There's a lot more to gardens than mowing the lawn every Saturday morning.
Gardens can be works of art that need creative vision and detailed planning.
Landscape design is a unique combination of environmental science, horticulture, artistic creativity and building skills.
Do you know that human beings have been designing gardens for thousands and thousands of years?
One of the Seven Wonders of the ASncient World is a garden. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II on the banks of the River Euphrates in 689 BC.
Landscape design is one of the most interesting ways that we organise the built environment which is a name for the cities, buildings, parks, public spaces and transport routes that we create for our living environments.
It is important that we understand how to work with nature to create environments that enhance our lives.
If you're thinking about looking for a job working outdoors as a gardener or a labourer, why don't you take it one step further, get technical and become a qualified landscape designer?
Landscape design can offer you a diverse and fascinating career path.
You have the potential to diversify into teaching, research, consultancy, government development and private commissions. Find out more about job opportunities.
A qualified landscape designer can earn a starting wage of around $25 000 per year. As your experience grows, so will your wage. Landscape design is the perfect ticket to owning your own business and increased earning potential. You can also travel and work throughout Australia and overseas with your qualifications and experience.
You can research NSW awards on the NSW Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website
or you can contact the NSW DIR Award Enquiry Service or your local NSW DIR office.WageNet gives you information about Federal awards. You can ask for help by filling in an online enquiry form or you can contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) WageLine.
If you want to begin a career in landscape design while you are doing your HSC, think about enrolling in a part-time school-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) traineeship:
Certificate II in Horticulture
Certificate II in Horticulture (Arboriculture)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Floriculture)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Landscape)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Nursery)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Parks & Gardens)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Production)
Certificate II in Horticulture (Turf Management).
TAFE NSW offers a range of courses in landscape design and horticulture.
If you're not at school and you want to combine workplace training and study, consider a New Apprenticeship in horticulture.
If you want to expand your study at university, explore your options in landscape architecture.
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (NSW)
PO Box 655
Lane Cove NSW 2066
T (02) 9420 9297
E AILA.NSW.GROUP@bigpond.com
www.aila.org.au/Nursery and Garden Industry Australia
PO Box 907
Epping NSW 1710
T (02) 9876 5200
E info@ngia.com.au
www.ngia.com.auPrimary Industry Training Advisory Body (NSW)
PO Box 586
Coogee NSW 2034
T (02) 9664 9191
F (02) 9664 7676
E nswpitab@ozemail.com.au
National Council of the Australian Institute of Horticulture
Unit 1C 260 Manns Road
West Gosford NSW 2250
T (02) 4325 4088
F (02) 4324 2563
E agrisec@ozemail.com.au
www.aih.au.comRural Training Council of Australia Inc
PO Box E10
Kingston ACT 2604
T (02) 6273 2514
F (02) 6273 4811
E admin@rtca.com.au
www.rtca.com.au
