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Horticulture
The horticultural industry is a significant sub-sector of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries and refers to those businesses engaged in gardening, landscaping and in the production of fruit, vegetables, nuts, nursery, extractive crops, cut flowers and turf. It is acknowledged as the fastest growing industry in agriculture with 17,273 enterprises involved. It employs approximately 80,000 people, which represents 20 per cent of total employment in the agricultural industries.
Trends
There is strong government interest in supporting the growth of the horticultural industries due to its potential for contributing to Australian exports. This is due to the diverse climatic conditions in Australia that allow the production of a large diversity of horticultural products and the ability to supply counter-seasonal products to the northern hemisphere. Diverse and changing consumer tastes have contributed to the growth of markets for products such as macadamia nuts, cut flowers and diverse herbs and vegetables such as bok choy and Asian greens. Other contributors to growth are the success of the wine industry and increasing demand for landscaping and gardening services.
Characteristics
The horticulture industry includes a diversity of sectors that are generally identified as viticulture, arboriculture, flowers, fruit, vegetables, nuts, nursery, parks and gardens and landscaping. In common with other industries, the nature of employment has changed over the past decade as larger companies and organisations engage contractors to undertake non-core business functions. This has led to an increase in employment by gardening contractors and a decrease in direct employment by government and business. As an industry, a majority of men (80%) make up the workforce and roughly two thirds of employment is full-time. There has been moderate growth in employment figures with some sectors being negatively affected due to sustained drought conditions in recent years.
Employment prospects
Employment in the horticultural industries is very attractive to many people who have a love of the outdoors, appreciate the natural environment, enjoy physical labour and appreciate the opportunity to be creative. Due to this, there is high demand for employment in the horticultural industries despite relatively low pay and poorer working conditions than might be found in some other industries.
Short to medium term labour hire is often available, particularly seasonal picking and pruning, working in local government Parks & Gardens areas and for private landscaping contractors.
Entry requirements
It is possible to work in most fields of horticulture without formal post-school qualifications in roles as a labourer, picker or assistant. Generally, such work is short term, seasonal and insecure. In order to obtain employment with some security or career path potential, it is necessary to gain qualifications in one of the horticultural trades. At minimum, it is important to have experience and relevant trade skills such as in the use of tools and safety equipment or requiring a driving licence in order to have reasonable opportunities for employment. These requirements vary across the seven main horticultural sectors and the following table describes the major occupational categories and qualifications available.
Jobs according to sector Employment description Training
Arboriculture
Assistant; Worker; Tradesperson; Supervisor; Manager; Tree surgeon
An arboriculture worker cares for and maintains trees in urban environments. The work may include tree climbing, using ropes and harness, or operating from elevated platforms. Machinery used may include chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders. At a ground level, much of the work involves cleaning up and chipping fallen branches and maintaining a safe environment.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Arboriculture).
Floriculture
Assistant; Worker; Tradesperson; Supervisor; Manager.
A floricultural worker produces fresh and dried flowers and foliage for wholesale flower markets, florists, retail outlets, and increasingly for overseas export.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Floriculture).
Gardener
Labourer; Assistant gardener; Gardener; Head Gardener.
Gardeners plant and cares for trees, lawns, shrubs and flower beds in areas around public and private institutions, city squares, parks and gardens, playing fields, golf courses, bowling greens and private homes. Tasks include site assessment, soil analysis, propagation, planting, pest control and management, pruning, irrigation management, construction of garden features, equipment maintenance and repair.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Parks and Gardens).
Greenkeeper (grounds person or turf keeper)
Assistant greenkeeper; Greenkeeper; Turf tradesperson; Head greenkeeper.
Greenkeepers prepare, establish and manage fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport. Greenkeepers may look after golf courses, bowling greens, tennis courts, cricket wickets, ovals, racecourses, sports playing fields, recreational parks and grounds of schools and colleges.
Training: Certificate II-IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Turf).
Landscape gardener
Landscape assistant/labourer; Landscape worker; Landscape tradesperson; Landscape supervisor; Landscape business manager.
A landscape gardener designs and constructs garden landscapes or renovates existing gardens. They may also construct fences, trellises, pergolas, ponds, ferneries, barbeques, play structures and garden furniture.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Landscape).
Nursery worker
Nursery assistant; Nursery person; Nursery manager; Business manager.
A nursery worker grows and sells plants. Some work with a broad range of plants, while others specialise in areas such as native plants, flower seedlings and bulbs, advanced trees, ferns, flowers etc. Nursery workers work in either wholesale or retail settings and they advise customers on planting.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma in Horticulture (Retail nursery or Wholesale nursery).
Viticulture, fruit or vegetables
Picker; Assistant farmhand; Farmhand; Tradesperson; Supervisor; Manager; Business manager; Grower.
Viticulture involves the growing of grapes for wine making or as fruit. Fruit and vegetable growers, plant, maintain, harvest and sell fresh produce for retail or wholesale.
Training: Certificate II – IV and Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Horticulture.
Other related jobs
Beekeeping; Council worker; Florist; Forest worker; Pest or weed controller; Fruit or vegetable picker.
The horticultural industries overlap with other occupational fields such as land management and conservation, forestry, agriculture and recreation management. One important source of seasonal employment is fruit picking and pruning.
What an employer is looking for
With a few exceptions, work in horticulture involves working out of doors, doing physical labour and within the times lines demanded by seasonal conditions, the markets and the growing cycle. In viticulture, for example, the harvest period may require working extremely long days, starting very early in the morning in order to ensure that the fruit is picked at the optimal moment and before it can be damaged by weather conditions. All jobs in horticulture require:
- an enjoyment of physical labour and working out of doors;
- mechanical aptitude and the ability to operate and maintain tools;
- an interest in horticulture and the willingness to learn from experience and training;
- an ability to work long hours in all weather conditions
.
Employers will want an applicant to demonstrate these qualities and attributes through their experience, training and knowledge of the horticultural trades.
Employment can be found in both urban and non-urban areas depending on the sector. There is a greater concentration of demand for gardeners in urban and regional centres, while employment in fruit growing and viticulture is found in those areas where the food is produced.
Employment conditions
While awards for horticultural workers exist in a number of sectors, employment conditions vary depending on the sector. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identifies an average weekly wage of $500 for a full time adult employee before tax.
The Salvation Army Employment Plus placements
The Salvation Army Employment Plus has placed people into many horticultural positions, the majority being general and landscape gardeners and nursery assistants.
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