Downer has been awarded the Property and Asset Services (PAS) contract to deliver base and estate services across their two largest regions NSW/ACT and QLD. This is a significant milestone for our business and our enduring 80+ year relationship with the Australian Defence Force.
We’re inviting applications to join our permanent workforce at Holsworthy Barracks as a Leading Hand – Grounds & Gardens. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute.
We’re looking for people from all backgrounds – whether you bring Defence experience, industry knowledge, or transferable skills from other sectors.
If you’re passionate about contributing to Defence capability and want to be part of a high-performing, inclusive team – express your interest today.
What You’ll Do
This role offers a broad scope, with key responsibilities including:
- Providing basic supervision of grounds and garden maintenance teams ensuring upkeep of estates
- Supervise inspection, maintenance and upkeep of site grounds & gardens
- Ensure work delivered aligns with Gardens and Grounds requirements
- Use of Grounds and Gardens delivery and inspection plans
What You’ll Bring
- Certificate III/IV in Horticulture. (desirable)
- Diploma in Landscape Management. (desirable)
- Grounds maintenance experience
- Horticulture expertise
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance (Australian citizenship is mandatory).
- Current open driver’s licence.
More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.
Why Downer?
At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.
Downer is a sovereign-owned, ASX-listed Australian company and proud recipient of the Estate & Infrastructure Business of the Year (2025) and Prime Contractor of the Year for two consecutive years (2024, 2025). With over 80 years of support to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), our Base and Estate Management team delivers innovative solutions and integrated services to both the ADF and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
What It Means to Belong at Downer
We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:
- Training and development to support and diversify your career.
- With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career.
- Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more.
- Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.
You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.
We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.
We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.
If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.
What You'll Need to Apply
Please submit your application by following the link at the Apply Now button along with your CV and any applicable certificates and licenses.
Skills Required
- Certificate III or IV in Horticulture
- Diploma in Landscape Management
- Grounds maintenance experience
- Horticulture expertise
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance
- Australian citizenship
- Current open driver's licence
Downer Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Downer Group and has not been reviewed or approved by Downer Group.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime, penalty rates, and structured allowances are often viewed as strong earners that lift overall compensation, particularly in field and trade roles.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing resources such as a 24/7 EAP, mental-health support, health checks, flu vaccinations, and retail discounts are consistently highlighted as valuable parts of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave options include parental leave and domestic-violence leave, contributing to a broader benefits offering across different life stages.
Downer Group Insights
What We Do
Downer Group is a leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand, operating in sectors such as transport, utilities, facilities, and defense.
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