How to become a Sports Turf Trades Worker
Also called: Greenkeeper, Groundsperson (Sportsground), Turf Tradesperson
Maintains fine turf sporting facilities and related irrigation systems, and diagnoses, treats and prevents turf pests and diseases to enhance the presentation and playability of sport and recreation facilities.
Main tasks
- Maintains turf surfaces to ensure they are in optimal condition
- Operates and maintains irrigation systems to ensure proper watering of turf surfaces
- Applies treatments to maintain the health and appearance of turf surfaces
- Repairs and renovates turf surfaces as needed, including reseeding and sodding
- Monitors and controls pests and diseases affecting turf surfaces, and implements appropriate treatment measures
- Inspects turf surfaces to identify and address any issues or hazards
- Keeps records of maintenance activities, including fertilisation, pest control and irrigation schedules
- Provides maintenance advice to management
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Diploma of Sports Turf Management (AHC51024); Certificate III in Sports Turf Management (AHC31324); Certificate II in Sports Turf Management (AHC20919)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $76,336 a year
- About 13,200 people work in this job group now, and about 14,100 are projected by 2035. (+6.3%)
- 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.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Sports Turf Trades Worker?
Ways in include: Diploma of Sports Turf Management; Certificate III in Sports Turf Management.
How much does a Sports Turf Trades Worker earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $76,336 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Sports Turf Trades Worker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 13,200 to about 14,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Sports Turf Trades Worker?
Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Diploma of Sports Turf Management; Certificate III in Sports Turf Management.
Will AI change the work of a Sports Turf Trades Worker?
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