Gardener (General)

A gardener tends, cultivates, and maintains ornamental gardens, parks, and landscaped grounds in residential, commercial, or public settings across Australia. They perform planting, pruning, irrigation management, and pest control using hand tools and machinery, working to seasonal calendars and client specifications. The role requires knowledge of plant species suited to Australian climates, soil preparation, and turf maintenance.

Dig, prepare, and amend soil using spades, forks, and tillers to establish beds and improve drainage. Plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals according to garden plans and climate zone requirements. Prune and trim hedges, trees, and shrubs using secateurs, loppers, and mechanical trimmers to maintain shape and health. Water gardens using hose systems, sprinklers, and drip irrigation, adjusting schedules for seasonal rainfall and plant needs. Mow and edge lawns using ride-on and push mowers, maintaining appropriate height and striping patterns. Apply organic and chemical fertilisers, mulches, and soil conditioners according to plant type and growth stage. Identify and treat plant diseases, pest infestations, and weeds using approved pesticides and herbicides in compliance with APVMA regulations. Construct and maintain garden features including raised beds, borders, pathways, and retaining walls using stone, timber, and pavers.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Your back and knees will take a beating from daily digging, kneeling, and repetitive bending. Most positions are casual or part-time, so steady income is hard to guarantee, especially in winter when work dries up. You'll also be exposed to chemicals and pesticides, weather extremes, and physical injury from machinery.

Work concentrates in major cities and wealthy suburbs where residential and commercial landscaping demand is highest. Regional areas have fewer positions unless you work for councils or large estates. Most work is local and site-based, not remote.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Advise customers on types of flowers
• Advise on plant fertilizer
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Customer Needs Assessment
• Process Improvement Identification
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Supplier Communication
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Gardener (General) workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026