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How to Become A Nursery Worker

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What is a Nursery Worker

A Nursery Worker grows and cares for plants in plant nurseries, playing a key part in Australia’s green industry. If you love the outdoors and working with plants, this could be the perfect first step in your career.

Your days involve watering, weeding, moving seedlings, and adjusting water systems. You’ll also handle supplies, prepare growing areas, and keep the workspace tidy. No two days are the same.

You don’t need formal training to get started. Many Nursery Workers do a Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20422) at TAFE or via an RTO. This builds solid plant knowledge and can fast-track your career. With time, you can work your way up to a Nurseryperson trade role.

There are around 6,300 Nursery Workers across Australia, with a stable jobs outlook (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The industry offers a mix of full-time and part-time roles, which suits different life stages.

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Career Outlook for Nursery Worker

A career as a Nursery Worker offers stable work in Australia’s green industry. Around 6,300 people work in this role nationally, with a stable jobs outlook (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The median age is 38, and the workforce covers a broad age range.

Around 51% of Nursery Workers are full-time, with full-timers averaging 40 hours per week (ABS, 2021 Census). The other 49% work part-time, making this a flexible option for people with other commitments. Women make up 56% of the workforce, which shows the role has wide appeal.

The industry spans farming, wholesale trade, and retail nurseries. Pay is set under the Nursery Award (MA000033), with entry-level rates starting around $48,000 a year. Interest in sustainable gardens and urban green spaces is growing across Australia. This means demand for nursery workers is expected to stay strong.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Nursery Worker

Step 1: Research the Role and the Industry

Start by learning what Nursery Workers do in Australia. The role involves growing, cultivating, and caring for plants in plant nurseries. Visit the Your Career profile (ANZSCO 841412) for an overview of tasks, sectors, and career paths. This helps you decide if the role suits your skills and interests.

Step 2: Complete a Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20422)

Enrol in the Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20422) at a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This entry-level course takes around 6 to 12 months. It covers plant growing, soil basics, water systems, and safe work practices. It is the most common path into nursery work in Australia and can be done while working part-time. Check the current status of this course at training.gov.au before enrolling.

Step 3: Gain On-the-Job Experience in a Nursery

Apply for entry-level roles at plant nurseries, garden centres, or wholesale plant businesses. Hands-on work builds plant care skills that no course can fully replicate. Many courses include a work placement. This is a direct way to build your resume and meet people in the industry.

Step 4: Build Skills On the Job

As you work, develop your knowledge of plant types, pest and disease control, and water system use. These skills make you more useful to employers and open the door to more skilled work. Ask about in-house training or short courses through Greenlife Industry Australia or local RTOs.

Step 5: Progress to a Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30122)

Once you have experience, consider the Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30122). This course takes around 12 to 18 months part-time at a TAFE or RTO. It builds deeper skills in plant growing, production planning, and plant science. Finishing it can lead to a Nurseryperson trade role or supervisor jobs in the nursery industry.

What does a Nursery Worker do?

As a Nursery Worker, your days are full of hands-on plant care tasks. You’ll load and unload supplies, prepare growing plots, and help propagate and transplant plants. Watering and weeding by hand are daily tasks. You’ll also keep work areas clean and adjust irrigation systems, shade, and ventilation to help plants thrive. No formal qualifications are needed to start, and you learn a lot on the job.

Tasks

Nursery Workers keep horticultural nurseries running by taking care of plants and the growing environment each day. The work is active and hands-on, with a focus on plant health and site organisation.

  • Loading, unloading, and moving nursery supplies and equipment
  • Preparing nursery sites and growing plots using hand tools and machines
  • Helping propagate and transplant plants from seedlings to growing areas
  • Watering and weeding plants by hand each day
  • Tidying work areas and removing rubbish to keep the site safe
  • Adjusting mist irrigation systems, shade, and ventilation for healthy growth

Skills for Success

A love of plants and a disciplined approach to daily care are at the heart of this role. Practical skills like watering, weeding, and using hand tools and irrigation systems are the everyday foundation.

Physical fitness matters because the work is active and often outdoors. You’ll lift and move stock, work in all weather, and stay focused on detail to keep plants healthy.

Good teamwork and communication round out the skill set. Most nurseries run on shared routines, and workers who are reliable, organised, and easy to work with are highly valued. A willingness to keep learning and building your plant knowledge will set you apart.

Skills & Attributes

  • Basic plant care knowledge (watering, weeding, propagation)
  • Use of hand tools and small machinery
  • Knowledge of irrigation systems
  • Physical fitness and stamina
  • Attention to detail
  • Health and safety awareness
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Time management
  • Clear communication skills
  • Problem-solving for plant health issues
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
  • Adaptability to seasonal work demands

Average Salaries

Nursery Workers in Australia are paid under the Nursery Award (MA000033), set by the Fair Work Commission. Entry-level workers earn around $48,000 per year. Skilled workers can earn up to $75,000 a year. The average pay is around $55,000 per year (based on recent Australian industry data, 2025). Pay varies by employer size, location, and years of experience.

min $48 K

max $75 K

av $55 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.