Aged care garden maintenance directly improves the physical health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life of residents in aged care facilities across Melbourne. Research consistently shows that access to well-maintained outdoor spaces improves mood, mobility, and cognitive function in older Australians, yet aged care garden maintenance is still treated as an afterthought at many facilities. This guide covers why outdoor spaces matter, what professional garden maintenance at an aged care facility involves, how it can be funded under the current aged care framework, and what facility managers and families should look for when choosing a provider.
Key Takeaways
- Well-maintained gardens directly improve physical and mental wellbeing for aged care residents in Australia.
- The aged care standards framework recognises access to outdoor spaces as part of quality of life.
- The new Aged Care Act 2024 removed caps on gardening, giving residents and providers more flexibility.
- Professional aged care garden maintenance covers mowing, weeding, pruning, mulching, path clearing, and seasonal planting.
- NDIS participants living in aged care may be able to fund garden maintenance through their plan.
- Choosing an insured, specialist provider rather than a casual gardener protects the facility and its residents.
- Must Have Maintenance’s aged care gardening services are delivered by fully insured, NDIS-registered gardeners who understand the safety, accessibility and wellbeing requirements of aged care environments.
Why Outdoor Spaces Matter for Aged Care Residents
Access to nature is not a luxury in aged care. It is a fundamental component of quality of life. In fact, the evidence for this is substantial and growing.
The physical health benefits of outdoor access
According to Health Victoria, time spent outside is vital for good physical and mental health. Limiting access to natural light affects circadian rhythms, vitamin D synthesis, calcium absorption, and general wellbeing. For residents with reduced mobility, even a short period outdoors each day maintains physical function and reduces the risk of falls associated with prolonged sedentary behaviour.
The mental health and cognitive benefits
A September 2025 report by Swinburne University, produced in collaboration with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, found that 94 per cent of older Australians consider having access to gardening space extremely important. The research confirms that older adults gain significant mental and physical health benefits from access to gardens, particularly around reducing isolation and maintaining a sense of purpose.
For residents living with dementia, the benefits are especially significant and well-documented. Familiar plants, sensory stimulation, and the simple act of being outdoors can reduce agitation, improve sleep patterns, and create moments of calm that are difficult to achieve in indoor settings alone.
Social connection and quality of life
A well-maintained garden supports social connection by giving residents a reason to go outside, a space to receive visitors, and a setting for group activities and programs. By contrast, poorly maintained grounds create barriers. In particular, overgrown paths create safety risks. Similarly, neglected beds signal institutional indifference. Ultimately, a well-maintained outdoor space signals that the facility values the lived experience of its residents beyond clinical care alone.
What Aged Care Garden Maintenance Involves
Professional aged care garden maintenance covers lawn mowing, garden bed care, green waste removal, mulching, tree and hedge trimming, seasonal planting, and path clearance. It requires an understanding of accessibility requirements, safety standards, and the specific needs of older residents who use the space daily. The table below outlines the core services involved.
| Service | What Is Included |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing and edging | Regular mowing to the correct height; defined edges between lawn and paths or beds |
| Garden bed maintenance | Weeding, pruning, deadheading, and turning soil to keep beds healthy and presentable |
| Green waste removal | Clearing fallen leaves, trimmings, and garden debris from all outdoor areas |
| Mulching | Topping up garden beds with mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture |
| Tree and hedge trimming | Maintaining safe sight lines, removing overhanging branches, and shaping hedges |
| Seasonal planting | Refreshing colour and interest in garden beds according to the season |
| Path and paving clearance | Keeping walkways clear of debris, moss, and trip hazards |
Beyond routine maintenance, a specialist provider must also understand which plants are safe for residents, particularly those living with dementia or who may be prone to placing plants in their mouths. Remove toxic species from the garden or avoid them in replanting. Thorny plants near pathways create injury risk. Position them away from walking surfaces or trim them back regularly.
READY TO IMPROVE YOUR FACILITY’S OUTDOOR SPACES?
- Must Have Maintenance provides specialist aged care garden maintenance across Melbourne. We assess your grounds, understand your residents’ needs, and deliver a consistent maintenance program tailored to your facility. Call 1300 687 846 to discuss your facility’s requirements.
Aged Care Garden Maintenance and the 2026 Funding Framework
Garden maintenance is a funded support under the current aged care framework, and the rules changed significantly in late 2024. Facility managers, family members, and care coordinators should understand both the funding categories available and the caps that were removed.
The new Aged Care Act and gardening caps removed
In December 2024, the Australian Government confirmed a significant change: caps on gardening and house cleaning were removed under the new Aged Care Act service list. According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, this change gives older people more flexibility and choice in how their care funding is used. For facilities and residents, this means facilities and residents can now access garden maintenance more freely, without the previous restrictions on frequency or scope.
Home care packages and residential aged care
For residents living at home under a Home Care Package, garden maintenance has long been an approved support, subject to package level. Under the current framework, this remains the case. The removal of caps strengthens the position of garden maintenance as a mainstream funded support rather than a discretionary add-on.
NDIS participants in aged care settings
Residents who also hold an NDIS plan may be able to fund garden maintenance through their plan, depending on their goals and support categories. Must Have Maintenance is a registered NDIS provider. Our team can discuss NDIS gardening services for participants living in aged care or supported accommodation settings.
What to Look for in an Aged Care Garden Maintenance Provider
The right aged care garden maintenance provider must carry public liability insurance, have experience working in regulated care environments, and deliver consistent scheduled visits. The wrong choice creates safety risks, compliance exposure, and a poor experience for residents.
