Nursery Hand

A Nursery Hand works on the daily tasks needed to successfully run a plant nursery. Your role might require you to help propagate or cultivate plants or get them ready for sale or transport. You’ll be ensuring the plants are in good condition and may have to adjust conditions to make sure they thrive. A Nursery Hand will have to fertilise, weed and keep plants watered and you’ll be working with manual and automatic irrigation systems. You’ll need a good knowledge of plant types and be able to use a range of tools and equipment.

Nursery Hands have a very physical role and you’ll need to be ready for some heavy lifting. You’ll have to be good at following instructions and be flexible enough to handle a range of different tasks. You’ll spend most of your day outdoors and will need to work in all sorts of weather conditions. A Nursery Hand might also speak with customers so you’ll need good communication skills.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $52,000
Skill level Beginner

How do I become a nursery hand?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
AHC31120

Certificate III in Nursery Operations
On Campus, Traineeship
3 - 4 years
$0 - $19,420
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Nurseryperson
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Nurseryperson
AHC30722

Certificate III in Horticulture
On Campus
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Garden Labourer Landscape Labourer
Nurseryperson Park Manager Kennel Hand Animal Shelter Attendant Head Gardener Wildlife Carer Waste Management Officer Footpath Sweeper Vineyard Manager Winemaker Conservation Manager Landscape Manager Arborist Trainee Climbing Arborist Arborist Greenkeeper Groundsperson Irrigation Assistant Irrigation Field Officer Water Networks Operator Agricultural Technician Geographer Wildlife Management Officer Wildlife Conservator Conservation Researcher Council Maintenance Worker Forestry Manager Plant Scientist Plant Biologist
+ 29 more
AHC40320

Certificate IV in Production Horticulture
On Campus
12 months
$0 - $14,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Nurseryperson Nursery Hand
Vineyard Hand Horticulturalist
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Nurseryperson Nursery Hand Vineyard Hand Horticulturalist + 2 more
AHC31024

Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
On Campus, Online, Traineeship
3 - 12 months
$0 - $6,560
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Landscape Labourer Gardener
Nurseryperson Garden Designer Garden Labourer Landscaper Footpath Sweeper
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Landscape Labourer Gardener Nurseryperson Garden Designer Garden Labourer Landscaper Footpath Sweeper + 5 more
AHC20422

Certificate II in Horticulture
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
4 - 24 months
$0 - $9,395
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Garden Labourer Landscape Labourer
Nurseryperson
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Garden Labourer Landscape Labourer Nurseryperson + 1 more
AHC20122

Certificate II in Agriculture
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
2 - 24 months
$0 - $8,120
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farmhand Station Hand Piggery Attendant
Nursery Hand Poultry Farm Worker Nurseryperson Beekeeper Apiarist Bore Runner Organic Farmer
+ 7 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farmhand Station Hand Piggery Attendant Nursery Hand Poultry Farm Worker Nurseryperson Beekeeper Apiarist Bore Runner Organic Farmer + 7 more
AHC30122

Certificate III in Agriculture
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
6 - 24 months
$0 - $14,050
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farmhand Station Hand Piggery Attendant
Nursery Hand Poultry Farm Worker Nurseryperson Bore Runner Organic Farmer
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farmhand Station Hand Piggery Attendant Nursery Hand Poultry Farm Worker Nurseryperson Bore Runner Organic Farmer + 5 more
AHC31120

Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Nursery Production)
Blended
24 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand
AHC20621

Certificate II in Parks and Gardens
On Campus, Traineeship
6 - 12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Gardener Landscape Labourer Nursery Hand
Garden Designer Garden Labourer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Gardener Landscape Labourer Nursery Hand Garden Designer Garden Labourer + 2 more
AHC10322

Certificate I in Horticulture
Blended
6 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Garden Labourer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Nursery Hand Garden Labourer
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Farmhand

A Farmhand performs varied tasks like feeding livestock, operating machinery, maintaining equipment, and assisting with crop care in all weather.

Avg yearly income $69,992
Skill level Beginner

Organic Farmer

Organic Farmers grow crops and raise livestock without chemicals, managing daily tasks like planting, harvesting, and equipment maintenance.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Beginner

Vineyard Hand

A Vineyard Hand performs daily tasks related to grape cultivation and harvesting, including soil preparation, irrigation, and grape picking.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Common questions

How much does a Nursery Hand earn?

In Australia, a full time Nursery Hand generally earns $1,000 per week ($52,000 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Nursery Hand?

There are 5,400 people working as a Nursery Hand in Australia and this number has dropped slightly over the last five years. Nursery Hand positions can be found in most areas of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Nursery Hand?

A Certificate II or III in Horticulture is a good way to get started in a Nursery Hand role. You could also consider a Certificate II or III in Agriculture.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

Most popular horticulture courses

29th June 2022)

What can you do with a Certificate III in Horticulture?

18th November 2020)

5 jobs for people who like working with children

31st August 2021)

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