Casual Gardening & Grounds Labourer

Location: Predominately Northern & Western Suburbs of Adelaide, SA
Depot: Salisbury, SA — all shifts start and finish at our Salisbury depot
Pay: AU$31.19 per hour for applicants aged 18+ with 1+ year of relevant experience, including 25% casual loading. Applicants under 18 will be paid the applicable minimum casual rate under the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award (MA000101).
Hours: Casual — generally 1–2 days per week initially, with potential for 3–4 days per week for the right person where hours permit
Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

We are a small, growing gardening and property maintenance business predominately servicing Adelaide's northern and western suburbs.

We are looking for a capable, experienced, proactive and reliable gardener/grounds labourer who can work confidently both independently and as part of a team.

This is not an entry-level gardening position.

We are looking for someone who already has solid practical experience with gardening equipment and general grounds/property maintenance and can get on with the work without needing constant supervision.

A particularly valuable part of this role is the ability to undertake larger hedge, tree and vegetation maintenance jobs, including work involving ladders and, where appropriately experienced, chainsaws and other powered equipment.

Previous experience with larger hedge trimming, tree pruning, chainsaw work and safe ladder work is highly desirable. Practical chainsaw experience is a major advantage. Relevant chainsaw training or a qualification/ticket is also advantageous, as is a willingness to undertake appropriate training in the future.

We are specifically looking for someone whose existing skills mean that training will primarily involve learning our business, systems and standards rather than being taught the fundamentals of gardening and equipment use from scratch.

Each workday starts and finishes at our Salisbury depot.

You will prepare the tools and equipment required for the day's jobs, travel between residential properties across Adelaide, complete the required work, communicate with customers when appropriate, update job progress through our business app and return equipment to the depot at the end of the day.

Depending on the work being completed, you may also be required to load garden/green waste into a trailer and transport it to an appropriate waste facility or tip/dump.

Some work can involve ladders, powered equipment and other hazards, so experience, safety awareness, good judgement and knowing your own limits are extremely important.

Experienced Gardeners & Existing Businesses Welcome

We are also happy to hear from experienced gardeners who already have their own clients or run their own small gardening or landscaping business and are looking for additional days of work to fill gaps in their schedule.

If you already have your own clients and would like to work 1–2 days per week with another business, with potential for more days where hours permit, you are welcome to apply.

This may suit experienced gardeners who want additional regular work without giving up their existing clients.

What the Role Involves

Typical duties include:

- Lawn mowing and maintenance
- Hedging and pruning
- Larger hedge reductions and trimming
- Tree and vegetation pruning/maintenance
- Weeding and garden maintenance
- Garden clean-ups and pre-sale makeovers
- General residential garden and property maintenance
- Pressure cleaning when required
- Safe use of gardening tools and machinery, including mowers, whipper snippers, blowers, hedgers, ladders and other outdoor power equipment
- Chainsaw work where appropriately experienced and safe to do so
- Preparing and loading the correct tools and equipment at the start of the day
- Loading, unloading and organising tools and equipment in trailers
- Loading and securing garden/green waste appropriately
- Transporting garden/green waste to a waste facility when required
- Travelling between jobs across Adelaide
- Reading job instructions through our business app
- Recording job progress and relevant information through the app
- Communicating appropriately with customers when required
- Working independently or as part of a team
- Returning tools, equipment and trailers to the Salisbury depot

All standard tools, PPE and equipment are provided.

The Type of Person We Are Looking For

The successful applicant will ideally be:

- Experienced
- Practical
- Proactive
- Productive
- Safety-conscious
- Reliable
- Good with people

You should be comfortable:

- Working independently without needing to be told every small step
- Reading job information and understanding what needs to be done
- Working out a sensible order to complete tasks efficiently
- Knowing what tools and equipment will be required for the day's jobs
- Helping prepare, load and organise the trailer
- Recognising straightforward problems and attempting to troubleshoot them appropriately
- Knowing when something needs to be clarified and contacting the Operations Manager rather than guessing
- Working at a good, productive pace while maintaining quality
- Using gardening equipment confidently throughout a full working day
- Working safely and confidently from ladders where required
- Understanding hazards around trees, large hedges, ladders, powered equipment, vehicles, buildings and other property
- Looking after customers' properties
- Loading and transporting garden waste safely
- Keeping job information and progress updated through the business app

We are not looking for someone who needs to be taught every basic aspect of gardening and grounds work. We are looking for someone who already has the practical experience to perform the work confidently and safely, then learn our particular systems and way of operating.

We value efficiency, but not at the expense of quality or safety.

Tree, Hedge & Ladder Experience

Experience with larger hedge and vegetation maintenance jobs is a significant advantage.

