How to Invoice as a Gardener or Landscaper in Australia
By Dan Reeve — Working handyman and founder of SMASH Invoices. Built SMASH after losing $1,200 in uninvoiced jobs in a single year. He still takes on handyman work and uses SMASH on every job. About Dan →
To invoice as a gardener or landscaper in Australia, you need your ABN, business name, a description of services performed, all materials used with quantities and pricing, and GST if registered. Gardeners and landscapers typically lose $60–$100 per week on mulch, potting mix, fertiliser, herbicide, and plants bought specifically for a job but never appearing on the invoice, $3,120–$5,200 per year absorbed silently.
The gardener's invisible materials problem
The job is in front of you. You pruned the hedges, mowed the lawn, pulled weeds, laid new mulch, replanted the front bed, and sprayed the driveway cracks with herbicide.
The invoice says: "Gardening — $180."
That mulch was $45. The potting mix for the replant was $28. The plants were $32. The herbicide was $18. You spent $123 in materials for a job you invoiced at $180 total, leaving $57 for three hours of labour. That's $19 an hour.
You're not bad at pricing. You're not good at invoicing materials.
"I used to buy everything on the way to the job, do the work, and invoice the labour. Never the materials. Figured the customer just expected it to be included. My partner sat down with me one night and showed me that I was going to Bunnings three times a week and spending $200-odd and none of it was on invoices. We fixed it that week." — Leanne F., Gardener, Hobart TAS [PLACEHOLDER]
What a gardening invoice must include
- Your business name and ABN
- Invoice number and date
- Property address (important for regular clients with multiple properties)
- Services performed: be specific — "mowing front and back lawn, hedge trim east fence, weed removal garden beds" is better than "gardening"
- Materials used: each item with quantity and price
- Labour: hours or flat rate
- Travel if applicable
- GST if registered
- Payment terms
The more specific the service description, the less likely you are to have a dispute. "Gardening — $180" invites the response "I thought that included the plants." "Labour 3 hours — $150 + mulch 3 bags at $18 each — $54" does not.
Materials gardeners forget to charge for
| Material | Typical cost | Charge it? (most gardeners) |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (per bag/cubic metre) | $15–$45 | Rarely |
| Potting mix | $12–$28 | Sometimes |
| Plants (annuals, groundcover) | $8–$35 each | Sometimes |
| Fertiliser | $8–$20 | Rarely |
| Herbicide | $12–$25 | Rarely |
| Weed mat | $15–$30 | Sometimes |
| Irrigation fittings | $5–$25 | Often missed |
| Soil improver | $12–$20 | Rarely |
If you bought it specifically for their job, it goes on the invoice. Not as a flat "materials" line, itemised, with the product and quantity.
How to invoice a gardening job before loading the trailer
You're coiling the hose. Speak into your phone:
"Lawn mow front and back, hedge trim both sides, weed garden beds, lay three bags of mulch, replace two dead plants with petunias. Labour three hours. Three bags mulch, two petunias, 500g slow-release fertiliser."
Invoice built. Your hourly rate. Materials priced. Sent to the customer. You're loading the mower while they're approving it on their phone.
"Your hands built that garden. Your keyboard had nothing to do with it."
Frequently asked questions
Do gardeners need to charge GST in Australia? Only if annual turnover exceeds $75,000. Most part-time or sole trader gardeners are below this threshold and GST registration is optional. If you're registered, label invoices "Tax Invoice" and show GST separately. If you're not registered, do not add GST.
Can I charge customers for plants and materials in addition to labour? Yes. Any materials purchased specifically for a job are a legitimate invoice line item. Plants, mulch, fertiliser, irrigation parts, and chemicals should all be itemised separately from labour. Best practice is to charge at cost-plus a 15–20% markup for sourcing, transport, and carrying cost.
How do I invoice a regular gardening client in Australia? For regular maintenance clients, set up a consistent invoice template that matches each visit: same service description structure, same rate, materials added when applicable. SMASH Invoices keeps a full history per customer so every invoice is consistent and you can see what you've charged each visit.
What is a fair hourly rate for a gardener in Australia? Sole trader gardeners typically charge $45–$75 per hour depending on location and services. Specialist work (tree removal, irrigation installation) commands higher rates. Rates in capital cities skew higher than regional areas. Whatever your rate, state it clearly on the invoice as an hourly or flat charge.
How do I handle a gardening job where I'm not sure what materials I'll need? Quote an estimated materials allowance in your initial quote, "estimated materials: $50–$100 depending on final scope," with customer acknowledgement. Invoice actual costs at job completion. Using a digital quote approved before the job starts protects you from material cost disputes.
Your hands built that garden. Your keyboard had nothing to do with it. Start Free →
Internal links: How to price materials automatically in a quote · What is a customer approval portal? · How much are service workers losing on materials?