Horticultural Tradesperson
(Groundsperson, Horticulturist, Arborist, Tree Surgeon)
Fact Sheet
 |
Retrieving plants from hot-houses to be made available for sale |
Horticultural tradespersons maintain plants and planted areas, construct horticultural features, and apply treatments to improve plant growth and control pests.
Duties and Tasks
Horticultural tradespersons may perform the following tasks:
- identify and correct soil deficiencies
- identify and treat pests and diseases on plants
- prepare fields, garden beds or lawn areas by cultivating soil and adding fertilisers and compost
- use growth regulators and other chemicals
- read landscape plans and construct rockeries, paths or ponds
- plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
- maintain gardens by fertilising, trimming and making sure that plants are receiving adequate water
- prune trees and hedges to promote the health and positive appearance of plants
- thin out, hoe, irrigate and fertilise crops
- maintain lawn and grass areas using machinery, fertilisers and chemicals
- service equipment such as tools, lawn mowers and heavy machinery
- operate and install irrigation and drainage systems
- plan and supervise the daily activities of other workers
- develop long-term plans, set budgets and manage the financial aspects of the organisation or business
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of RURAL STUDIES provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an rural studies subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day outdoors, exposed to the weather. They may report back to an office, station, depot or other central site. Jobs requiring mainly outdoor work are excluded.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs require daily physical exertion, such as bending and twisting, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying or other effort where physical fitness is required. People with heart, back or other conditions who should avoid physical strain may wish to avoid these jobs. Jobs requiring physical effort have been excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs associated with primary production, horticulture, fishing and hunting, forestry and logging, and mining.\par
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS in the natural world, such as conservation, handling animals, raising crops or livestock, or sport. Activities include growing and caring for living things, or an involvement with sport, leisure or the environment.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Work Conditions
Horticultural tradespersons usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending, lifting and handling machinery such as tractors, rollers and edging machines. Protective clothing must be used when handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.
Personal Requirements
- enjoy practical and mechanical activities
- able to undertake manual and heavy work
- able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
- able to work for long hours
- able to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions
Occupation Video - Horticultural Tradesperson