Landscape Architect

Highly relevant tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Consulting with professionals and clients about external area designs, costs and construction.
• Compiling and analysing site and community data about geographical and ecological features, landforms, soils, vegetation, site hydrology, visual characteristics and human-made structures, to formulate land use and development recommendations, and for preparing environmental impact statements.
• Preparing reports, site plans, working drawings, specifications and cost estimates for land development, showing location and details of proposals, including ground modelling, structures, vegetation and access.
• Engaging local communities, authorities and stakeholders by public participation in decision making relating to projects that impact landscape.
• Carrying out feasibility studies and impact assessments to gauge the effect of development on the ecology, environmental character, cultural values and community health and welfare of landscapes.
• Conducting research and analysis to develop sustainable landscape design, planning and management practices, theories, methods and development strategies to promote green infrastructure, the sustainable management of natural, agricultural, rural and urban landscapes and the sustainable use and management of global environmental resources.
• Collecting and documenting data through site analysis, including an appreciation of Indigenous practices, landform, soils, vegetation, hydrology, visual characteristics and human-made and managed features.
• Preparing landscape documentation, including drawings, specifications, schedules and contract documents, and calling tenders on behalf of clients.
• Managing digital technologies and representation of spatial systems, and client and/or community presentations related to the environment and landscape.
• Inspecting construction work and other sites (natural/human made) in progress to ensure compliance with plans, specifications and quality standards.
• Providing expert advice and advocacy on landscape matters in conflict resolution, judicial court and commissions, competitions, media and public relations.

Landscape Architects work intimately with the natural and built environments, applying aesthetic and scientific principles to address ecological sustainability, quality and health of landscapes, collective memory, heritage and culture, and territorial justice.

Landscape Architects may also be involved with rehabilitation, conversation and mitigation for landscapes and wetlands. By leading and coordinating other disciplines, landscape architects deal with the interactions between natural and cultural ecosystems, such as adaptation and mitigation related to climate change and the stability of ecosystems, socio-economic improvements, and community health and welfare to create places that anticipate social and economic well-being.

Categories of acceptable employment contexts include (but are not limited to):

• Landscape Design Company
• Property Development Company
• Public sector.

This occupation requires applicants to demonstrate a clear focus on the design of outdoor areas and open spaces, to differentiate themselves from Architects. Applicants applying under this occupation are expected to prepare specifications, arrange cost estimates, list building materials required, and detail working drawings of the site. Landscape Architects are responsible for understanding and supporting positive engagement or mitigation of the built/natural environments. They liaise with architects, engineers and other professionals, and advise on landscape problems concerned with environmental planning.

Landscape Architects may also establish their own private practice or be self-employed. Please refer to the paragraph below, Supporting Material for Assessment, for documentation requirements relating to self-employed applicants.

This occupation covers professional practitioners. Applicants primarily working in academia may be better suited to another occupation on ANZSCO.

When applying for a Skills Assessment, please ensure you submit sufficient evidence supporting your proof of identity, qualification and employment claims. A full list of the documents required can be found on the VETASSESS website.

For this occupation, you must also submit a link to your portfolio or upload samples of your design work, of no more than 5MB per sample in your online application submission. 

If you are nominating this occupation, and you are self-employed, you are required to provide the following:

• Evidence of self-employment such as sole trading or business registration details and/or official statements issued by your (registered) accountant and/or legal team. The statement from your accountant or solicitor must include the accountant’s or solicitor’s letterhead, your full name, how long you have been continuously self-employed including official dates in each role, the nature of the business conducted, the signature and contact details of the accountant or solicitor.
• Statutory declaration listing your main duties during self-employment.
• Payment evidence showing regular income from self-employment, such as client invoices together with corresponding bank statements and/or official taxation records.
• Supplementary evidence, such as contracts with clients or suppliers, client testimonials, evidence of projects completed.