Garden and Nursery Labourers

ANZSCO ID 8414

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
39,300
Future Growth
6.1%
Weekly Earnings
$1,130
Full-Time Share
51%
Female Share
18%
Average age
43

Summary

Garden and Nursery Labourers perform a variety of routine tasks in propagating, cultivating and maintaining plants in gardens and horticultural nurseries.

Tasks

  • loading, unloading and moving garden supplies and equipment

  • preparing garden sites and plots using hand tools and machines

  • assisting with planting and transplanting flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns

  • maintaining gardens by watering, weeding and mowing lawns

  • cleaning gardens and removing rubbish

  • assisting with propagating, planting and potting seeds, bulbs and cuttings

  • tending plants by hand watering and weeding

  • adjusting mist irrigation systems, shade and ventilation

  • harvesting and packaging plants for sale and transport

Characteristics

Job Type
Labourers
Skill Level
Entry level
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Above average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
Physical Demand
  • Medium
  • Heavy
  • Very Heavy

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow moderately
  • is likely to reach 37,600 by 2026.
  • Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

    Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

    Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Projected Change
6.1%
(or 2,200 jobs)
From
35,400
in 2021
To
37,600
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 35,600
2012 30,300
2013 34,300
2014 35,000
2015 35,300
2016 34,400
2017 37,400
2018 32,200
2019 34,100
2020 32,300
2021 35,400
2026 37,600

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 52% of people employed as Garden and Nursery Labourers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 14 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,130 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $988
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $1,200

    Median hourly earnings are $28, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Earnings Garden and Nursery Labourers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,130 1,593
Total Earnings 0 0

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.


Industries

Main industries

1
Administrative and Support Services
33.4%
2
Construction
15.2%
3
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
13.9%
4
Public Administration and Safety
13.0%
5
Other industries
24.8%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

29.8% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

21.2% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

26.3% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

6.5% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

12.7% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.8% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.8% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

0.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Garden and Nursery Labourers All Jobs Average
NSW 29.8 31.6
VIC 21.2 25.6
QLD 26.3 20.0
SA 6.5 7.0
WA 12.7 10.8
TAS 1.8 2.0
NT 0.8 1.0
ACT 0.8 1.9


  • Around 56% of Garden and Nursery Labourers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
43
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
18%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Garden and Nursery Labourers is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.

    Females make up 18% of the workforce. This is 30 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Garden and Nursery Labourers All Jobs Average
15-19 5.6 5.0
20-24 10.8 9.3
25-34 17.1 22.9
35-44 19.3 22.0
45-54 22.7 21.6
55-59 10.6 9.0
60-64 8.1 6.0
65 and Over 5.8 4.2
Median Age 43 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Garden or Nursery Labourer. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in horticulture.

Visit

  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Garden and Nursery Labourers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 1.0 10.1
Bachelor degree 4.3 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 5.9 11.6
Certificate III/IV 28.9 21.1
Year 12 21.7 18.1
Year 11 7.8 4.8
Year 10 and below 30.5 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Garden and Nursery Labourers who are hardworking, have a positive and enthusiastic attitude and are reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 37%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 36%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 36%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 36%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 32%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 32%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 32%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 32%

    Serving others

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • 32%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 30%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 30%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 29%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 29%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 29%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 29%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 27%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 27%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 25%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 23%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 20%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 38%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 34%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 32%

    Food production

    Planting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.

  • 32%

    Biology

    Plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.

  • 31%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 29%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 27%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 22%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 22%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 22%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 21%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 21%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 21%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 19%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 19%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 17%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 17%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 16%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 16%

    Sociology and anthropology

    Group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

  • 7%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 57%

    Static strength

    Lift, push, pull, or carry things.

  • 52%

    Trunk strength

    Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

  • 46%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 46%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 45%

    Dynamic strength

    Exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

  • 43%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 43%

    Stamina

    Exercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.

  • 43%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 43%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.

  • 43%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 43%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 43%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 43%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 43%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 41%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 41%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 39%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 39%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 37%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 37%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 61%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 49%

    Working with the public

    Greeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.

  • 47%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 43%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 43%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 41%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 40%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 40%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 37%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 36%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 35%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 34%

    Influencing people

    Convincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.

  • 34%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 32%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 30%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 30%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 27%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 27%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 26%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 23%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 100%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 29%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 19%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 19%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 14%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 14%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 62%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 43%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 43%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 33%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 33%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 24%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 94%

    Spend time standing

    Spend time standing at work.

  • 85%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 82%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 80%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 80%

    Walking and running

    Spend time walking and running.

  • 72%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 71%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 70%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

  • 69%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 68%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 68%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 64%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 62%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 62%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 61%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 60%

    Outdoors, under cover

    Work outdoors, under cover (e.g., in an open shed).

  • 55%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 54%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 54%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

  • 53%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 45-2092.01 - Nursery Workers.


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