A Landscape Gardener in Australia typically works in environments ranging from residential properties to public parks, collaborating closely with horticulturists and landscape architects to design and maintain aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. This occupation often involves the use of native Australian plants, which is a distinctive aspect of the practice compared to other countries where native flora might not be as integral to landscape projects.
Landscape Gardener is a skilled occupation on Australia's Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This occupation is eligible for the points-tested Subclass 190 and 491 visas (state or territory nomination required). It is not currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and therefore not eligible for employer-sponsored visas via the standard 482 Core Skills stream.
Local councils in Victoria are actively hiring Landscape Gardeners to enhance green spaces in urban areas. The Victorian Government's $154 million commitment to the Suburban Parks Program is driving this demand by creating new parks and improving existing ones. Expertise in sustainable water management practices is the skill most sought after by employers.
In Australia, Landscape Gardeners are required to adhere strictly to the use of native plants in their designs due to local biodiversity regulations and ecological considerations, which can be a significant departure from the practices in the UK, South Africa, India, or the Philippines where the use of exotic plants might be more common or unrestricted. This emphasis on native species is less prominent in those countries, where landscape design may be more focused on aesthetic or functional preferences rather than ecological impact. To adjust, overseas-trained Landscape Gardeners should spend time familiarising themselves with Australian native plant species and understanding their growth habits, soil preferences, and ecological benefits to incorporate these into their landscape designs effectively.
Pay increases for Landscape Gardeners in Australia are primarily driven by obtaining a Cert III in Landscape Construction, which can significantly improve salary levels. Senior roles like Landscape Manager, known for overseeing large commercial projects, are particularly well-compensated due to their complexity and scope in the Australian market. There is a noticeable pay gap between regional areas and urban centres, with metropolitan positions often offering higher salaries due to increased living costs.
New South Wales shows strong demand due to urban green space projects driven by city council initiatives. In Western Australia, mining rehabilitation programmes necessitate landscape gardeners for ecological restoration efforts.
There is no national licensing body for Landscape Gardeners in Australia, but state-specific certifications may be required.
VETASSESS assesses overseas qualifications against the AQF Certificate III in Landscape Construction, which is often expected by employers for skilled roles.
A Landscape Gardener can aspire to roles such as Landscape Supervisor or Landscape Architect by pursuing further education in landscape design and management.
Entry AUD $55,000 → Senior AUD $95,000, driven by certification and project management experience.
A significant barrier is the need to adapt to Australian plant species and climate considerations in design projects.
The 5-year outlook is positive, supported by increasing investments in sustainable urban development and biodiversity conservation projects.
Emphasis on sustainable practices using native plants is most distinctive for overseas gardeners.
Landscape Gardeners face moderate competition on the points test, often needing state nomination for skilled visas.
The current occupation mapping identifies 2 potential skilled visa pathways. A listed pathway is not an approval or guarantee; the applicant must satisfy every requirement applying to that subclass.
These occupation-explorer estimates compare entry, experienced and senior salary levels across Australia. They are planning figures rather than job offers and should be checked against current vacancies, awards and employer terms.
| State or territory | Entry salary | Experienced salary | Senior salary | Demand | Regional context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | AUD$62,000 | AUD$85,000 | AUD$110,000 | High | Check current state and regional employer demand. |
| Victoria | AUD$60,000 | AUD$82,000 | AUD$106,000 | High | Check current state and regional employer demand. |
| Queensland | AUD$56,000 | AUD$77,000 | AUD$100,000 | High | Regional areas offer 491 nomination, reduced cost of living and faster invitations |
| Western Australia | AUD$60,000 | AUD$82,000 | AUD$107,000 | High | State nomination available; mining sector drives strong demand |
| South Australia | AUD$54,000 | AUD$74,000 | AUD$96,000 | Medium | SA Skilled & Business migration, competitive 190/491 quotas |
| Tasmania | AUD$51,000 | AUD$71,000 | AUD$91,000 | Medium | 491 regional visa available; lifestyle benefits and lower living costs |
| Australian Capital Territory | AUD$65,000 | AUD$89,000 | AUD$116,000 | Medium | High government and defence sector demand |
| Northern Territory | AUD$57,000 | AUD$78,000 | AUD$101,000 | Low | NT nomination available; remote area incentives |
State and territory nomination allocations indicate programme capacity, not places reserved for Landscape Gardener. Applicants must confirm that their occupation is open and meet the jurisdiction's current criteria before relying on a Subclass 190 or 491 pathway.
