How to become a Horticultural Tradesperson
Horticultural tradespersons maintain plants and planted areas, construct horticultural features and apply treatments to enhance plant growth and control pests.
Personal requirements of a Horticultural Tradesperson
- Enjoy practical and mechanical activities
- Able to undertake manual and heavy work
- Able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
- Able to work for long hours
- Able to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions
Education & Training for a Horticultural Tradesperson
To become a horticultural tradesperson you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Horticultural Tradesperson
Horticultural tradespeople:
- identify and correct soil deficiencies
- identify and treat pests and diseases affecting plants
- prepare fields, garden beds or lawn areas by cultivating soil and adding fertilisers and compost
- use growth regulators and other chemicals
- read landscape plans and construct rockeries, paths or ponds
- plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
- maintain gardens by fertilising and trimming plants and ensuring that they are receiving adequate water
- prune trees and hedges to promote their health and increase the attractiveness of plants
- thin out, hoe, irrigate and fertilise crops
- maintain lawn and grass areas using machinery, fertilisers and chemicals
- service equipment such as tools, lawn mowers and heavy machinery
- operate and install irrigation and drainage systems
- plan and supervise the daily activities of other workers
- develop long-term plans, set budgets and manage the financial aspects of the organisation or business.
Working conditions for a Horticultural Tradesperson
Horticultural tradespeople usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending, lifting and the use of machinery such as tractors, rollers and edging machines. Protective clothing must be used when handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.
Employment Opportunities for a Horticultural Tradesperson
The horticultural sector is one of the most important primary industries in Australia. There are many opportunities in this sector, from landscape gardening and turf management to service areassuch as marketing, finance and international trade.
Avg. weekly wage:
$1,073
Future growth:
Moderate
Employment by state:
ACT 1%
NSW 29.6%
QLD 17.5%
SA 6.2%
VIC 34.7%
WA 7.4%
NT 0.8%
TAS 2.7%
Hours worked:
44
Unemployment:
Average unemployment
Gender split:
Male 60%
Female 40%
Education level:
Highest qualification is secondary school: 14.8%
Highest qualification is a Certificate 3 or 4: 33.2%
Highest qualification is a Diploma or Advanced Diploma: 16.2%
Highest qualification is a Bachelor degree: 13.1%
Highest qualification is a Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 2.1%
Age brackets:
15-19 - 0.1%
20-24 - 6.1%
25-34 - 26.8%
35-44 - 22.6%
45-54 - 19.5%
55-59 - 8.2%
60-64 - 7.1%
65 and Over - 9.5%
*The data above is sourced from the Department of Employment’s Job Outlook website.
Personal requirements of a Horticultural Tradesperson
- Enjoy practical and mechanical activities
- Able to undertake manual and heavy work
- Able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
- Able to work for long hours
- Able to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions
Education & Training for a Horticultural Tradesperson
To become a horticultural tradesperson you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Horticultural Tradesperson
Horticultural tradespeople:
- identify and correct soil deficiencies
- identify and treat pests and diseases affecting plants
- prepare fields, garden beds or lawn areas by cultivating soil and adding fertilisers and compost
- use growth regulators and other chemicals
- read landscape plans and construct rockeries, paths or ponds
- plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
- maintain gardens by fertilising and trimming plants and ensuring that they are receiving adequate water
- prune trees and hedges to promote their health and increase the attractiveness of plants
- thin out, hoe, irrigate and fertilise crops
- maintain lawn and grass areas using machinery, fertilisers and chemicals
- service equipment such as tools, lawn mowers and heavy machinery
- operate and install irrigation and drainage systems
- plan and supervise the daily activities of other workers
- develop long-term plans, set budgets and manage the financial aspects of the organisation or business.
Working conditions for a Horticultural Tradesperson
Horticultural tradespeople usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending, lifting and the use of machinery such as tractors, rollers and edging machines. Protective clothing must be used when handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.
Employment Opportunities for a Horticultural Tradesperson
The horticultural sector is one of the most important primary industries in Australia. There are many opportunities in this sector, from landscape gardening and turf management to service areassuch as marketing, finance and international trade.
Avg. weekly wage:
$1,073
Future growth:
Moderate
Employment by state:
ACT 1%
NSW 29.6%
QLD 17.5%
SA 6.2%
VIC 34.7%
WA 7.4%
NT 0.8%
TAS 2.7%
Hours worked:
44
Unemployment:
Average unemployment
Gender split:
Male 60%
Female 40%
Education level:
Highest qualification is secondary school: 14.8%
Highest qualification is a Certificate 3 or 4: 33.2%
Highest qualification is a Diploma or Advanced Diploma: 16.2%
Highest qualification is a Bachelor degree: 13.1%
Highest qualification is a Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 2.1%
Age brackets:
15-19 - 0.1%
20-24 - 6.1%
25-34 - 26.8%
35-44 - 22.6%
45-54 - 19.5%
55-59 - 8.2%
60-64 - 7.1%
65 and Over - 9.5%
*The data above is sourced from the Department of Employment’s Job Outlook website.
