220 supply and install) and last longer than timber decking, but they soak up heat and can be uncomfortable underfoot in summer. Decking is cooler but needs annual oiling and replacement of fixings every ten to fifteen years.

Retaining walls

Anything over one metre high in South Australia needs council approval and an engineered design. Use treated timber for cheap (around $280 to $420 per square metre face area), reinforced concrete block (around $450 to $700), or natural stone for premium (around $700 to $1,200).

Irrigation

A simple drip and sprinkler system with a battery controller runs around $1,500 to $3,500 installed for a typical 500 square metre block. Smart wifi controllers add about $250 to $450 but cut water use by another twenty to thirty per cent.

Trees and shading

A deciduous tree on the north and west sides of the house shades windows in summer and lets winter sun through. Allow at least one metre of clear soil around each tree and check where underground services run before planting.

Pool surrounds

If you have a pool, the surround must be slip resistant (R10 or higher), heat tolerant, and chemical resistant. Travertine and porcelain pavers are the most popular Australian choices. Budget around $8,000 to $18,000 extra to landscape around a typical pool.

Want help finding the right landscaper in your area? BuildPilot can shortlist verified landscapers based on your build.

Types of landscaping for australian homes

Quick compare

	Native low water garden	Lawn and edging	Paved courtyard
Typical cost	$45 to $90 per m2 supply and install	$28 to $55 per m2 turf and prep	$90 to $220 per m2 supply and install
Best for	Homeowners who want low ongoing maintenance and water bills	Families with kids who use the yard daily	Outdoor dining, BBQ areas, low maintenance side yards

Native low water garden

A garden bed of Australian natives and drought tolerant exotics with thick mulch and drip irrigation only.

Typical cost: $45 to $90 per m2 supply and install

Pros

• Very low ongoing water and fertiliser cost
• Attracts native birds and pollinators
• Looks established within two to three seasons

Cons

• Less lush, less green than a traditional lawn
• Some natives drop messy leaf litter year round

Best for: Homeowners who want low ongoing maintenance and water bills

Lawn and edging

Buffalo (Sir Walter or Palmetto) or couch over a sand and soil base, with metal or concrete edging.

Typical cost: $28 to $55 per m2 turf and prep

Pros

• Soft underfoot for kids and pets
• Cools the immediate area by two to four degrees in summer

Cons

• Needs weekly mowing in summer
• High water and fertiliser use

Best for: Families with kids who use the yard daily

Paved courtyard

Concrete, porcelain, travertine, or natural stone pavers over a compacted base.

Typical cost: $90 to $220 per m2 supply and install

Pros

• Very low maintenance
• Lasts 25 plus years
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Heat retention in summer can be intense
• Cracks if base settles unevenly

Best for: Outdoor dining, BBQ areas, low maintenance side yards

Timber decking

Hardwood (spotted gum, blackbutt, merbau) or composite decking on treated pine bearers.

Typical cost: $280 to $480 per m2 supply and install

Pros

• Warm and soft underfoot
• Visually softens hard architecture

Cons

• Needs oiling every twelve to eighteen months
• Hardwood costs have risen 30 per cent in five years

Best for: Raised entertaining areas off the living room

Vegetable garden and orchard

Raised beds and fruit trees with drip irrigation and compost stations.

Typical cost: $1,800 to $4,500 for a starter set up

Pros

• Fresh produce
• Engaging for kids
• Teaches kids about food

Cons

• Needs weekly hands on time
• Birds and possums will eat most fruit unless netted

Best for: Homeowners with time and a north facing strip of yard

Hedging and screening

Lilly Pilly, Murraya, Buxus, or bamboo planted to block neighbours or street noise.

Typical cost: $45 to $120 per linear metre planted

Pros

• Soft natural screen
• Improves privacy without legal fence height limits

Cons

• Takes two to four years to reach full height
• Lilly Pilly is prone to psyllid attack

Best for: Suburban blocks where line of sight matters

How much does it cost in Australia?

A small front yard refresh in Adelaide (turf, two trees, some shrubs and mulch) starts at around $3,500 to $6,500. A full landscape package on a new 450 square metre block, with paving, fencing, lawn, retaining and basic irrigation, runs $25,000 to $55,000. High end design led work with custom pools, stone retaining and mature trees easily passes $100,000. Always get itemised quotes and watch for soft costs like soil removal (around $80 to $130 per cubic metre to truck away), engineered drawings for retaining over one metre (around $1,500 to $3,500), and council fees if you are touching the verge. Supply only versus supply and install can mean a 35 to 50 per cent difference, so price both ways. Most landscapers will quote a fixed price after a site visit. Variation orders mid project are where budgets blow out, so finalise your design before they start.

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping the soil test and watching paving lift after the first wet season
Choosing thirsty exotic plants without checking your water bill projection
Putting in a deck without thinking about how it will be re-oiled or replaced in fifteen years
Forgetting irrigation power points and ag drain connection during the build phase
Building a retaining wall over one metre without council approval (it becomes your liability if it fails)
Planting trees too close to slabs, pipes, or boundaries
Ignoring the bushfire BAL rating when selecting mulch and fencing materials in rural fringe areas

Avoid these mistakes by working with listed suppliers from BuildPilot's directory.

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Landscaping

Landscaping for Australian Homes

Things to consider before you choose

Climate zone and water restrictions

Soil type and drainage

Lawn versus native garden

Paving versus decking

Retaining walls

Irrigation

Trees and shading

Pool surrounds

Types of landscaping for australian homes

Native low water garden

Lawn and edging

Paved courtyard

Timber decking

Vegetable garden and orchard

Hedging and screening

How much does it cost in Australia?

Common mistakes to avoid

Trades who work with landscaping for australian homes

Popular questions

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