How much does lawn mowing cost in Australia?

A beautiful, well-kept lawn is great for kerb appeal. Just like your home interior, your lawn needs regular touch-ups and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Lawn mowing costs typically range from $20 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, the cost of mowing a lawn can range from $30 to $90 for a small lawn, $65 to $110 for a medium-sized lawn, $75 to $200 for large lawns, and $140 to $250 for acreage mowing.

Do take note that different 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 your home’s location. Cities like Perth, for example, have a lower average cost per square metre versus Brisbane.

This difference in pricing can be attributed to several factors, including local demand for lawn care services, the cost of living in each city, and the availability of service providers. In metropolitan areas where competition is high. Moreover, a well-maintained lawn that is regularly mowed will typically incur lower costs than a larger, 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 impact costs since high, dense 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 higher. 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 not only reduces mowing costs but also promotes healthier growth. Regular maintenance can prevent grass from becoming too long and unmanageable, allowing for quicker and more efficient mowing sessions. 

Time of year

In summer, for example, you will need to mow your lawn every two weeks. In winter, mowing is usually done once a month. So if you’re paying $40 per mow, this could amount to approximately $240 for the whole summer and $120 in 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 budget better for their 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 involved in maintaining their lawns.

When requesting quotes from service 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, advantages, and disadvantages. Your lawn mower will need to know the size of your lawn to determine which type is best to bring to perform the job, Here’s a brief overview of the most common options:

Push mower

• Best for: Smaller lawns

• Advantages:

  • No need for protective gear

  • Lightweight and easy to transport

  • Lower carbon footprint

• Disadvantages:

  • Not suitable for rough or uneven terrain

Ride-on mower

• Best for: Large properties

• Advantages:

  • Efficiently mows large areas quickly

  • Adjustable cutting heights for versatility

• Disadvantages:

  • More difficult to transport

  • Requires more skill to manoeuvre effectively

Whipper snipper (String trimmer)

• Best for: Edging and trimming

• Uses:

  • Creates a neat finish along lawn edges

  • Ideal for trimming hedges and hard-to-reach areas

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 services. 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.

Clippings removal/disposal

Mowing your lawn will leave a pile of grass clippings behind. Usually, your lawn mowing service provider will take care of disposing 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, offsite disposal is available for a higher charge. Understanding these options can help you choose the best removal method you prefer.

Business size

Lawn mowing rates will also vary based on the lawn care provider's business size. Solopreneurs will generally have more affordable rates than big garden maintenance companies. This is because these bigger lawn mowing companies will usually have additional costs, such as advertising, employee uniforms, and other operational costs. 

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 relationships with their clients. 

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 out to your location and spend more on gas to carry 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 on your own, 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 service provider: 

• Reach out to multiple service providers so you can weigh the pros/cons of each.

• Consider hiring a local lawnmower for better familiarity with your local climate needs, plus less travel costs.

• Ask if they provide free quotes based on pictures 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, the season, and your desired appearance. Maintaining your lawn regularly in between mows can improve your yard’s look and lower mowing costs. Below are some tips for taking care of your lawn include: 

• Let your lawn dry out between watering.

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

• You can opt to skip watering during the rainy season to avoid over-watering.

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

• Mow your lawn every two weeks in the summer, and once a month during winter. 

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

Post a task for lawn mowing on Airtasker

Maintaining that cropped turf look doesn’t have to be an expensive chore. By knowing what factors affect lawn mowing costs and learning how to find the right specialist, your lawn can be a joy to look at and care for. 

When posting a task for a lawn mowing specialist, make sure to understand the lawn mowing service prices shared above, know the size of your lawn, and see if your garden needs any other kinds of maintenance services. 

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!