How to become a Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist

Supervises or performs specialist roles in horticultural farming operations, including the planting, cultivation, harvest and packing of horticultural crops.

Main tasks

• Oversees the planting, cultivation and harvest of horticultural crops, and the packing and storage of horticultural produce
• Supervises horticultural farming routines such pruning, trimming, picking and tree training
• Oversees and undertakes the maintenance, repair and operation of horticultural farming machinery
• Monitors horticultural crops for signs of pests or disease, and to identify watering or nutrition problems
• Prepares and applies chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
• Oversees the maintenance and use of horticultural farm equipment and infrastructure, including irrigation and fertigation systems
• Organises and trains horticultural farm workers, and supervises work routines and day-to-day horticultural production activities

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Horticulture (AHC40422); Certificate IV in Protected Horticulture (AHC40224); Diploma of Agribusiness Management (AHC51422); Diploma of Horticulture Management (AHC50422); Diploma of Production Horticulture (AHC50324); Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30722); Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production (AHC33924); Certificate III in Production Horticulture (AHC30624)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 33,200 people work in this job group now, and about 34,700 are projected by 2035. (+4.6%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Aquaculture Supervisor
• Fishing Leading Hand
• Forestry Operations Supervisor
• Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
• Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker
• Vineyard Supervisor

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Horticulture; Certificate IV in Protected Horticulture.

Is a Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 33,200 to about 34,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist?

Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Horticulture; Certificate IV in Protected Horticulture.

Will AI change the work of a Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist?

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