How to become a Nurseryperson

Propagates and cultivates trees, shrubs and ornamental and flowering plants in a plant or forestry nursery.

Main tasks

• Prepares soil, fertiliser mixes and containers for planting
• Selects and plants seeds, bulbs and cuttings in beds, containers or trays
• Buds and grafts vegetative material onto rootstock
• Monitors, waters and fertilises plants to ensure their water and nutritional requirements are met
• Applies pesticides and appropriate treatments to control pests, diseases, weeds, and nutritional and environmental plant disorders
• Keeps records of soil mixtures, plantings, treatments, losses and yields
• Advises customers on plant selection and care

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Nursery Operations (AHC40624); Diploma of Nursery Management (AHC50820); Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30722); Certificate III in Nursery Operations (AHC31124)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 4,100 people work in this job group now, and about 4,500 are projected by 2035. (+8.8%)
• 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

• Gardener (General)
• Arborist
• Tree Worker
• Florist
• Irrigation Technician
• Landscape Gardener

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Nurseryperson?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Nursery Operations; Diploma of Nursery Management.

Is a Nurseryperson a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 4,100 to about 4,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Nurseryperson?

Usually not. Only 17% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Nursery Operations; Diploma of Nursery Management.

Will AI change the work of a Nurseryperson?

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
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04