Tax deductions and accounting for landscapers.
You can generally claim your mower fleet, trailer, vehicle and hand tools against your landscaping income, along with materials you supply on jobs, as long as they relate to earning that income and you keep records. This guide covers what landscapers typically claim, how GST works when you're supplying plants and materials, and how we run the books for landscaping businesses. We're Brisbane based and work with landscapers across Australia.
Updated July 2026 · Reviewed by the LINK Advisors team
What landscapers can claim.
The deductions that matter most in your trade, in rough order of value. Every one still has to pass the ATO's tests: you paid for it, it relates to earning your income, and you can show a record.
Mower fleet and equipment servicing
Ride-on and push mowers, edgers and their servicing and repair costs are generally deductible, either claimed outright or depreciated depending on cost - check the current instant asset write-off threshold with us.
Trailer and vehicle running costs
Your trailer and the ute or truck towing it are generally deductible for their business-use share, whether that's under the logbook method or cents-per-kilometre for the vehicle, plus registration and insurance on the trailer itself.
Hand-held power tools
Blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, hedge shears and similar equipment bought for the job are generally deductible.
Fuel and equipment consumables
Fuel, oil, trimmer line and blades used across your equipment fleet are generally deductible operating costs.
Chemical and spray certifications
Where your work requires certification to apply chemicals, herbicides or pesticides, the licensing and renewal costs are generally deductible.
Protective and sun-safety gear
Steel-cap boots, gloves and sun-protective workwear reasonably required for outdoor trade work are generally deductible.
Public liability insurance
Premiums for public liability cover, and insurance on your equipment and trailer, are generally deductible.
Nursery stock and materials for resale
Plants, mulch, pavers and other materials you buy specifically to supply on a client's job are generally deductible as a cost of that job, and GST applies when you on-sell them.
Design and quoting software
Landscape design or quoting apps used to plan jobs and price them accurately are generally deductible subscription costs.
Mobile phone and data
The work-use portion of your phone and data for photos, quotes and client coordination is generally deductible.
GST and BAS, without the headaches.
Landscaping jobs often mix labour with materials you supply yourself, plants, turf, pavers, mulch, so GST applies to the full price you charge the client for those materials, including your markup, not just your margin. Keep supplier invoices tidy so the GST credits you're claiming actually match what you're on-selling.
A lot of landscaping businesses run seasonal cashflow, busier in some months than others, which makes it worth keeping an eye on your GST registration turnover and BAS obligations year-round rather than just at the busy end of the year. We can set your reporting cycle up to suit how your work actually flows.
If you use casual labour or subcontract to other landscapers for bigger jobs, a Taxable Payments Annual Report is likely to apply. We prepare this from your Xero data each year.
Sole trader, company or trust?
Landscaping generally carries lower professional liability risk than trades working on structural or wet-area elements, so plenty of landscapers run comfortably as sole traders while it's mostly them and maybe a casual offsider. As your equipment fleet grows in value, you take on employees, or you want a cleaner split between the business and your personal assets, a company structure starts to earn its keep. It's worth revisiting as your fleet and crew size grow, not just at tax time.
Run the jobs, we run the numbers.
Job scheduling and crew management apps like ServiceM8 or Tradify help you route jobs, track materials against each site and quote consistently, and they connect into Xero so your job costing reflects what a job actually cost in fuel, materials and time, not just what you invoiced for it. Getting this set up properly is often the single biggest lever on landscaping margins.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I claim my trailer and mower?
Generally yes. A trailer and mower fleet used for your landscaping work are deductible, either claimed outright or depreciated depending on their cost, and running costs like fuel and servicing are deductible too. Keep receipts and a note of what each piece of equipment is used for.
Can I claim plants and materials I buy for a job?
Yes, materials you buy specifically to supply on a client's job, like plants, turf or pavers, are generally deductible as a cost of that job, and you'll charge GST on the full sale price if you're registered.
Do I need to register for GST as a landscaper?
You're required to once your turnover crosses the GST registration threshold. Given how materials-heavy landscaping can be, plenty of businesses register earlier so they can claim GST credits on plants, mulch and equipment as they buy them.
Should I be a sole trader or set up a company?
It depends on how much equipment value you're carrying, whether you're employing a crew, and your growth plans. Solo operators and small crews often do fine as sole traders; once the fleet and team grow, a company structure usually starts making more sense for asset protection.
How do I handle GST on a job that's mostly materials?
GST applies to the full invoiced price of materials you supply, including any markup, in the same way as your labour. Keeping supplier invoices matched to each job in Xero makes this straightforward at BAS time instead of a scramble.
Talk to an accountant who knows landscaper businesses.
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