Arborist Salary Guide: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Take-Home Pay
A full-time arborist at Level 4 under the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award earns $29.45 per hour, or $1,119.10 per week for 38 hours, before tax and super.
Understanding the Arborist Salary Under the Gardening and Landscaping Award
If you're looking up an arborist salary, the most reliable source is the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award 2020, which covers tree work, pruning, and related tasks. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes minimum rates for classifications from Introductory Level to Level 5. A qualified arborist is typically classified at Level 4 or Level 5, depending on experience and responsibilities.
How Annual Pay Is Calculated
The standard formula for annual gross pay is:
hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time employee under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. So a Level 4 arborist on $29.45 per hour earns:
- Weekly: $29.45 × 38 = $1,119.10
- Fortnightly: $1,119.10 × 2 = $2,238.20
- Annually: $1,119.10 × 52 = $58,185.20
This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. For a more personalised estimate, use the timesheet.
Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. That rate matches the award's Level 1 classification. An arborist salary is higher because the work requires skill and qualification. Level 4 and Level 5 rates reflect that.
| Classification | Hourly rate | Weekly rate (38h) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 |
| Level 5 | $30.38 | $1,154.30 |
These rates come from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide and the pay guide PDF.
Casual Loading and Overtime
Casual employees get a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For a Level 4 casual arborist, that's $29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave or other entitlements. Overtime for casuals is paid at 175% for the first 2 hours and 225% thereafter, calculated on the loaded rate. For full-time employees, overtime is 150% then 200%.
If you're comparing casual and permanent roles, see our casual loading page.
Superannuation Is Paid on Top
Employers must contribute super at 12% of ordinary earnings (2026–27 rate) into a fund like AustralianSuper. For a Level 4 arborist earning $58,185.20, that's an extra $6,982.22 per year, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional cost to the employer. Learn more about super and packaging.
Tax on an Arborist Salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners). For a $58,185.20 annual salary, the tax would be approximately:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 ($18,201–$45,000) = $4,020
- 30% on $13,185.20 ($45,001–$58,185.20) = $3,955.56
- Total tax: $7,975.56
- Medicare levy (2% of $58,185.20) = $1,163.70
- Total tax and Medicare: $9,139.26
Take-home pay would be about $49,045.94 per year, or $943.19 per week. This estimate uses the 2025–26 Medicare reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. For a detailed breakdown, see take-home pay.
How Arborist Pay Compares to Average Earnings
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (May 2026). That's about $108,352 annually. A Level 4 arborist salary of $58,185 is below that average, reflecting the industry's award-based structure. However, experienced arborists with Level 5 classification or leading-hand allowances can earn more. The award also provides for tool allowances and overtime that can boost total earnings.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Most award employees are paid weekly or fortnightly. A Level 4 arborist on fortnightly pay receives $2,238.20 before tax and super. After tax and Medicare, the fortnightly take-home is about $1,886.38. This can help with budgeting for regular expenses. Use our pay guides for more award-specific information.
Key Takeaways
- The arborist salary under the award ranges from $29.45 to $30.38 per hour for full-time work.
- Annual gross = hourly × 38 × 52.
- Casual loading adds 25%.
- Super is 12% on top, not deducted.
- Tax and Medicare reduce take-home pay.
For reference tables and more classification details, visit reference tables.
Disclaimer: Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.