If you’re the kind of person who likes getting their hands dirty and giving Mother Nature some help, then you should consider a career in horticulture. With a variety of job titles ranging from gardener to greenskeeper and environmental manager, studying Horticulture can set you up for a fantastic, well-paid career in an in-demand industry, working in the great outdoors. 

Spotlight on a growing industry

The employment levels in the horticulture and conservation industry increased between the years 2000 and 2018, with the number of gardeners nearly doubling. Furthermore, employment levels in most of the occupations in the sector are expected to increase between now and 2023.

Roles that are predicted to enjoy stable to very high future growth in this industry include:

• gardeners
• nursery staff
• environmental scientists
• greenkeepers
• agricultural, forestry and horticultural plant operators

Spotlight on salaries: Environmental manager

Environmental managers oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the environmental strategies that strive to promote sustainable development within both private and public sector organisations.

Environmental manager average salary: $85,050
Environmental manager pathway course: Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Spotlight on future skills needs: Be in demand

There are many skills that are in demand from employers on this sector, including generic skills such as learning agility, financial, leadership and technology skills. However, the following specific skills have been identified as being crucial for long-term career success within the horticultural sector: 

• conservation and land management skills
• integrated pest management skills
• landscape construction and design skills: ecology and ecological sustainability
• sports turf skills
• rooftop and vertical gardening skills
• permaculture skills

The horticulture teachers at TAFE NSW are all industry experts, teaching the latest skills and techniques used in the sector. When you choose to study at TAFE NSW, you can be sure that the skills and knowledge you learn will be evergreen, helping you to start your horticulture career the right way.

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Average salary data has been sourced from the Commonwealth Government’s JobOutlook website. National skills shortage data has been sourced from the Commonwealth Department of Jobs and Small Business. The portion of jobs filled for chefs and bakers represents NSW survey findings, while the data for pastrycooks represents Australia-wide survey findings.