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Head Gardener

A Head Gardener manages the design and upkeep of gardens and parks, overseeing a team, establishing schedules, and liaising with clients.

How do I become a head gardener

Get qualified to work as a head gardener with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Head Gardener generally earns $1,800 per week ($93,600 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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The number of people working in this field has increased over the last five years. There are currently 29,400 people employed in the gardening industry in Australia and many of them specialise as a Head Gardener. Head Gardeners may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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A Certificate IV in Horticulture is an ideal qualification for anyone wanting to work as a Head Gardener. You’ll learn to cost out projects, work within a budget and design gardens that minimise the use of chemicals. If you decide to further your studies you could consider a Diploma of Horticulture.

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Further reading

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Head Gardener careers

A Head Gardener oversees the creation and maintenance of gardens, parks and landscaped areas. You might design green spaces, prepare costings and select garden products. Head Gardeners may supervise a team of workers and liaise with clients. You may establish maintenance schedules and ensure budgets and timeframes are met.

Head Gardeners should be organised and be able to manage several projects at once. You’ll need to have good leadership skills and be able to communicate well with clients and staff. Head Gardeners may also need to be capable of undertaking physical tasks and working in a range of weather conditions.