Get your landscaping licence.
In NSW the licence is called structural landscaping. It covers what you build outdoors, like retaining walls, paving and decks. Planting isn’t on its list. We help with the qualification and the licence application.
- What NSW asks for
- A Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30921), or another qualification on Building Commission NSW’s list, such as AHC30916
What the licence lets you do.
A backyard job can mix a wall, paving and a deck. With your own licence, you can quote the whole job as one contract and keep the margin, instead of passing the work on.
- Contract residential landscape building worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials.
- Build retaining walls, fences, paths, driveways and paving in any material.
- Put up pergolas, decks, cabanas and other outdoor shelters.
- Take on whole outdoor jobs, and bring in licensed trades for the specialist parts.
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Who qualifies.
Building Commission NSW issues structural landscaping licences. You need a qualification from its list and a police check. It doesn’t ask for a set number of years.
A Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30921), an older version such as AHC30916, or a Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape) on the list.
Landscape building work an RTO can assess: walls, paving and structures you’ve built, with photos and references.
A National Police Check no older than four months at the time you apply.
A finished apprenticeship or traineeship, if you were doing one.
Worth knowing: Ponds and water features count only when they need development approval.
Other states and territories set their own rules. Tell us where you work, and we’ll check them for you.
Ask about your stateYour documents.
Tick off what you already have. We’ll help you with the rest.
0 of 10 ready
From your first call to your licence.
How it usually goes. Your case may skip a step, or need one we’ll explain at the start.
Free eligibility check
Tell us about the outdoor jobs you’ve built. We’ll tell you if the licence is realistic now, what’s missing and what it costs.
Your evidence pack
We help you turn photos, references and pay records into evidence that shows the building side of your work.
Assessment by an RTO
A registered training organisation assesses you for the Certificate III in Landscape Construction. Some units may need a practical task or a short interview.
Your licence application
We prepare your structural landscaping application to Building Commission NSW, with your police check and forms in place.
Licensed
Once it’s approved, you can contract landscape building in your own name. Choose a one, three or five-year licence and renew it when it ends.
Questions people ask us.
Something else on your mind?
Ask us on WhatsAppDo I need a licence to plant gardens or mow lawns?
Planting and lawn care aren’t on Building Commission NSW’s list for structural landscaping, which is about building work. If a garden job includes a wall, paving or a deck, check the licence rules before you quote.
When does a landscaping job need a licence?
When it’s residential work on that list, worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. Stone, timber and pavers count toward the total, not only your labour.
What about retaining walls?
Walls that need council approval sit within structural landscaping or general building work. Smaller brick, concrete or timber walls that don’t need approval can also be built by those trades.
Does my overseas experience count?
It can count as evidence when an RTO assesses you for the Certificate III. An overseas qualification on its own won’t get you a NSW licence. Tell us about the jobs you did and we’ll help you document them.
How long will it take, and how much will it cost?
That depends on your qualifications so far and how much your evidence covers. The free check gives you both answers before you commit.
I work in another state. Can you help?
Yes. Landscaping rules aren’t the same across Australia. Tell us your state and we’ll find out what applies.
Check your landscaping experience for free.
Tell us what you’ve built and for how long. We’ll tell you where you stand, what’s missing, and what it costs.