How to become a Production Nursery Grower

Plans, organises, controls and coordinates the propagation and growing of horticultural plant stock for wholesale. May also grow plants and seedlings for retail customers.

Main tasks

• Plans and coordinates the production and marketing of horticultural plant stock for wholesale
• Selects seeds, seedlings, bulbs, plant stock, fertilisers and other supplies required for horticultural nursery production
• Coordinates and develops strategies for cultivating, fertilising and watering to maintain optimal production, plant health and growing conditions in nurseries
• Organises nursery operations and routines, such as propagating, replanting, pruning, staking, grading and packaging of horticultural plant stock
• Plans and coordinates the sale, purchase and dispatch of horticultural plant stock
• Directs and oversees general nursery activities to maintain plant health by managing biosecurity and other risks, and controlling pests and weeds
• Plans and oversees the provision and maintenance of nursery equipment and infrastructure
• Maintains and evaluates records of nursery activities, monitors market activity, and plans production accordingly
• Manages business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
• May select, train and supervise production nursery staff and contractors

Ways in

• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Nursery Operations (AHC40624); Diploma of Nursery Management (AHC50820); Certificate IV in Agribusiness (AHC41024); Certificate IV in Horticulture (AHC40422); Certificate IV in Production Horticulture (AHC40324); Diploma of Production Horticulture (AHC50324)

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

• Flower Grower
• Fruit Grower
• Nut Grower
• Turf Grower
• Vegetable Grower
• Wine Grape Grower

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Production Nursery Grower?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Certificate IV in Nursery Operations; Diploma of Nursery Management.

Is a Production Nursery Grower 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 Production Nursery Grower?

Usually not. Only 22% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Certificate IV in Nursery Operations; Diploma of Nursery Management.

Will AI change the work of a Production Nursery Grower?

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