Insurance and compliance. First and foremost, a provider working on aged care grounds must carry public liability insurance. This is non-negotiable. Any incident involving an uninsured contractor creates significant risk for the facility operator. Always request a current certificate of currency before engagement.
Experience with aged care environments. Aged care gardens have specific requirements around accessibility, plant selection, and operational hours. A provider experienced in aged care settings understands these constraints and works around them without disrupting resident routines.
Consistency and reliability. Consequently, residents benefit from a garden that looks consistently maintained, not one that staff neglect for months and then blitz in a single visit. A reliable provider delivers scheduled visits and communicates clearly when circumstances change.
WorkSafe and TAC approval. Must Have Maintenance holds WorkSafe Victoria and TAC approvals. This matters in an aged care context where the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable residents demands that providers meet the same standards required of other contractors working in regulated care environments.
Fixed pricing and no lock-in contracts. In practice, facility budgets require predictability. A provider offering fixed pricing based on time allocated, with no hidden costs and no lock-in contracts, is a more reliable partner for facility managers responsible for reporting against budget.
Must Have Maintenance delivers professional garden maintenance and specialist aged care gardening services across Melbourne with 6 plus years of experience, 3,000 plus jobs completed, and a 5-star Google rating. Call 1300 687 846 or submit an enquiry to discuss a maintenance program for your facility.
What Good Aged Care Garden Maintenance Looks Like
A quality aged care garden is not necessarily elaborate. In fact, simplicity and clarity are more important for residents than visual complexity. Here is what good maintenance looks like in practice.
Clear, safe pathways
Above all, paths should be free of debris, moss, and uneven edges at all times. For residents using walkers or wheelchairs, path quality directly determines whether the garden is accessible or effectively off-limits. Regular sweeping, edging, and surface checks are essential maintenance tasks.
Well-maintained lawn areas
Ideally, lawn areas should be mowed consistently to a height that remains neat without creating scalping risk during dry periods. Furthermore, overgrown grass creates a neglected appearance and harbours insects that can cause discomfort for residents. Professional lawn mowing on a regular schedule is one of the most visible indicators of facility care standards.
Tidy, healthy garden beds
Garden beds should be weeded regularly, with spent plants removed and seasonal planting refreshed as needed. Additionally, mulching across all beds suppresses weeds, reduces watering requirements, and gives the garden a consistently well-kept appearance between visits.
Green waste managed and removed
Fallen leaves, trimmings, and pruning waste should be removed from the grounds promptly. Accumulated and unmanaged green waste removal keeps paths safe, prevents slip hazards, and maintains the sensory quality of the outdoor environment for residents.
Trees and hedges safely managed
Overhanging branches create fall risk and reduce light penetration to garden beds and seating areas. Trim hedges along pathways regularly to maintain sight lines and prevent encroachment onto walking surfaces. Trees with visible dead branches require assessment and management by a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my aged care cover gardening?
Yes, in most cases. Under the current aged care framework, garden maintenance is an approved support for both Home Care Package recipients and residents of aged care facilities. In December 2024, the Australian Government removed the previous caps on gardening as part of the updated Aged Care Service List, giving older people more flexibility in how their funding is used. Speak with your case manager or facility care coordinator to confirm what your specific plan or package covers. For NDIS participants living in supported accommodation, NDIS gardening services may also be available through your plan.
What does aged care garden maintenance consist of?
Professional aged care garden maintenance typically includes lawn mowing and edging, garden bed weeding and pruning, mulching, green waste removal, path and paving clearance, tree and hedge trimming, and seasonal planting. At an aged care facility, a good provider also considers plant safety for residents living with dementia, accessibility requirements for pathways, and operational timing to avoid disrupting resident activities and programs. Tailor the scope of maintenance to the specific grounds and resident population of each facility.
What are the changes to aged care in 2026?
The most significant recent change for aged care garden maintenance is the removal of caps on gardening under the Aged Care Service List, confirmed by the Department of Health and Aged Care in December 2024. This gives residents and providers more flexibility in accessing and funding garden maintenance as a support. The broader aged care reforms under the new Aged Care Act, which came into effect in November 2025, have also strengthened resident rights, focused on quality of life outcomes, and increased transparency requirements for providers. Garden maintenance, as a direct quality of life support, sits squarely within the intent of these reforms.
What can my aged care pay for?
Home Care Packages can fund a wide range of services including personal care, nursing, domestic assistance, social support, transport, and maintenance services such as garden care and minor home modifications. The specific services available depend on your package level (Level 1 to 4) and the goals in your care plan. Garden maintenance is a commonly approved support, particularly where it contributes to outdoor access, fall prevention, and quality of life. From November 2025, the new Aged Care Act strengthened the rights of residents to direct how their funding is used within approved service categories. Speak with your case manager or provider to understand what your current plan covers.
The Bottom Line on Aged Care Garden Maintenance
A well-maintained garden is one of the most direct investments a facility can make in the daily wellbeing of its residents. It improves mood, supports mobility, reduces isolation, and meets the quality of life expectations now embedded in the aged care regulatory framework. Must Have Maintenance provides specialist aged care gardening services across Melbourne, fully insured, WorkSafe and TAC approved, and NDIS registered. Contact us to discuss a tailored maintenance program for your facility or to arrange a property assessment. Call 1300 687 846 or submit an enquiry today.
