Arborist salary in Australia
If you are looking for a single, official figure for the average arborist salary in Australia, you will not find one. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for the six-digit occupation 'Arborist' (ANZSCO 362212). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for arborists also lists median weekly earnings as 'N/A'. This is common for detailed occupations where the survey sample is too small to produce a reliable estimate.
That does not mean arborist pay is a mystery. Most arborists are covered by the Gardening and Landscaping Award, which sets minimum hourly rates based on classification level. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, in line with the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week (about $52,255 per year). Award rates for arborists are typically above the national minimum, especially for qualified or experienced workers.
How arborist pay compares to national benchmarks
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the figure used as the 'line' on this site. The full-time adult median earnings are lower, at about $90,532 per year, while the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
An arborist paid at the award minimum would earn significantly less than the national full-time average. However, many arborists receive above-award rates through enterprise agreements or individual contracts, especially those with specialised skills such as tree climbing, rigging, or chemical application. The Gardening and Landscaping Award (note: no external link in final output) includes classifications for Arborist (Level 4 or 5) that attract higher minimum rates.
State and territory variations
The national full-time average varies by state and territory. For example:
- New South Wales: about $109,658 per year
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
- Tasmania: about $96,008
Arborist pay may also vary regionally due to demand, cost of living, and local award coverage. For a detailed breakdown of state averages, see the states and territories page.
What the data tells us about arborists
According to the ABS Census (2021), arborists are predominantly male (97% male share) with a median age of 36 years. About 80% work full-time, averaging 43 hours per week. The occupation is classified under Gardeners (ANZSCO 3622), which also includes general gardeners and landscape gardeners. The occupations page provides medians for broader groups, but not for arborists specifically.
Using award rates as a guide
Without a published median, the best guide for arborist pay is the Gardening and Landscaping Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator can give a personalised estimate based on classification and experience. Remember that award rates are minimums; actual pay may be higher.
For more on how salary figures are collected and calculated, see how the figures are set.
Summary
- No official median or average salary exists for arborists at the national level.
- Award minimums under the Gardening and Landscaping Award provide a floor.
- The national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
- Many arborists earn above award, but the lack of published data makes a precise comparison impossible.
If you are an arborist or employer, you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for an arborist in Australia? The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for the six-digit occupation 'Arborist' (ANZSCO 362212). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for arborists also lists median weekly earnings as 'N/A'. This means there is no official national average or median figure for the occupation. Pay is instead set by the relevant award or individual agreements.
How is arborist pay determined? Most arborists are covered by the Gardening and Landscaping Award. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week (about $52,255 per year). Award classifications for arborists may include higher rates for skills such as climbing, chemical application, or operating machinery. Actual pay can be above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
How does arborist pay compare to the national full-time average? Without a published median for arborists, a direct comparison is not possible. The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. The all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,425 (about $74,100 per year) as of August 2025. Arborists working under the award minimum would earn well below these figures, but experienced or specialised arborists may earn more.