The rule of thumb
A maintenance visit should never need to remove more than about a third of new growth. If it does, the schedule is too loose and every visit turns into hard cutting rather than upkeep — which costs more over a year, not less.
Typical frequencies for Sydney conditions
Most gardens suit fortnightly visits from September to April, when growth is fastest, dropping to three or four weekly from May to August. Properties with formal hedging, high-visibility entries or irrigated lawns in full sun often justify weekly attention, while low-planting native gardens can hold up well on a monthly cycle.
Matching frequency to the garden, not the calendar
The right frequency comes from what's actually growing on the property — species, aspect, soil and how the space is used — rather than a generic seasonal calendar. A site walk before the first visit is what sets an accurate schedule from day one.