Production Nursery Grower

A Production Nursery Grower manages the cultivation and propagation of plants in a commercial nursery setting, overseeing the production cycle from seed sowing or propagation through to sale-ready plants. They direct staff, manage growing conditions, monitor plant health, and ensure compliance with biosecurity and chemical safety regulations whilst meeting production targets and quality standards.

Plan and schedule plant propagation and production timelines to align with market demand and seasonal requirements. Monitor and adjust growing conditions including temperature, humidity, irrigation, and light across propagation areas and glasshouses. Inspect plants regularly for signs of disease, pest infestation, and nutritional deficiencies using visual assessment and diagnostic tools. Direct nursery staff in sowing seeds, potting seedlings, pruning, hardening off, and packaging plants for dispatch. Apply or supervise application of fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides according to label directions and recordkeeping requirements under Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code. Maintain biosecurity protocols to prevent entry and spread of exotic pests and diseases, including compliance with the Department of Agriculture biosecurity standards. Manage inventory of growing media, pots, seeds, and chemicals, and arrange procurement to maintain adequate stock levels. Train and supervise nursery workers in propagation techniques, safe chemical handling, and plant care standards.

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'll be managing plants and staff in a physically demanding setting where weather, pests, and disease can wipe out months of work overnight. Pay isn't guaranteed to match your degree qualification, and you're locked into seasonal cycles that often mean early mornings and weekend work during peak production. Biosecurity compliance is strict and time-consuming.

Commercial production nurseries cluster near major population centres for easy distribution. Regional areas have nurseries too, but fewer roles. Remote work isn't realistic for this role.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Inventory Trackingcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stock Counting and Stocktakecore
• Supplier Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Workload Self-Managementcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Incident Reporting
• Process Improvement Identification
• Purchase Order Processing
• Team Collaboration
• Verbal Communication
• 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