Landscape gardeners plan all aspects of a garden: plants and structures (walls, ponds, trellises etc) to maintain a complete and effective ecosystem. They may be involved in choosing plants, preparing the ground, installing irrigation, planting shrubs, bulbs, flowers & trees. They may also be engaged in weeding, fertilising, pruning and general maintenance of gardens, structures and irrigation systems. They need to be able to combine their extensive knowledge of plants with their manual skills to create the garden the client requires.
Specialisations
- Horticulturist
- Parks Specialist
Knowledge, Skills and Attributes
- to be able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions
- to be fit and able to carry out manual and heavy work
- to be unaffected by allergies to chemicals and plants
- to enjoy hard, physical work
- to be able to work flexible hours
- to be able to work in a team
Education Training Requirements
You can undertake a Landscape Gardener apprenticeship. Entry requirements vary, however, employers generally prefer Year 10. This generally takes three years to complete.
- D503 – Certificate IV – Horticulture
- S342 – Certificate III – Horticulture
- S350 – Certificate IV – Horticulture
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
As an apprentice you enter into a formal training contract with an employer. You spend most of your time working and learning practical skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training with a registered training provider of your choice. They will assess your skills and when you are competent in all areas, you will be awarded a nationally- recognised qualification. The apprenticeship usually takes three years to complete. Entry requirements may vary; however, employers generally require at least Year 10.
