Landscape
Overview
Includes planning, design, construction, maintenance and management of landscape areas, including private homes, factories, schools, commercial buildings and precincts, roadsides and streetscapes, parklands, irrigation systems and water features.
There are now about 3,200 landscapers working in the industry in Victoria. Most landscape businesses are small businesses but a few landscape firms employ up to 60 people. Landscapers fit into the categories of landscape design, landscape construction, and landscape maintenance.
Landscaping Victoria (formerly The Landscape Industries Association of Victoria), located in East Hawthorn, is widely acknowledged as the peak industry body in Victoria, with a rapidly growing membership now in excess of 400 members. Each state has it's own industry association.
The work undertaken by those employed in the landscape sector can comprise the following:
- construction and maintenance of domestic and commercial landscapes
- design of gardens and commercial landscapes
- rehabilitation and maintenance of urban bushland
- construction and installation of amenity and recreational landscape structures
- provision of technical advice and forward estimates on landscape development and proposals
If you are interested in outdoor work constructing beautiful gardens and landscapes-where the work is physically demanding but rewarding-then a career in landscaping might be for you.
There are landscaping businesses all over Australia. Many are small enterprises employing one to ten workers, while others can be very large with forty or more workers.
The work they do varies considerably. Some landscapers specialise in domestic gardens, others in commercial and industrial landscapes. Some are expert in hardscaping (paving and landscape construction) while others focus on softscaping (plant establishment and maintenance).
Work in the landscaping industry can be divided into levels which also relate to training and qualifications. The titles for those who work at these levels are:
| Level | Job Role | Recommended Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Landscape Labourer | Certificate II in Horticulture (Landscape) |
| Level 3 | Landscape Tradesperson | Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape) |
| Level 4 | Landscaping Supervisor | Certificate IV in Horticulture (Landscape) |
| Level 5 | Landscape Manager | Diploma of Horticulture (Landscape) |
Level 2 - Landscape Labourer
The landscape labourer is likely to be involved in a wide range of landscaping tasks under limited supervision.
The work undertaken could include:
- planting and renovating grassed areas
- paving
- planting, transporting and pruning trees and shrubs
- assisting in landscape construction work
There are various ways to get a job as a landscape worker. Individuals with general horticultural experience are often able to obtain work as landscape labourers in the landscape industry on a casual basis to assist with construction and maintenance works.
Level 3 - Landscape Tradesperson
The landscape tradesperson is a skilled landscaper who has successfully completed an apprenticeship and is likely to be involved in a wide range of landscaping activities.
Work undertaken could include:
- supervising landscape maintenance
- paving
- building retaining walls
- constructing decking/pergolas
- setting out landscape works
- coordinating planting
- building landscape features with concrete, timber, brick, stone, and metal
- installing irrigation and drainage
- operating specialised machinery and equipment
To work as a Landscape Tradesperson you must have completed a nationally accredited Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscaping) which involves formal learning while working on-the-job.
Priority skills areas for working as a landscape tradesperson include undertaking site assessments, building and maintaining gardens and landscape structures, and supervising work site activities.
Level 4 - Landscape Supervisor
A landscape supervisor has responsibility for a number of workers and landscape activities.
Work undertaken by a landscape supervisor could include:
- supervising landscape planting and construction works
- preparing landscape designs
- purchasing landscape materials
- costing projects
- operating a budget
There are a number of ways to get work as a landscape supervisor. Many of them begin work as landscape tradespersons.
The promotion of tradespersons to landscape supervisors occurs when they show they can take responsibility for landscaping operations and supervise the activities of other staff.
The qualification for landscape supervisors who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on-the-job is the Certificate IV in Horticulture (Landscape).
Priority skills areas for working as a landscape supervisor include supervising planting and construction works, preparing designs, staff supervision, costing projects and operating within a budget framework.
Level 5 - Landscape Manager
Landscape managers are likely to have significant responsibilities in managing a wide range of business activities.
Their responsibilities include:
- managing landscape projects
- designing landscape structures and features
- preparing estimates, quotes and tenders
- meeting and negotiating with clients
- managing business operations
- managing irrigation systems
- preparing reports
- providing specialist advice to clients
Landscape managers are promoted to their position when they have shown that they can successfully manage landscape operations as a business. Often they have worked as landscape tradespersons and landscape supervisors and have a good knowledge and experience of landscaping operations.
Priority skills areas for working as a landscape manager include managing projects, designing landscape structures and features, preparing estimates, quotes and tenders and negotiating with clients.