We are particularly interested in applicants with previous experience in:

- Large hedge trimming and reductions
- Tree pruning and vegetation maintenance
- Chainsaw work
- Working safely from ladders
- Setting up,



moving and packing away ladders safely
- Working around branches, overhead hazards, fences, buildings, vehicles and other obstacles
- Recognising when a task is outside their experience or safe working capability

Chainsaw experience is highly desirable

If you have significant hands-on chainsaw experience, please tell us about it in your application.

Relevant chainsaw training or qualifications are an advantage, as is a willingness to undertake appropriate training in the future.

We are looking for practical experience, not simply a qualification.

You should not apply expecting the business to teach you basic chainsaw operation, ladder work or general equipment use from scratch.

Driving & Trailer Skills

A valid Australian driver's licence is required.

You may be required to drive a manual work vehicle, so you need to be genuinely comfortable driving a manual vehicle.

Experience towing and reversing a trailer is highly valued.

Having your own suitable vehicle capable of towing a trailer is an advantage, but is not a requirement. The business has work vehicles available.

Employees who use their own vehicle for authorised work-related purposes will be reimbursed in accordance with applicable requirements.

Applicants confident towing and reversing a trailer safely into driveways and around properties will have an advantage.

Good spatial awareness and care around customers' homes, vehicles, fences, gardens and other surroundings are important.

Customer Communication & Safety

Customers may or may not be present when you arrive at a property.

When customers are present, you should be friendly, polite and professional, while understanding that your primary responsibility is to complete the work safely and efficiently.

You should be able to:

- Greet and communicate with customers appropriately
- Listen to customer requests and communicate relevant information to management
- Ask sensible questions when something is unclear
- Know what should be handled yourself and what should be referred to the Operations Manager
- Represent the business professionally onsite
- Respect the customer's property and privacy
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and stay focused on the job

Some customers are naturally more conversational than others. We want someone who can be friendly and approachable while also being able to politely keep interactions brief when necessary and get on with the work.

Once work has commenced, the area is an active worksite. Customers and other people may need to remain clear of operating equipment, ladders, falling branches, flying debris and other hazards.

You should be comfortable politely explaining safety requirements to customers and asking them to remain clear of the immediate work area when necessary.

Independence & Initiative

Our jobs are organised through our business app, so you will receive the relevant job details and instructions.

We don't expect you to know everything or make decisions outside your responsibility.

We do expect you to be proactive.

If you arrive at a job and can see the logical order to complete the work, we expect you to use your judgement rather than waiting to be told every step.

If you encounter a straightforward issue, we expect you to think about possible solutions.

If something is outside your responsibility, unclear or potentially significant, we expect you to stop and communicate with the Operations Manager rather than making a risky assumption.

You should also be capable of looking ahead and making sure the appropriate tools, attachments, ladders and equipment are available before starting the job.

Experience & Requirements

We are looking for applicants with at least 1 year of genuine hands-on experience in gardening, landscaping, grounds maintenance or similar outdoor work.

Applicants with experience in tree maintenance, larger hedge work, chainsaw operation, ladder work or broader property maintenance are particularly encouraged to apply.

You must also have:

- A valid Australian driver's licence
- A current First Aid Certificate
- A current Working With Children Check

You must be physically capable of performing the duties of the role, including:

- Repeated lifting and carrying
- Lifting items up to approximately 30kg
- Repetitive arm movements during hedging and pruning
- Standing and working outdoors for extended periods
- Climbing and working from ladders when required
- Operating outdoor power equipment for extended periods
- Loading and unloading tools, equipment and garden waste
- Performing physical garden and property clean-ups

Hours & Availability

- Casual position
- Initial trial period is generally around 2 paid shifts
- Following the trial, generally 1–2 days per week
- Potential to increase to 3–4 days per week for the right person where hours permit
- Potential for additional days as the business grows
- Ongoing work for the right person
- Some flexibility with your schedule is important

Weather & Seasonal Conditions

As this is outdoor work, weather can occasionally affect scheduled work. Heavy rain or extreme conditions may mean some jobs need to be postponed or moved to another day.

Applicants should therefore have some flexibility with their schedule and understand that weather is simply part of working in the gardening and outdoor maintenance industry.

Why Work With Us

We are a small, growing team where everyone plays an important part. We look out for each other, communicate openly and want people to feel supported while doing their job.

We use a business app to organise our jobs, so you have the information you need for each property in one place, including job instructions, customer requests, access information and other relevant notes.

We are a friendly and communicative team. If you are unsure about something, you can ask.



We value people who think for themselves, communicate when they need help and take responsibility for their work.

For the right person, there is mentoring and the opportunity to develop additional skills and take on more responsibility as the business grows.

