Background Resources – Ausveg Career

Background resources in Horticulture

Not sure if a career in horticulture is right for you? Think again. It’s more than just farm work—horticulture is a fast-moving, innovative industry with exciting opportunities in science, tech, business, sustainability, and more.

Check out the resources below to explore common misconceptions and hear from real people in the industry about why they love what they do.

SEE CAREER PATH

Common misconceptions in Horticulture

You can become a Harvest Manager through hands-on experience or formal study. Many start as farm hands or assistant managers before progressing into this leadership role.

Isn't horticulture just about gardening and farm work?

Not at all! Horticulture encompasses a wide range of exciting careers beyond traditional farming. It includes plant science research, new product development, and roles in advanced technologies like agricultural robotics and data analysis. The industry is diverse and offers something for everyone.

Are horticulture jobs low-paying with little room for career growth?

While some entry-level positions may have modest salaries, many specialised roles in horticulture offer competitive pay. Careers in plant breeding, agronomy, and horticultural technology can be comparable to other careers. Additionally, horticulture offers numerous opportunities for advancement. You can start with entry-level positions and, with experience and further education, progress to managerial roles or specialised areas where salaries can increase significantly. The industry values continuous learning and innovation, providing pathways for growth and development.

What educational paths can lead to a career in horticulture?

Horticulture careers can begin with various educational backgrounds. Vocational training, apprenticeships, and university degrees in related fields like agriculture, botany, or environmental science are common pathways. Many institutions also offer specialised horticulture programs. For more information, see the Training Providers page.

Are horticulture careers limited to rural areas?

Not at all! While there are plenty of opportunities in rural settings, many major growing regions sit on the urban fringes, as they need to be close to markets. Some operations also have city or town-based offices. There are lots of reasons you might be based in the city while working in the industry.

How can we learn more about the different careers in horticulture?

The Growing a Career in Horticulture website is a good start. There are many other resources available, including online platforms, career expos, and industry websites. Schools often collaborate with horticulture organisations to provide information sessions and field trips. You can also follow social media channels of horticultural associations and companies to get a glimpse into the industry or reach out to professionals in your field of interest to ask them some questions about their career – most people in the industry are happy to help and mentor young people.

How can parents support their children in pursuing a career in horticulture?

Parents can support their children by encouraging exploration and learning about the industry. Attend career fairs together, join a local community garden, and encourage participation in school horticulture clubs or gardening projects. Providing access to resources and being open to discussing the various career options can help guide your child toward a fulfilling career in horticulture. Encourage children to take holiday jobs such as harvesting and picking jobs.

Is it possible to transition into horticulture from a different career later in life?

Yes, many people successfully transition into horticulture from other industries. The field offers opportunities for those with backgrounds in business, technology, environmental science, and more. Short courses, certifications, and on-the-job training can help ease the transition and provide the necessary skills. Related degrees such as science, sales, and marketing can transition over quite easily.

Why Pursue a Career in Horticulture?

Hear from people across the industry on why they chose a career in horticulture — and why they haven’t looked back.

FIND OUT MORE

Tirza Winarta

Agriculture Economist, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in the industry?

"Just try it.

I feel like you never know what you like and what you don't like until you try it, so any experience is good experience. Even if you don't like it, that means that you know you don't like it, so you can move on and be in a different industry.

And agriculture is so big. So move to another commodity. I think there's also a lot of transferable skills that could be applied to different commodities as well."

Harriet Watson

PR Consultant, Porter Novelli

What is the most rewarding part of working in agriculture?

"I think the people are the biggest perk. When you meet people in agriculture, they're transparent. This is what we're up to, this is what we’re doing, it works better for us this way. No one's hiding secrets. We're all working together towards the same goal, feeding everyone, which makes it the most rewarding thing about working in agriculture.

In my experience with industry, everyone is extremely giving. Most people want you to learn and they want you to succeed. Which is lovely, because it's so scary sitting there and being like, “Oh my God, I don't know how to do the basics". So, it's so nice to have these mentors in the business, which is definitely wide spread throughout industry. "

Daniel Peliccia

Founder and CEO, Rubens Technologies

What would you say is the most rewarding part of working in horticulture?

"I think it's interacting with people. In this industry, people are authentic, passionate about what they do. You know you don't see that everywhere, so this is definitely a rewarding part of the job."

Lisa Mengel

Supply Chain Manager, Moffatt Fresh Produce

What do you think is the most rewarding part of working in horticulture?

"Whilst it's immensely challenging at times it's also very rewarding to be able to see physical representation of your hard work in the final product. Being able to see the crop grow and develop, to being harvested and then being packed in the shed. Being able to go to the shop and actually see the produce that we've supplied, and knowing all of the steps it took to get to there. To be able to take produce to your family and friends and say, “Look what I got from the farm” I don't think there is any better feeling than knowing that in some way you've contributed to that."