| State or territory | Subclass 190 places | Subclass 491 places | Nomination context |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 2,500 | 0 | NSW nomination available for select occupations. Check NSW Skills List. |
| Victoria | 2,000 | 0 | Victoria State Nomination (VSNP) program. Competitive quotas. |
| Queensland | 1,200 | 1,800 | Queensland Skilled Migration, separate 190 and 491 streams. |
| Western Australia | 1,500 | 500 | WA State Nomination, strong demand in mining, engineering, health. |
| South Australia | 1,000 | 1,200 | SA Skilled & Business program, open occupation list. |
| Tasmania | 500 | 800 | Tasmania 491 covers the whole state; 190 for critical occupations. |
| Australian Capital Territory | 600 | 0 | ACT Critical Skills and Graduate pathways. High competition. |
| Northern Territory | 200 | 600 | NT nomination, remote area incentives and dedicated quotas. |
The assessing authority is TRA. A skills assessment compares overseas qualifications and employment history with the Australian standard for ANZSCO 362213. Applicants normally need identity documents, academic certificates and transcripts, detailed employer references, proof of paid employment and certified translations where applicable.
Assessment rules differ by authority and occupation. Some authorities require English testing, professional registration, supervised practice, competency demonstrations or a technical interview. Applicants should use the authority's current checklist and ensure that duties in employment references align with the nominated occupation rather than relying only on a job title.
Published processing ranges change with application volumes and individual complexity. The figures below are planning ranges used by the occupation explorer. They begin after a valid visa application is lodged and do not include time needed for English testing, skills assessment, Expression of Interest, nomination or sponsorship.
| Visa pathway | 75% planning range | 90% planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated | 5–7 months | 12–24 months |
| Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional | 4–8 months | 10–18 months |
Typical duration: 1–3 months
Check occupation on MLTSSL/STSOL lists, identify assessing authority, research state nomination options, calculate migration points score.
Typical duration: 3–12 months
Submit application to the relevant assessing authority. Gather qualifications, employment evidence and references.
Typical duration: 1–24 months
Lodge EOI in SkillSelect. Wait for an invitation to apply based on your points score. Higher scores are invited first.
Typical duration: 6–36 months
Lodge formal visa application with Department of Home Affairs. Undergo health examinations and police clearances.
Typical duration: 1–3 months
Book flights, arrange accommodation, open an Australian bank account, research your destination city.
Typical duration: Ongoing
Activate your visa by entering Australia. Begin building your life, applying for work, and accessing services.
Yes. Landscape Gardener (ANZSCO 362213) is on Australia's Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Its list placement determines which points-tested, state-nominated, regional or employer-sponsored pathways may be available. List placement alone does not guarantee a visa: applicants must also meet age, English, skills assessment, points, nomination or sponsorship requirements for the selected subclass.
The occupation data currently identifies Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) as potential pathways for Landscape Gardener. Each pathway has separate eligibility rules. State nomination depends on the relevant state list and invitation settings, while employer-sponsored pathways require a qualifying position and an approved sponsoring employer.
TRA is the assessing authority shown for Landscape Gardener. A positive skills assessment is generally required before lodging an Expression of Interest for points-tested skilled migration. Applicants should confirm the authority's current qualification, employment evidence, English, registration and document requirements before applying because assessment criteria can change.
The occupation explorer estimates New South Wales earnings from AUD$62,000 at entry level to AUD$85,000 for an experienced worker, with senior roles around AUD$110,000. Actual pay depends on location, employer, industry, registration, specialisation and experience. Regional positions may combine a different base salary with allowances or lower living costs.
Subclass 189, 190 and 491 applicants need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest, but 65 does not guarantee an invitation. Competitive invitation scores can be higher. Points are awarded for age, English proficiency, qualifications, skilled work experience, Australian study and other factors, with state nomination adding points for Subclass 190 or 491.
A positive assessment from TRA is required for most points-tested pathways connected to Landscape Gardener. The authority examines qualifications and employment evidence against Australian standards. Processing often takes several months, so applicants should prepare detailed references, payslips, tax evidence, transcripts and certified identity documents before submitting.
Subclass 190 grants permanent residence after state or territory nomination. Subclass 491 is provisional and may lead to permanent residence through Subclass 191 after meeting regional requirements. Eligibility depends on the applicant's complete circumstances and the rules in force when invited or applying.
A complete skilled migration journey can take two to four years. Skills assessment may take three to twelve months, followed by an uncertain wait for an invitation or nomination. After invitation, visa processing varies by subclass and caseload. Health examinations, police clearances, employer sponsorship and requests for further information can extend the timeline.
Typically, a Certificate III in Landscape Construction is required, assessed by VETASSESS for overseas qualifications.
Yes, regions like New South Wales and Western Australia have high demand due to urban and mining rehabilitation projects.
In NSW, experienced Landscape Gardeners earn around AUD $85,000, while in WA, the average is AUD $82,000.
Career advancement is possible into roles like Landscape Supervisor or Landscape Architect with additional qualifications and experience.