Built for Australian landscapers
Free Landscaping Invoice Generator Australia
Create professional, ATO-compliant landscaping invoices in your browser - no sign-up required. Supports per-m2 and hourly pricing, materials markup, plant and turf costs, equipment hire, and deposit invoices. Built for Australian landscapers, gardeners, and lawn care businesses. Download as PDF instantly.
How to Create a Landscaping Invoice in Australia
- 1
Select your invoice type - garden maintenance, landscaping project, or deposit invoice
Choose the invoice type that matches your job. Deposit invoices unlock project value and balance fields for turf and plant orders.
- 2
Enter your business name, ABN, and contractor licence number (for structural work)
Add your business details and toggle GST if you are registered.
- 3
Add the client details and site address
Enter billing details and the property or site address where landscaping work was performed.
- 4
Choose your pricing mode - hourly, per m2, fixed price, or mixed
Pick hourly for garden maintenance, per m2 for turf and paving, fixed price for full projects, or mixed for complex jobs.
- 5
Add line items by category - labour, turf, plants, mulch, hard materials, or equipment hire
List work and materials by category. Multiple categories appear grouped on the invoice with subtotals.
- 6
Enable materials markup if you want to show it transparently on the invoice
Enter cost prices for materials lines and the markup amount appears as a separate line in the totals block.
- 7
Add a deposit structure if this is a deposit invoice for a turf or plant order
Enter total project value and deposit percentage. The invoice shows deposit payable, GST, and balance remaining.
- 8
Download as PDF or print
Review the live preview, then export an ATO-compliant PDF or print directly.
How Landscapers Price Their Work in Australia
Landscaping pricing in Australia uses three main models depending on the type of work. Most full garden makeover invoices combine hourly labour, per-m2 materials, and fixed equipment hire in a single document.
| Pricing model | When it applies | Typical rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Garden maintenance, pruning, weeding, general tidy | $55-$110/hr |
| Per square metre | Turf installation, paving, mulching, soil preparation | $15-$160/m2 depending on material |
| Fixed project price | Full garden makeovers, retaining walls, complete installs | $5,000-$60,000+ |
| Day rate | Large crews, multi-day site works | $570+/day |
Most landscaping projects combine all three. A full garden makeover invoice might show hourly labour for site prep, per-m2 pricing for turf and paving, and a fixed price for the bobcat hire. This generator supports all pricing modes in a single invoice.
Do Landscapers Need a Licence in Australia?
Licence requirements for landscaping depend on the type of work and the state. The key distinction is between soft landscaping (mowing, planting, mulching, garden maintenance) and structural landscaping (retaining walls, paving, decking, pergolas, fencing).
| State | Soft landscaping | Structural landscaping - licence threshold |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | No licence required | Licence required over $5,000 in labour and materials (inc GST) - NSW Fair Trading |
| VIC | No licence required | Domestic Builder (Limited) registration required over $10,000 - Victorian Building Authority |
| QLD | No licence required | QBCC licence required over $3,300 in labour and materials (inc GST) |
| WA | No licence required | Building contractor licence required over $12,000 |
| SA | No licence required | Check with Consumer and Business Services for structural work |
| TAS | No licence required | Check with Consumer, Building and Occupational Services |
| ACT | No licence required | Class D builder licence for non-habitable structures |
| NT | No licence required | Check local council requirements |
Penalties for unlicensed structural landscaping work in NSW can reach $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for companies. Always include your licence number on invoices for structural work - it establishes your credentials and satisfies commercial contract requirements.
Materials Markup on a Landscaping Invoice - What Is It and Should You Show It?
Landscaping materials are typically marked up 15-25% above cost price. This markup compensates the landscaper for supplier admin, transport to site, material handling, breakage, and the credit terms they carry with their supplier.
There are two ways to handle this on an invoice:
Absorbing the markup - the client sees a single line item price that includes the markup, but the markup amount is not shown. Simpler, but can lead to disputes if a client compares prices at Bunnings.
Transparent markup- the sell price for each materials line is shown, plus a clearly labelled "Materials markup (20%)" line in the totals block. The cost price is never shown to the client.
Transparent markup is increasingly preferred by professional landscapers because it eliminates price comparison disputes and positions the markup as a legitimate service fee - which it is. This generator supports both approaches.
When Should a Landscaper Use a Deposit Invoice?
Deposit invoices are essential for any landscaping job involving turf orders, plant supply, or significant material pre-purchase.
- Turf orders cannot be cancelled once cut at the turf farm
- Native and specialty plants are often ordered specifically for a job and are non-refundable
- Concrete and pavers are poured or cut to specification
- Excavation and site prep can begin before materials arrive, leaving the landscaper exposed
Industry standard for deposits is 50% of the total project value for jobs over $2,000. For smaller jobs, payment on completion is common. The deposit invoice should clearly state what the remaining balance is, when it is due, and that certain material orders cannot be cancelled once placed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this landscaping invoice generator free?
- Yes - free, no sign-up, unlimited invoices.
- Can I invoice per square metre for turf and paving?
- Yes. Select "Per m2 / m3" pricing mode, or use "Mixed" mode for invoices that combine hourly labour with per-m2 materials. Each line item has a unit selector (m2, m3, lineal metres, or standard) so you can mix pricing units in a single invoice.
- How do I add materials markup to my invoice?
- Toggle "Show materials markup" and set your default markup percentage (15-25% is industry standard). For materials line items - turf, plants, mulch, soil, and hard materials - enter your cost price and the sell price is calculated automatically. The markup amount appears as a separate, clearly labelled line in the totals block. Cost prices are never shown on the invoice.
- Can I create a deposit invoice for a turf or plant order?
- Yes. Select "Deposit invoice" as the invoice type. Enter the total project value and your deposit percentage (default 50%). The invoice shows the deposit payable now, the GST on the deposit, and the balance remaining with a due date. The notes block auto-fills with the correct cancellation and balance terms.
- Do I need a licence number on my landscaping invoice?
- For soft landscaping (mowing, pruning, gardening), no licence is required in any state and no licence number field appears on the invoice. For structural landscaping (retaining walls, paving, decking, pergolas), a licence is required above certain thresholds and the licence number should appear on the invoice. Toggle to "Landscaping project" type to show the licence number field.
- Can I use this for recurring lawn mowing invoices?
- Yes. Select "Garden maintenance / lawn care" type and toggle "Recurring service" on. Set your frequency (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) and service period. The invoice will show the recurring schedule clearly - useful for ongoing domestic clients and commercial grounds maintenance contracts.
- How do I add equipment hire to my invoice?
- Select "Equipment hire" as the line item category. An additional "hire period" field appears where you can note the hire duration (e.g. "1 day" or "4 hours"). Equipment hire appears as its own category block in the invoice when other categories are present.
- What is the difference between a landscaping invoice and a deposit invoice?
- A landscaping invoice is a request for final or progress payment for completed work. A deposit invoice is issued before work begins to secure a deposit on materials that cannot be cancelled once ordered - primarily turf, plants, and specialty materials. Both are fully ATO-compliant tax invoices when issued by a GST-registered landscaper.