When someone consistently shows reliability, effort, initiative, care and a high standard of work, we may provide additional recognition or bonus payments.

What We Offer

- AU$31.19 per hour for eligible applicants aged 18+ with 1+ year relevant experience
- Casual employment
- Potential for additional hours as the business grows
- Standard tools, PPE and equipment provided
- Reimbursement in accordance with applicable requirements when an employee uses their own vehicle for authorised work-related purposes
- Opportunity to take on more responsibility as the business grows
- Occasional bonus payments for exceptional effort, reliability and quality of work
- Potential future subcontracting opportunities for the right person interested in eventually building their own gardening or property maintenance business

Bonus Skills

The following are not required, but are advantageous:

- Tree pruning and maintenance experience
- Large hedge trimming/reduction experience
- Practical chainsaw experience
- Confident and safe ladder work
- Relevant chainsaw training or qualification/ticket
- Willingness to undertake appropriate chainsaw training
- Trailer towing and reversing experience
- Experience driving manual work vehicles
- Pressure cleaning experience
- Residential property maintenance experience
- Irrigation installation and repair experience
- Experience installing lawns/turf
- Soil preparation and turf preparation experience
- Experience communicating directly with residential customers
- Experience running your own gardening or landscaping business

Working Holiday Visa Holders

Applicants with at least 1 year of relevant experience are welcome.

Please note that we are not currently offering visa sponsorship, and this role does not qualify as specified regional work.

Trial & Growth Opportunities

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a paid trial period, generally consisting of around 2 paid shifts.

The trial allows both the applicant and the business to assess practical skills, work ethic, communication, safety awareness and overall suitability for the role.

The trial will involve normal duties relevant to the position and may include general gardening, equipment use, following job instructions, working independently and demonstrating relevant practical experience.

Following the trial, we will assess whether the position is a suitable ongoing fit.

For the right person, there is potential for 1–2 days per week initially, increasing to 3–4 days per week where hours and business needs permit, along with additional responsibility and growth as the business develops.

How to Apply

Please apply with your resume and provide details of your relevant gardening experience and availability.

Please make sure you answer all of the application questions on Indeed. The questions cover key requirements of the role, including:

- Gardening experience and confidence using gardening tools and equipment
- Experience with tree pruning and/or larger hedge trimming
- Experience safely working from ladders
- Chainsaw experience — please describe your practical experience and the type of work you have used a chainsaw for
- Relevant chainsaw training or qualifications
- Willingness to undertake relevant chainsaw training
- Australian driver's licence and confidence driving a manual vehicle
- First Aid Certificate
- Working With Children Check
- Ability to work independently and manage your own workflow
- Customer communication and dealing professionally with clients onsite
- Trailer towing and reversing experience
- Experience with irrigation installation or repair
- Experience installing lawns/turf
- How you approach unexpected situations and problem-solving
- Your general availability

Please be honest about your level of experience with higher-risk work such as chainsaws, ladders and tree/hedge maintenance. We would rather know exactly what experience you have than have an applicant overstate their abilities.

Please make sure you answer all of the application questions on Indeed. Complete answers help us quickly assess whether your experience and availability are a good fit for the role. If your answers indicate that you may be a suitable candidate, this can help us progress your application to the interview stage more quickly and keep the interview focused on the remaining details.

Work Authorisation

Australia (Required)

Job Type

Part-time, Casual

Work Location

In person

Job Types: Part-time, Casual

Pay: $31.19 per hour

Expected hours: 8 – 40 per week

Benefits:

- Employee mentoring program
- Professional development assistance

Application Question(s):

- What days are you generally available, and do you have some flexibility when weather affects outdoor work?
- How many years of hands-on gardening, landscaping, grounds maintenance or similar experience do you have? Please briefly describe.
- What experience do you have with larger hedge trimming, tree pruning or vegetation maintenance?

Please describe the type and size of work you've personally done.

- What experience do you have using a chainsaw?

Please describe the type of work you've done and any training or qualifications you hold.

- What experience do you have working from ladders while using gardening tools or equipment?
- Do you have a valid Australian driver's licence, and are you confident driving a manual vehicle?
- What experience do you have towing and reversing trailers?

Please briefly describe your experience.

- Are you comfortable working independently, travelling between multiple residential jobs across Adelaide, following job instructions through an app, and managing your own workflow?
- Do you have experience with irrigation installation/repair or installing lawns/turf?

If yes, please briefly describe.

- Do you currently hold a First Aid Certificate, Police Clearance or Working With Children Check?

Please state which ones you currently hold.

Work Authorisation:

- Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Casual Gardening and Grounds Labourer (Salisbury)
🏢 Grounded Gardening Group
📍 Salisbury