Launch your career in this blooming industry if you love growing plants and enjoy working with people. Learn to propagate trees and shrubs, help plants thrive, and interact with customers and your team of retail nursery workers.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Identify plant specimens
Apply biosecurity measures
Provide information on plants and their culture
Control pests, diseases and disorders
Contribute to work, health and safety processes
Engage and inform customers in a retail nursery setting
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally recognised qualification at Certificate III level
Experience in implementing plant nutrition and propagation programs
Knowledge to identify plant species and maintain healthy plants
Skills to apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
Strong pathways to continue your studies and enhance your career opportunities
Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
PPE, including closed toe shoes, long pants and sleeved top where required
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
Previous nursery or horticulture industry experience
A passion for plants and plant growing techniques
An interest in biology and botany
An intermediate level of physical fitness, as this is a highly practical course
Sufficient eyesight capability to operate machinery or equipment safely, accurately identify flora, fauna, pests and diseases associated with plants, see landforms and rough topography, read and interpret maps and read and accurately interpret chemical labels
A class C car licence
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
Our graduates go onto roles like: Horticulturist, Production horticulturist, Gardener, Parks and gardens manager and Retail nursery worker
Completion of two units in this course, Transport and Store Chemicals and Prepare and Apply Chemicals for Pests Weeds and Diseases, entitles you to apply for a Chemical Users Licence from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to transport and apply chemicals on public land or as a landscaping employee.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
The Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Retail Nursery) does not have any post-graduate courses.
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Retail Nursery) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 16 Units of competency, including 9 core and 7 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community
There are a total of 1 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Horticulture
Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.