How Much Does A Landscaping Business Owner Make In Australia?

Starting a landscaping business in Australia has a low barrier to entry that can enable you to work on a diverse range of projects depending on what you plan to offer.

The landscaping industry is forecasted to strengthen over the next five years according to IBIS, which makes starting your new landscaping business the perfect venture.

So, if you’re thinking of starting a landscaping business in 2022 and want to know much you could earn, you’ve come to the right place!

In this blog post, we’re sharing our top tips and everything you need to know about how much a landscaping business can make.

What is a Landscaping Business?

A landscaping business is any business that focuses on lawn and garden maintenance. Your landscaping business can focus on niche areas of expertise such as:

• Lawn mowing
• Landscape maintenance
• Pest control, weeding and fertilising
• Structural landscaping
• Interior scaping (inside buildings and houses)
• Turf installation

The varied landscaping work means your business focus on a specific niche, or you can choose to specialisation in a few niches to provide multiple services. 

How Much Does a Landscaping Business Make?

The short answer is that it depends. A landscape business can earn a lot - but it can also earn little. Earning potential will depend on the cost of your start-up and operations, the demand for landscaping services in your area, and the amount of effort you put into building your business.

The median hourly rate for landscapers in Australia currently sits around $24 per hour, however, the more experience you hold, the higher your hourly rate can be.

But charging an hourly rate for your services should only be considered for smaller jobs such as mowing, weeding, or maintenance.

Consider as well, what your competitors are charging per hour and adjust accordingly!

For bigger complex projects, consider charging by the job. Agreeing on a flat rate means you won’t get penalised for working quickly and you’re able to account for surprises.

Landscaping licenses: Which one is right for you?

Do your research! Make sure you register for the right license in your state! We’ve compiled a list of the required licenses you will need based on the state you reside in.

‍New South Wales

To do any work as a landscaper in New South Wales, you’ll need an NSW Fair Trading License. If you plan on erecting a wall or building an outdoor non-habitable structure, you’ll need a Structural Landscaping License.

‍Queensland

If a job costs more than $3,300, you’ll need a landscaping license and a Structural Landscaping License for any work involving erecting structures.

‍South Australia

In South Australia, a builders license and a Supervisor's License is needed to operate a landscaping business.

‍Victoria

If you are in Victoria, a job that is valued at more than $10,000 requires anyone working on that project to be registered with the Building Practitioners Board. You will also need to have a Domestic Builder- Limited (DB - L) registration card.

‍Northern Territory

If you're working in the Northern Territory, it’s best to connect with your local council to find out if you need a Home Improvement License.

One last tip!

Always keep learning! Going from employee to business owner is a huge step and a big challenge for anyone. We’ve listed how a landscaping business can be profitable but there is still much to do as a business owner. And if you're looking for business insurance for your landscaping business be sure to check out our instant quote generator, where you can get an estimate on market-leading business insurance in seconds!