How to become a Horticultural Nursery Assistant
Also called: Nursery Worker (Horticulture)
Assists in propagating, cultivating and harvesting plants in a horticultural nursery. May also assist in propagating and cultivating plants for forestry purposes.
Main tasks
- Loads, unloads and moves nursery supplies and equipment
- Prepares nursery sites and plots using hand tools and machines
- Assists with propagating and transplanting plants
- Tends plants by hand watering and weeding
- Adjusts mist irrigation systems, shade and ventilation
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Nursery Operations (AHC31124); Certificate II in Arboriculture (AHC20520); Certificate IV in Horticulture (AHC40422); Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20422); Certificate II in Nursery Operations (AHC20724); Certificate II in Production Horticulture (AHC20324); Certificate II in Protected Horticulture (AHC21824); Certificate I in Horticulture (AHC10322)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 32,400 people work in this job group now, and about 34,100 are projected by 2035. (+5.3%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Horticultural Nursery Assistant?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Nursery Operations; Certificate II in Arboriculture.
Is a Horticultural Nursery Assistant a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 32,400 to about 34,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Horticultural Nursery Assistant?
Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Nursery Operations; Certificate II in Arboriculture.
Will AI change the work of a Horticultural Nursery Assistant?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04