What a landscaper salary means when you read a job ad

What does "landscaper salary" mean in a job ad?

When you see a job ad for a landscaper, the salary figure can be a starting point for negotiation. It might be an annual salary, an hourly rate, or a range. To understand whether the offer is fair, you need to know the award minimums and how they compare to the national line. The national line is the index 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A landscaper salary under the award sits well below that line, but actual pay can vary.

Award minimums for landscapers

The Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020 covers most employers in the gardening and landscaping industry. It sets minimum rates for classifications from Introductory Level to Level 5. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates are:

• Introductory Level: $25.74 per hour ($978.10 per week)
• Level 1: $26.44 ($1,004.90)
• Level 2: $27.08 ($1,029.10)
• Level 3: $28.28 ($1,074.70)
• Level 4: $29.45 ($1,119.10)
• Level 5: $30.38 ($1,154.30)

These are the minimums for full-time and part-time adult employees. Casual employees get a 25% loading, so the casual hourly rates range from $32.18 (Introductory) to $37.98 (Level 5). The award also specifies penalty rates for overtime, public holidays, and other circumstances.

Comparing offers: award vs market

A job ad might offer a salary above the award. For example, a Level 5 full-time landscaper at minimum earns about $60,023 per year ($1,154.30 × 52 weeks). That's an index of about 55 on the index (55.4). That is well below the national line of 100. If an ad offers $70,000, that's index 64.6, still below average. Many experienced landscapers with qualifications or in high-demand areas may earn more. The states index shows that location matters: Western Australia (106.9) and ACT (109.9) have higher benchmarks, while Tasmania (88.6) lower. So a landscaper salary in WA might be higher than award.

How the salary index helps

The Salary Index lets you compare any salary against the national line. If you see a landscaper salary of $75,000, divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. That gives index 69.2. That's below the national line. A salary of $85,000 gives index 78.5. The national line is 100. The index is a benchmark, not a quote for a person.

State and industry context

Landscaping is not its own industry index in our data, but related industries like construction (professional services index 114.7) or retail (75.9) give context. Landscaping is closer to construction or agriculture. The industries page shows mining (154.7) highest, accommodation and food services (72.5) lowest. Landscaping likely sits in between.

Tax and super considerations

A landscaper salary is before tax. For 2026-27, resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy 2%. For a Level 1 landscaper earning $60,023, tax on about $41,000, take-home about $41,000. Super guarantee 12% from 1 July 2026 adds to the salary. The award requires employer contributions to a fund like AustralianSuper or similar.

Reading a job ad: what to look for

Look for the classification level in the ad. If the ad says "Landscaper" or "Gardener". The award covers that classification. Compare to award rates. If the ad offers an annual salary, divide by 52 weeks to get hourly rate. For $70,000, that's $1,346 per week, which is above Level 5. That suggests above award.

Conclusion

A landscaper salary under award is around $25.74 to $30.38 per hour, annualised $52,000 to $60,000. That's index 48 to 55. Actual salaries can be higher, especially for qualified or experienced workers. Use the pay guides to check award rates, and compare to the national line using how the index works. The topics page has more on salary comparisons.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for a landscaper in Australia?

Under the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020, from 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for an adult full-time landscaper is $25.25 (Introductory Level) up to $30.38 (Level 5). Weekly rates range from $978.10 to $1,154.10 per week. Casual rates include a 25% loading.

How does a landscaper salary compare to the national average?

Full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $108,352 per year (index 100). An award-level landscaper at Level 5 full-time earns about $60,023 per year (index around 55. This is well below the national line, but many landscapers earn above award, though no median figure is published.

Do landscapers get super and super guarantee?

Yes, the award requires employer super contributions to avoid super guarantee charge. From 1 July 2026, super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 1 full-time landscaper earning $1004.90/week, super adds about $120.59 per week.