The horticulture sector has many exciting occupation opportunities. The industry has also seen stable growth, making it a reliable source of jobs in Australia. In the last decade, horticulture has grown by over $6.15 billion – a trend predicted to continue until at least 2030.
A Chisholm Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30716 is a great starting point for a successful horticulture career. It can also help you to pathway into further study or more senior positions in the industry.
Here, we look at some great jobs in horticulture that can grow a successful career.
Plant nursery worker
A plant nursery worker ensures operations run smoothly in nurseries or garden centres. They are involved in the growth and care of plants and have a high level of plant knowledge. They often provide advice and service to customers.
Who is this role suitable for?
A plant nursery or garden centre job would be perfect for you if you love working in a team and like to work face-to-face with customers. You’ll also need a desire to work with plants hands-on and like to be active most of the time.
What are a plant nursery worker's main duties?
- growing and propagating plants
- weeding, pruning, and watering plants
- assessing and monitoring plant health and growth
- assisting customers with sales, enquiries and plant care
- maintaining cleanliness and order
- managing stock levels
- maintaining irrigation and climate control systems.
Career pathways
This role could lead to senior positions like team leader or nursery manager. You could also further your knowledge of plants and trees and move into roles that work more closely with plant growing and care.
Horticulturist
Horticulturists work directly with plants and have a deep understanding of plant science. They can wear many hats but often assess soil, identify pests and diseases, and monitor plant growth. Horticulturists are also often involved in landscape and garden plant arrangement.
Who is this role suitable for?
A horticulturist job is great if you like to be hands-on with plants but are also interested in the scientific side of horticulture. You should be methodical, have excellent observation skills, a creative eye and good communication.
What are a horticulturist's main duties?
- caring for and ensuring the health of plants
- monitoring and treating plants and growing environments for pests and diseases
- planning and designing gardens
- operating and maintaining machinery
- giving plant care advice.
Career pathways
An entry-level horticulturist job could take you in many directions. You could pursue a career in garden design or run a landscaping business. You may advance your knowledge and work in plant science roles or in food and crop cultivation.
Groundskeeper
A groundskeeper works to keep outside spaces maintained and tidy. They could work for one employer or have many jobs out in the community. They can work independently or in a team of groundkeepers working over large areas.
Who is this role suitable for?
A role as a groundskeeper would be a good fit if you enjoy working outdoors, are confident working with heavy machinery, like physical work and have a good eye for detail.
What are a groundskeeper's main duties?
- maintaining tools and machinery
- mowing, edging and watering lawns
- sowing, planting and fertilising plants
- trimming plants, bushes and hedges
- maintaining paths, benches, pergolas and signs
- Installing irrigation systems
- removing debris from the grounds.
Career pathways
A job as a groundskeeper can lead to senior management positions. You could start a contracting business and employ staff to expand. You could also advance your skills and work in landscaping roles.
Gardener
Like a groundskeeper, a gardener will plant, grow, and maintain plants in an outside setting. However, gardeners have specialised knowledge of plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees. They can help plan and start a garden and know what flowers plants will produce and seasonal planting.
Who is this role suitable for?
To be a successful gardener, you'll need to love the outdoors and physical work. In this horticulture occupation, an artistic eye comes in handy. And gardeners often work directly with customers, so good communication is a must. If you love house plants, have a garden at home or help in a community garden, this career could be a perfect fit.
What are a gardener's main duties?
- choosing plants and trees for planting
- preparing soil and garden beds
- planning gardens
- planting seeds, plants, and hedges
- spraying and treating plants for diseases or insects
- watering, weeding, and trimming plants
- constructing basic fences, trellises, ponds, paths, and outdoor furniture.
Career pathways
To further your gardening career, you could start working your way up to a leadership position or start your own business. You could also upskill and pursue a career in garden or landscaping design.
Landscape labourer
Landscape labourers are involved in a wide range of landscaping jobs, from preparing the land for new outdoor areas to installing fountains, ponds, furniture, pathways, and more. They also plant gardens, trees, and hedges and maintain these areas.
Who is this role suitable for?
This role will suit you if you enjoy physical work and being outdoors. You'll need to be good at working in a team, have excellent communication skills, and be able to follow detailed instructions.
What are a landscape labourer's main duties?
- adhering to landscape design plans
- constructing outdoor space infrastructure
- digging garden areas
- planting seedlings, shrubs and trees
- watering, trimming and caring for plants
- controlling weeds and pests
- installing irrigation systems.
Career pathways
An entry-level landscape labourer or landscape gardening job can lead to senior roles like landscape foreperson. You could become more involved in the creative aspect and design of landscaping and gardening. Eventually, you could start your own landscaping business.
Where can a career in horticulture lead?
A TAFE horticulture course is a great way to get your foot in the door for many careers. But, if you take further study or progress in your job, there are plenty of unique jobs in the horticulture industry you could get into.
Botany artist. Take further study in art and combine your knowledge of the anatomy of plants to capture their beauty and create masterpieces.
Horticulture therapist. Horticulture therapy combines skills in social services with gardening to support people with mental and physical health problems.
Conservationist. With further study, your knowledge of plants and their habitats could set you up for a role that has you playing a part in caring for our planet.
Horticulture writer. Pass on that knowledge with your good communication skills as a writer. You could see your work in newsletters, gardening magazines, media publications and books.
If you love the idea of working with nature, there are plenty of horticulture job opportunities available. So, put your green thumb to use and get your career started with a horticulture or landscaping course.
Feeling inspired about working in horticulture? Find out all you need to know about horticulture courses at Chisholm.
