Landscaper salary in Australia

What the official data says

Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia both have a Landscape Gardener profile, but neither shows a median weekly earnings figure for the occupation from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). JSA notes that median earnings are not produced for some occupations. So if you see a landscaper salary quoted as an official government median, be sceptical.

For context, the JSA profile shows median full-time weekly earnings across all occupations of $1,852 (ABS, May 2025). JSA also shows landscape gardeners average about 42 hours a week in full-time work, so overtime and long days are part of the picture.

The award floor for qualified landscapers

Under the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020 (MA000101), the qualified tradesperson classification is Level 4. From 1 July 2026 the minimum is $1,119.10 a week for a full-time employee, or $29.45 an hour, before penalties, overtime and allowances. Level 5 is higher again for more senior roles.

If your work is landscaping on a building or civil construction project, the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020) may apply instead. It classifies landscaper separately and has its own rates and allowances, so check which award applies with your employer and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

What the median hides

• •Enterprise agreements: commercial contractors and councils often pay above the award
• •Overtime: deadline jobs and long summer days can add a lot to a weekly pay
• •Allowances: leading hand, tool, first aid and vehicle allowances all count
• •Machine skills: good skid steer and excavator operators are worth more to an employer
• •Remote and mining work: landscape and environmental rehabilitation can pay more, with travel and time away
• •Self-employment: licensed business owners can earn far more, or less, depending on quoting and how busy they are
• •Wet weather: rain days can cut your hours if you are casual or your employer sends you home

Residential, commercial and maintenance

Residential design and construct crews are usually on the award with some overtime. Commercial and civil work tends to pay better through agreements and site allowances, but the hours are dictated by the builder's program. Maintenance work is often steadier and more regular, with less overtime. Council jobs typically come with enterprise agreement pay and conditions.

Apprentice pay

Apprentice pay under MA000101 is a percentage of the qualified Level 4 rate that goes up each year of your apprenticeship. First and second year rates are higher if you have finished Year 12. Adult apprentices, meaning 21 or over when they start, have separate and higher minimum rates. If you were already working for the business before becoming an apprentice, you cannot have your pay cut.

We do not list dollar figures for apprentice pay because they change every 1 July and depend on your details. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator at https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/ to get your exact rate.

Extra money while you train

Because Landscape Gardener is on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List in the Housing Construction stream (from 1 April 2026), eligible apprentices may receive the Key Apprenticeship Program Apprentice Incentive and the Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment on top of wages. Rules change from 1 January 2027, so confirm with your Apprenticeship Connect Australia provider.

Check the live figures

Award rates change each 1 July, and JSA is moving its profiles to the new OSCA occupation codes. Before you rely on any number, check the current award, the Pay Calculator and the live Your Career page.