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How to Become a Nursery Assistant: Australian Careers in Horticulture

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What is a Nursery Assistant?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

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What is a Nursery Assistant?

A Nursery Assistant helps grow and care for plants in commercial plant nurseries across Australia. They do physical, hands-on work in nurseries, greenhouses, and garden centres every day.

Day to day, they water and weed plants, transplant seedlings, and prepare growing sites. They also load and unload supplies, adjust irrigation systems, and keep work areas tidy.

Around 6,300 Nursery Assistants work across Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). About half work part-time, making it a flexible option for people at any career stage.

No formal study is needed to start, but a Certificate II in Nursery Operations (AHC20724) gives a strong base. Many employers offer traineeships, so workers can study while earning a wage.

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Career snapshots For Nursery Assistants

Around 6,300 Nursery Assistants (ANZSCO 841412) work across Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). About 51% work full-time, with an average of 40 hours per week. The remaining 49% work part-time, making this a flexible role for workers at different life stages.

The workforce is 56% female, with a median age of 38 years. Workers are employed mainly in agriculture, wholesale trade, and retail trade. Demand for the role is stable, with no major changes expected in employment numbers in the near term.

Entry-level pay starts at around $50,000 a year under the Fair Work Horticulture Award (Fair Work Ombudsman, 2024-25). Experienced workers and those with added qualifications can earn up to $72,000 or more. The most common career step from this role is to advance to a Nurseryperson position.

What will I do?

A Nursery Assistant works in commercial horticultural nurseries, helping to grow, care for, and prepare plants for sale. Their tasks are physical and practical, covering everything from site setup to plant propagation and irrigation management. They work alongside Nurserypersons and supervisors to keep production on track.

  • Loading, unloading and moving nursery supplies and equipment
  • Preparing nursery sites and growing plots using hand tools and machines
  • Assisting with propagating and transplanting plants
  • Watering and weeding plants by hand and using irrigation systems
  • Tidying work areas and removing green waste and rubbish
  • Tending plants to maintain their health and appearance
  • Adjusting mist irrigation systems, shade cloth, and ventilation to suit growing conditions

What skills do I need?

A Nursery Assistant needs physical fitness and a practical mindset. The work is hands-on and outdoors, so stamina and the ability to work in all weather are key. You also need a good eye for detail to spot signs of plant stress, pest damage, or disease early.

Basic knowledge of plant care and propagation helps, but most skills are learned on the job. Good teamwork, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions matter most at the entry level. As you gain experience, skills in irrigation management and chemical handling become more valuable.

Skills/attributes

  • Physical fitness for active outdoor work
  • Attention to plant health and growth
  • Basic knowledge of plant propagation
  • Safe use of hand tools and machinery
  • Understanding of irrigation systems
  • Pest and disease identification
  • Time management and reliability
  • Teamwork and ability to follow instructions
  • Attention to detail
  • Safe chemical handling and hygiene practices
  • Adaptability to changing weather and conditions
  • Basic numeracy for measuring and mixing

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.