How do I get free trees from the City of Sydney?

City of Sydney runs an annual Free Tree Giveaway each March, handing out over 1,000 trees. Residents can take up to 2 trees per household. Check the What's On Sydney events page for the next date.

How do I get free native plants from the Greater Sydney Free Tree Program?

The NSW Government's Greater Sydney Free Tree Program, run through Indigigrow, provides up to 4 free trees per household. Species include finger lime, lemon myrtle and native thyme. The program covers 33 Greater Sydney LGAs including the Blue Mountains.

How do I get subsidised compost bins in NSW?

Multiple NSW councils partner with Compost Revolution to offer 50 to 80 percent off compost bins, worm farms and bokashi systems. Participating councils include Sutherland Shire, Inner West, North Sydney, Ku-ring-gai, Randwick, Waverley and Mosman. Enter your address at compostrevolution.com.au to check eligibility.

How do I get free native seedlings from Sutherland Shire Council?

Sutherland Shire ratepayers receive a voucher for 2 free native seedlings with their annual rates notice each July. Redeem the voucher at the council's Community Nursery, which also sells wholesale-priced native plants grown from local seed year-round.

What is the Randwick Native Havens Program?

The Native Havens Program gives Randwick residents free garden design advice and native plants worth up to $100 per household. Schools can receive up to $300 in plants. The program aims to increase biodiversity across the Randwick local government area.

New South Wales: Free Plants, Rebates and Garden Freebies

Q: How do I get free plants from Northern Beaches Council?

Northern Beaches Council propagates over 25,000 local native plants each year and delivers them free to residents. Around 2,000 to 3,000 plants go to approximately 1,000 households annually. Apply through the council's Native Plants for Your Home page.

Every free plant program, garden rebate and freebie from NSW councils. Sydney to Wollongong, pick your council and start claiming.

Programs verified June 2026

← All states and territories

City of Sydney free plants and rebates

Free Tree Giveaway

Event

1,000+ free trees, limit 2 per household

Who: City of Sydney residents.

When: Annual event held each March. Check the What's On Sydney events page for the next date.

How: Turn up on the day and collect your trees. Popular species go fast, so arrive early.

Check dates →

The March giveaway is a single-day event and trees go quickly. Set a calendar reminder so you do not miss it.

Randwick City Council free plants and rebates

Native Havens Program

Free Plants

Free garden design advice + native plants (up to $100 for residents, $300 for schools)

Who: Randwick residents and local schools.

How: Apply through the council's Native Havens page. You get a tailored garden design consultation and native plants delivered to boost local biodiversity.

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Community Nursery

Service

Low-cost native plants + free tree planting kits on National Tree Day

How: Visit the Randwick Community Nursery for affordable local natives. Free tree planting kits are available during National Tree Day events in late July.

Learn more →

PermaBee Community Gardening

Program

Free community gardening sessions, Friday mornings 9am to 12:30pm

Who: Open to everyone.

How: Turn up on Friday mornings. The PermaBee program runs regular community gardening sessions where you learn permaculture techniques and help maintain the garden.

Learn more →

Sutherland Shire Council free plants and rebates

Free Native Seedlings

Free Plants

2 free native seedlings per household via voucher with annual rates notice

Who: Sutherland Shire ratepayers.

When: Vouchers arrive with your rates notice each July.

How: Redeem your voucher at the council's Community Nursery. The nursery sells wholesale-priced native plants grown from local seed year-round.

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The voucher arrives with your July rates notice. Redeem it early for the best selection at the Community Nursery.

Greenweb Grants

Rebate

Grants for ecological restoration on private land (20+ year program)

Who: Property owners in the Greenweb network within Sutherland Shire.

How: Apply through the Greenweb program page. Grants fund native planting, weed removal and habitat restoration on private land. The program has been running for over 20 years.

Learn more →

Northern Beaches Council free plants and rebates

Free Native Plants for Homes

Free Plants

Free local native plants delivered to your door (25,000+ propagated annually)

Who: Northern Beaches residents.

How: Apply through the council's backyard habitat page. Council propagates over 25,000 local native plants each year and delivers them free to residents. Around 2,000 to 3,000 plants go to approximately 1,000 households annually.

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Northern Beaches delivers the plants to you. This is one of the most generous free plant programs in Greater Sydney.

Wollongong free plants and rebates

Greenplan Nursery Plant Sales

Service

Subsidised local natives sold third Friday of each month

Who: Open to everyone. Schools and not-for-profits can request up to 30 free plants per financial year.

How: Attend the monthly plant sale at Wollongong Botanic Garden. Greenplan Nursery grows local native species at subsidised prices. Schools and community organisations should contact the nursery directly for free allocations.

Check sale dates →

Northern Rivers (Rous County Council) rebates

Water Tank Rebate

Rebate

Up to $1,000 based on tank volume, plus additional if connected to toilets or laundry

Who: Rous County Council town water customers. Tanks must be installed between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2026.

How: Apply through the Rous County Council website with proof of tank purchase and installation. Rebate amount depends on tank size, with a bonus if the tank is plumbed into toilets or laundry.

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Statewide Programs

These apply across New South Wales, no matter which council you are in.

Greater Sydney Free Tree Program (NSW Government)

Free Plants

Up to 4 free trees per household (finger lime, lemon myrtle, native thyme and more)

Who: Residents in 33 Greater Sydney LGAs, including the Blue Mountains.

How: Run through Indigigrow. Order your free trees via the program page. Species include finger lime, lemon myrtle, native thyme and other Australian natives.

Claim this →

The program covers 33 LGAs. Even if you are in the Blue Mountains or outer suburbs, check your eligibility. Finger limes and lemon myrtles are great edible picks.

Compost Revolution Subsidies

Rebate

50 to 80% off compost bins, worm farms and bokashi systems

Who: Residents in participating council areas. Councils include Sutherland Shire, Inner West, North Sydney, Ku-ring-gai, Randwick, Waverley and Mosman.

How: Enter your address at compostrevolution.com.au to check eligibility. Complete a short online tutorial, then order your subsidised bin or worm farm. Your council covers the rest.

Check eligibility →

Greening our City Grant (NSW Government)

Program

Up to $10M total for councils to boost urban canopy

Who: NSW councils apply for funding. Residents benefit through increased street trees, park plantings and green infrastructure in their area.

How: Councils submit proposals. If your council has received a grant, you will see more tree planting in your neighbourhood. Check the NSW Government grants page for funded projects.

Learn more →

National Tree Day Giveaways (late July)

Event

Free plants at council events across the state

Most councils run free plant giveaways for National Tree Day in late July each year. Check your council's events calendar or the Planet Ark site for local events near you.

Find events →

Entitlements reset every July

Get the updated list (and what to plant with your free haul) once a year when programs refresh.

Got your free plants? Now plan your garden.

See exactly what to plant this month in Sydney with the free Planting Season calendar.

View the Sydney planting calendar →