Your landscaper salary: from award rates to take-home pay

Your landscaper salary: from award rates to take-home pay

If you work in landscaping or are considering the trade, you have probably seen job ads quoting a figure and wondered what actually lands in your bank account. The difference between a gross salary, a total package, and take-home pay can be confusing. This guide walks through the award minimums for a landscaper salary, how tax and the Medicare levy reduce your pay, and what you can expect after deductions.

What is a landscaper salary?

A landscaper salary is not a single number. It depends on your classification under the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020, which covers most employees in the industry. Fair Work sets minimum rates for each level, from Introductory (new entrants) through to Level 5 (experienced tradespersons). Your actual pay may be higher if your employer offers above-award rates, but the award is the legal floor.

Award rates for landscaping

For full-time adult employees working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum hourly rates from 1 July 2026 are:

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

Casual employees receive a 25% loading, so their hourly rates range from $32.18 to $37.98. These rates are before tax and super. The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, which matches Level 1 – so if you are at Introductory Level, you are paid below the national minimum, which is allowed only for a limited time under the award.

From gross to take-home

Your gross salary is the figure before any deductions. If your employer quotes a landscaper salary as “$65,000 plus super”, that $65,000 is your gross. Superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top and does not reduce your take-home. If the ad says “$65,000 including super”, then your gross salary is lower – about $58,036 before the super contribution.

Once you have your gross annual salary, the Australian Taxation Office takes income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001+: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which can reduce your tax by up to $700 if your taxable income is below $37,500, with a phase-out up to $66,667.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. If you earn between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading-in rate applies (10c per $1 over the lower threshold). Full-time workers on award rates will generally pay the full 2%.

Example take-home calculation

Take a Level 3 full-time landscaper earning the award minimum of $28.28 per hour. Over 38 hours a week for 52 weeks, that is an annual gross of $55,897.28 (rounded to $55,897).

• Tax: Using the 2026–27 rates, tax on $55,897 is $4,020 + 30c × ($55,897 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $3,269.10 = $7,289.10. LITO reduces this: at $55,897, LITO is $325 – 1.5c × ($55,897 – $45,000) = $325 – $163.46 = $161.54. So net tax = $7,289.10 – $161.54 = $7,127.56.
• Medicare levy: 2% of $55,897 = $1,117.94.
• Total deductions: $7,127.56 + $1,117.94 = $8,245.50.
• Take-home pay: $55,897 – $8,245.50 = $47,651.50 per year, or about $1,832.75 per fortnight.

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. Use the Take-home pay calculator for your exact situation.

What about super?

Super is not deducted from your take-home. It is an additional contribution your employer must pay into a fund. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For the Level 3 example above, the employer would pay an extra $6,707.64 into super each year. That money is preserved until retirement.

Key takeaways

• A landscaper salary under the award ranges from $25.74 to $30.38 per hour for full-time adults.
• Gross pay is before tax, Medicare, and super. Super is extra unless the ad says “including super”.
• Take-home is what you receive after tax and Medicare. Use the Tax and Medicare guide to estimate yours.
• The Minimum wage page has more on award and national minimum rates.
• For a deeper look at salary packaging and super, see Super.

Always check your pay slip and compare it to the award. If something seems off, Fair Work can help.