Arborist salary: award rates and the national minimum wage

What is an arborist salary?

An arborist – also called a tree surgeon – maintains and cares for trees and shrubs. The job involves lopping limbs, shaping branches, treating pests and diseases, and removing dead or dangerous trees. In Australia, most arborists work full-time (80% do, according to Jobs and Skills Australia) and put in about 43 hours a week. But what do they actually earn?

That question is harder to answer than you might think. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for arborists as a separate occupation – the data is too uncertain. So we have to look at the next best thing: the award that covers the job and the minimum pay rates it sets.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. Annualised, that’s $52,255. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, the national minimum wage sits at 48.2.

Most arborists, however, are covered by the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020. That award sets minimum hourly rates that start at $25.74 for an Introductory-level employee and go up to $30.38 for a Level 5 employee. Here’s the full table from the Fair Work Ombudsman (as at 1 July 2026):

• Introductory Level: $25.74/hr
• Level 1: $26.44/hr
• Level 2: $27.08/hr
• Level 3: $28.28/hr
• Level 4: $29.45/hr
• Level 5: $30.38/hr

Notice that Level 1 matches the national minimum wage exactly. But an arborist with any experience would likely be classified at Level 2 or above. A Level 3 arborist earns $28.28 an hour – about 7% above the national minimum. Annualised (38-hour week), that’s roughly $55,858, or an index of 51.6.

What the award says about arborists

The Fair Work Ombudsman specifically notes that arborists, tree loppers and pruners are covered by the Gardening and Landscaping Award if their employer is in the gardening and landscaping industry. There’s also a second possibility: if the arborist’s duties include clearing vegetation near overhead power lines and the employer is in the electrical services industry, the Electrical Award may apply instead. That award has different pay rates.

For most arborists working for landscaping firms, tree services companies, or local councils, the Gardening and Landscaping Award is the one to check. The award also includes penalty rates for overtime, weekend work, and allowances, which can push actual earnings well above the minimum rates shown above.

Where does the arborist salary index sits

Because we don’t have a reliable median figure, we can’t give a single index number for arborists. But we can compare the award floors against the national line. The industries page shows that the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $108,352. An arborist at the award’s highest minimum (Level 5) earns about $60,031 annualised – an index 55.4. That’s still well below the national average, but remember that award rates are only the starting point. Experienced arborists with experience running a crew or running a truck can earn more.

Super, tax and take-home pay

Any salary discussion in Australia should also factor in the 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026). An employer must pay that on top of the award rate. For a Level 3 arborist earning $28.28/hr, the super contribution is about $6,700 per year. After tax and the 2% Medicare levy, a resident earning $55,000 gross takes home roughly $47,200. The tax brackets for 2026–27: nil up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000. The take-home estimate ignores HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

How to find your exact arborist salary

If you’re an arborist or an employer, the best first step is to use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. You can also check the pay guides on Salary Index for award summaries. And if you’re comparing across states, the states page shows how the index varies: for example, Western Australia sits at 106.9 (above the national line), while Tasmania is at 88.6.

The bottom line

An arborist salary is not a single number. The award floor is between $25.74 and $30.38 per hour, but most workers earn more. Without median data, we can only say that the index is likely above the national minimum wage. For a typical full-time arborist, the salary index is likely around 51 to 55, but actual earnings can be higher with overtime and experience.

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