How much does lawn mowing cost in Australia?

A beautiful, well-kept lawn adds to kerb appeal. Just as your home interior needs regular touch-ups and maintenance to look its best, your lawn does too. Lawn mowing costs typically range from $75 to $250. In this guide, you’ll learn about the factors that influence lawn care costs, plus tips to find the right service provider for your needs. 

What are the average costs of lawn mowing in Australia?

Depending on where you live, lawn mowing can cost from $30 to $95 for a small lawn, $70 to $115 for a medium-sized lawn, $80 to $210 for a large lawn, and $150 to $260 for acreage mowing.

Do take note that service providers have different ranges—small lawns can be as ‘large’ as 450 square metres.

How much do lawn mowing services cost per location?

Your lawn mowing bill can vary depending on where you live. Based on recent pricing data, lawn mowing commonly costs between $75 and $200 in Australia’s major capital cities, although larger or more complex jobs can fall outside these ranges.

This pricing difference can be attributed to several factors, including local demand for lawn care services, cost of living in each city, and provider availability. Moreover, a well-maintained lawn that is regularly mowed will typically cost less than a more extensive, overgrown yard that requires more intensive labour and time to restore. 

What other factors affect the cost of a lawn mowing service?

An expert lawn mower at work (Source: iStock)

Besides your location and lawn size, other factors influence lawn mowing costs. These include: 

Grass length

Grass length will affect costs, since longer, denser grass takes longer to mow. Whether you’re paying for lawn mowing cost per hour or as a packaged rate, you can expect your service provider to charge more. If your grass is overgrown, you may incur additional fees due to the extra time and effort required to achieve a clean cut. 

Additionally, longer grass can strain mowing equipment. Keeping your grass at a manageable length reduces mowing costs and promotes healthier growth. Regular maintenance can prevent grass from becoming too long and unmanageable, enabling quicker, more efficient mowing. 

Time of year

In summer, for example, you might need to mow your lawn every two weeks. In winter, mowing may only be required once a month. If you pay around $42 per mow, this could amount to approximately $250 over a three-month summer and $125 over winter. 

Seasonal variations can impact lawn mowing prices due to changes in demand. During peak seasons like spring and summer, higher demand may lead to increased rates. Conversely, in off-peak times, some providers might offer discounts to attract customers. Being aware of these seasonal trends can help homeowners better budget for lawn care throughout the year.

Terrain difficulty

The terrain of your yard will impact how much it costs to mow your lawn. For example, hilly or rocky terrain, or gardens with many paths, will require additional labour, fuel/battery power, or specialised equipment. Considering this, homeowners with difficult terrain should expect higher service charges due to the increased complexity of lawn maintenance.

When requesting quotes from providers, you should communicate any specific challenges related to your yard’s terrain. This transparency helps ensure accurate pricing and allows lawn care companies to prepare adequately for the job at hand. 

Equipment used

A day’s worth of lawn mowing work (Source: iStock)

Each type of lawn mowing equipment has different uses, so your lawn mower needs to know the size of your lawn to determine which is best for the job. Here’s a brief overview of the most common options:

When hiring a lawn mowing service, most will provide their equipment. But you can check if they can use your own push or ride-on mower. Just make sure your mower’s blades are nice and sharp!

Type of service

Lawn mowing can sometimes be bundled in with other lawn care solutions. Common additional services include edging, trimming, fertilisation, and weed control. 

Choosing a package deal can often lead to discounts compared to purchasing each service individually. Understanding these options helps homeowners get the best value for their lawn care while ensuring thorough maintenance for a healthier lawn.

Clipping removal

Mowing your lawn will leave a pile of grass clippings behind. Usually, your lawn mowing service provider will dispose of these via your preferred method. 

Mulching clippings back into the lawn is an eco-friendly way to enrich the soil and promote healthy grass growth at no extra cost. Alternatively, placing clippings in a green bin is a convenient choice, though it incurs a small fee. For those who prefer complete removal, off-site disposal is available at an additional charge. Understanding these options can help you choose the removal method that best suits you.

Business size

Lawn mowing rates vary depending on the lawn care provider’s business size. Solopreneurs generally charge lower rates than big garden maintenance companies. These larger lawn mowing companies usually incur additional costs, such as advertising, employee uniforms, and other operational expenses. 

When selecting a lawn care service, consider not only the price but also the level of personalised service you may receive from smaller businesses. Smaller providers can offer more tailored solutions and build closer client relationships. 

Travel time

The cost to mow your lawn will also depend on the lawn mowing professionals’ travel time to and from your location. This is because they’ll have to spend their workday driving to your location and will pay more for gas to tow heavy mowing equipment. 

To minimise travel-related costs, consider hiring local lawn care providers in your area. This will not only help reduce expenses but also support local businesses.

How do you hire a professional lawn mower? 

A lawn mower ready to keep any garden or yard looking its best (Source: iStock)

While mowing your lawn yourself is generally doable, it can be quite a chore when you have a busy schedule and lack the right equipment. That’s why it can be more beneficial to have a professional lawnmower to help you out. 

When hiring a professional lawn mower, you should get quotes from more than one service provider to pulse-check the average price of labour for lawn mowing services. Here are some tips to help you find the right one: 

• Reach out to multiple providers to weigh the pros/cons of each.

• Consider hiring a local lawnmower to reduce travel costs.

• Ask whether they offer free quotes based on photos of your lawn.

• Check their reviews or ask for references.

• See if they provide bundled lawn care services, such as hedge trimming, weeding, and tree lopping, or if they have contract-based services for regular mowing appointments.

What should you know about lawn care frequency?

Lawn care frequency will depend on the type of turf you have and the season. Maintaining your lawn between mows can improve your yard’s appearance and reduce mowing costs. Below are some tips for taking care of your lawn: 

• Let your lawn dry out between waterings.

• Water your lawn early in the morning or at dusk when it’s cooler.

• You can skip watering during the rainy season to avoid overwatering.

• Apply fertiliser during mid-spring (around October), in the summer (late January), and in autumn (late April).  

• Ask your lawnmower about lawn treatments for each season, such as spring moss removal and summer pest control. 

Post a task for lawn mowing on Airtasker

Maintaining that cropped turf look doesn’t have to be an expensive chore. By understanding the factors that affect lawn mowing costs and finding the right specialist, you can have a lawn that is a joy to look at and care for. 

When posting a lawn mowing task, understand the lawn mowing service prices listed above, know the size of your lawn, and check whether your garden needs any other maintenance. 

Got all your bases covered? You’re now ready to give the grass a fresh new look. Post a task and find a lawn mowing specialist in your area!