How to become a Vegetable Grower

Also called: Vegetable Farm Manager

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming, greenhouse and market garden operations to grow vegetables.

Main tasks

• Plans and coordinates the production and marketing of vegetable crops from seed selection and soil preparation to harvest, taking into account environmental and market factors
• Organises vegetable farming operations and routines, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging vegetables
• Plans and coordinates the sale, purchase and dispatch of vegetables
• Directs and oversees general farming activities to maintain vegetable crop health by managing biosecurity and other risks, and controlling pests and weeds
• Plans and oversees the provisions and maintenance of vegetable farming infrastructure, such as equipment, machinery, sheds, and water supply systems and irrigation systems
• Oversees data collection and analysis, and vegetable farm technology systems
• Manages business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management for a vegetable farm
• May select and train vegetable farm staff and contractors

Ways in

• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50122); Certificate IV in Agribusiness (AHC41024); Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40122); 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
• Production Nursery Grower
• Turf Grower
• Wine Grape Grower

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Vegetable Grower?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agriculture; Certificate IV in Agribusiness.

Is a Vegetable 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 Vegetable Grower?

Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agriculture; Certificate IV in Agribusiness.

Will AI change the work of a Vegetable 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