How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost? [2026 Price Guide]
Artificial grass gives you a vibrant, green lawn year-round, with minimal maintenance and no watering or mowing. With the added benefit of high durability, it can make spaces more usable and aesthetically appealing. But how good it looks and how long-lasting it is, will be determined by two things – the quality of both what you buy and the installation.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost?
The average cost of artificial grass and synthetic turf in Australia ranges from as little as $80 per square metre up to more than $180 per square metre.
Not all artificial grass is the same, which is why there is a large discrepancy in the price. On average, most high-quality synthetic turf will cost between $120 and $150 per square metre.
If you are paying significantly less than this, then you may be getting a lower-quality product, poor installation, or a product that is not backed by a reputable company or warranty.
Artificial Grass Price Tiers
Cheap: $60 - $100
Artificial grass that costs between $60 and $100 per square metre is at the lower end of the scale. At this price range, you are making significant sacrifices on the quality of the turf, and likely the quality and reputation of the installer. Artificial turf in this price range is likely to look cheap and off-colour and resemble the old-school AstroTurf that many people envision when they think of artificial grass.
Average: $100 - $130
Synthetic turf that falls between $100 and $130 per square metre is considered mid-range. This price point will give you a quality artificial grass that’s dense, natural looking and made with a quality backing. You can expect it to be soft underfoot and be highly durable. On the installation side, you would likely be getting an experienced operator that knows how to prepare the site properly to give you a great looking, durable lawn.
Premium: $130 - $180
At the upper end of the price range you’re looking at the plushest and most durable products on the market, often made for commercial, high-use applications. Apart from looking like the real thing, it will feel nice underfoot, made from premium materials that will last in excess of a decade. The site preparation and installation will be of the highest standard, meaning you can be confident of optimum drainage and finishing.
What’s a Reasonable Price for Artificial Grass Per m²?
A reasonable price for fully supplied and laid artificial grass is the mid-range cost of 100-130 per square metre. This represents a high-quality product with professional installation for a standard residential yard.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Artificial Grass
Size & area
The materials, such as the grass, sand and road base, are sold on a per metre or per tonne basis, and the labour on a per hour or day rate. Therefore, the larger the area, the higher the cost. Certain costs may be amortised across a big site, such as the materials used to prepare the ground. For example, the cost per tonne of sand is much cheaper than buying 20kg bags.
Quality of the turf
The quality of the artificial grass that you choose will impact the cost of purchase. However, the better the product, not only the more premium the finish, but the longer it will last. For most home applications, the mid-range artificial grasses will suffice, but the more you think the space will be used and the more visible it is on an everyday basis, the better the product you should invest in.
Quality of installation
With everything in life, you get what you pay for. So as much as the cost of the synthetic turf you choose will impact its quality, so too does how much you pay for installation. Yes, it’s not always the case, but if you use a reputable company and check their reviews, you can get a good idea of what to expect.
Site accessibility
If the site is an awkward shape, in a hard to access location or has trees or garden beds that need to be worked around, then the installation time will be longer. Terraces or units with no rear lane access can prove challenging for removing waste and bringing material in, so expect added installation and cleanup time.
Preparation work required
The groundwork to prepare the site might require the removal of old turf, soil and other material. If there are pavers or concrete slabs to be removed, it can take a lot more time to get the area ready for the artificial grass. Also, depending on the drainage requirements and the quality of the installation, there may be a need for sand and road base to be brought in and compacted.
Warranty & after sales service
A quality artificial grass and installation service will come with a warranty to cover the materials and work. Sometimes you may be offered an extension of the warranty or ongoing after sales service for an added cost. You should expect at least a 5 years warranty for the grass itself.
Final thoughts
Artificial grass has come a long way from the cheap astroturf of the past. Today it not only looks realistic but feels it too. If you’re thinking of installing some in your property, choose a product that’s durable, looks great and can be installed by experienced tradespeople. Invest in the best your budget allows and you’ll be repaid with something that looks amazing, feels great underfoot, is durable and makes the space more usable.
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