Flower Grower

A flower grower manages the cultivation, propagation, and harvest of flowering plants for commercial sale in nurseries, greenhouses, or open-field operations. They oversee planting schedules, monitor plant health, control environmental conditions, and coordinate the production cycle from seedling to marketable product. They are responsible for managing staff, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with biosecurity and chemical regulations.

Plan and schedule flower production cycles to align crop maturity with seasonal market demand. Monitor and adjust greenhouse or growing environment conditions including temperature, humidity, light exposure, and irrigation systems. Apply fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides according to label instructions and record-keeping requirements under state and territory chemical use laws. Inspect plants daily for signs of disease, pest infestation, or nutrient deficiency and implement integrated pest management strategies. Propagate flowers from seed, cuttings, or tissue culture using appropriate propagation media and equipment. Manage watering and irrigation schedules, including automated systems, to optimise plant growth and water efficiency. Oversee the harvesting, grading, and packaging of cut flowers or potted plants to meet quality standards and customer specifications. Maintain accurate records of plant varieties, production inputs, pesticide applications, and yields for biosecurity and traceability purposes.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You're betting on weather and market timing. Crop failures from disease, pests or climate events can wipe out months of work and income with no safety net. Pay is typically modest and capped unless you own the nursery. Early starts, weekend work during peak seasons, and physical labour in hot, humid greenhouses are the daily reality.

Most positions are at physical nurseries and greenhouses, not remote work.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stock Counting and Stocktakecore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Customer Needs Assessment
• Delivery Scheduling
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Process Improvement Identification
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Research and Analysis
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026