Published 31 Mar 2023

How to Become a Landscaper in Australia

Michael Yi

Landscapers work outdoors and can be their own boss. Learn more about what a landscaper does.

Landscapers design and build outdoor spaces like yards, golf courses, and parks. As a landscaper, your job is to make the outdoor world more beautiful. The role offers freedom from the cubicle and the opportunity to be your own boss. You get to work outdoors in the fresh air and the natural world.

Landscapers may also be called landscape designers, landscape gardeners or landscape architects.

Landscapers can be employed by local governments or landscaping companies, but are also often self-employed and work as contractors or freelancers.

What does a landscaper do?

A landscaper job description may include all or a combination of the following duties:

Planning
You may draw out plans for outdoor spaces.
Implementing
You’ll organise it so your plans are put into reality. For example, ordering plants or materials, and building timelines for completion.
Installation
Outdoor spaces often include structures such as gazebos, sprinkler and irrigation systems, retaining walls, playground equipment, or barbecue pits, or other landmarks like ponds, water features, or fences. You’ll be involved in building these and, where necessary, will engage other workers to assist.
Planting
You may lay down seeds, bulbs, hedges, flowers, or trees and be involved in ensuring the growth is healthy and adds to the aesthetic of the space.
Preparing lawns
You may plant laws and undertake lawn care and mowing with a lawn mower in ways that promote growth and help people enjoy the space.
Maintenance
Living things often need TLC over time, and you may be involved in making sure that the original plan for the space is still being realised. This last duty overlaps with the role of gardeners or groundskeepers.

How much does a landscaper earn?

The median salary for a landscaper in Australia is $63,375.

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Stereotypically, white collar jobs are thought of as being the most lucrative. In reality, lots of blue collar jobs offer good security and wages. This is particularly the case when you have developed skills and experience. Experienced landscapers, for example, have reported earnings of $89,100.

Is landscaping a good career?

Landscapers are in demand for their skills and vision. Green spaces have a range of health benefits so are often seen by local governments as an affordable way to make people happier and healthier. There’s huge satisfaction in making someone’s home greener and more appealing. So too in playing a role in facilitating local sport events, walks in the park, and social gatherings.

That said, landscapers also face challenges. The role is physically demanding with plenty of heavy lifting, kneeling, and other difficult work postures. You also face the brunt of bad weather conditions – heat waves and thunderstorms can make the job more difficult.

Landscaping vs gardening

Landscapers may perform duties overlapping with gardeners, but the two jobs are distinct. Gardeners more specifically tend to plants. Gardeners are responsible for understanding horticulture, knowing what to prune and when, weeding, mulching, diagnosing growth issues, and appropriately applying pesticides and herbicides. Landscapers may also offer garden maintenance, but they’re more heavily involved in designing and building outdoor spaces.

How to become a landscaper in Australia

Landscapers don’t have specific educational requirements, but a Certificate III or IV in landscaping or horticulture is useful in becoming a landscaper. Courses can help you learn the necessary skills for the job, as well as strategies to stay healthy in a physically demanding job.

Here are the steps to get you on your way:

Talk to professional landscapers
The best way to find out what’s involved in a job and whether it’s right for you is to talk to people already in the role. Found out what they like about it as well as what some of the challenges are. Do they recommend it? Do they have any advice about what skills are useful? And, after talking to them, can you imagine yourself being a landscaper too?
Learn about landscaping
Landscape design has many elements. You can learn more about landscaping through a TAFE course. Other ways to learn include reading on the topic, finding YouTube videos about it, seeing if an experienced landscaper is willing to offer you mentorship or work experience, and on-the-job training. Find learning methods that work well for you.
Practice
You can try out your landscaping knowledge and skills on your own backyard, or ask a friend or family member if they’re willing to let you redesign theirs. On the job experience will allow you to experience a landscaping project in action.
Planting
You may lay down seeds, bulbs, hedges, flowers, or trees and be involved in ensuring the growth is healthy and adds to the aesthetic of the space.
Apply for jobs
Landscaping jobs may be listed on job search engines and council websites. You may also find jobs through your social networks.

Starting your own landscaping business

Landscapers can also look to starting their own business. The benefits of this option are being your own boss, deciding your own hours, and choosing jobs that most appeal to you. However, starting your own business can be challenging, especially as you’re getting started. Here are some helpful steps to consider:

Gain confidence as a landscaper
Although business owners can always ask others for advice, you ultimately need to rely on your own experience, judgement, and knowledge as a business-owner. It’s a good idea to feel comfortable with the role, either through education or on-the-job experience before starting on your own.
Understand how to run a business
Running a business involves a range of skills separate to landscaping. You need to be able to keep track of your hours worked, make and follow-up on invoices, ensure your business records are in order, and lodge tax returns. It’s a good idea to research what running a business involves, and maybe even take a course in small business management.
Make a business plan
A business plan is an overview of your business, its purpose, your day-to-day activities, and expected profit and loss. This allows you to have accurate expectations for your business and get feedback or apply for loans should you need any.
Get an ABN
In order to operate as a legal business entity, you need to be registered with the Australian Tax Office.
Marketing
When your business is up-and-running, marketing efforts will help you attract clients such as homeowners. Some of the best promotion strategies are free or inexpensive – like building word-of-mouth referrals; making dedicated social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram; setting up a website; and getting included in local business listings.

A career as a landscaper has some challenges, but also offers a solid income, the opportunity to work outside, and the opportunity to run your own business. With some research and enthusiasm, it’s a great option for people who like the idea of improving our outdoor environments.