Role overview
Flower Growers (OSCA 151231) are agricultural managers who specialise in cultivating flowering and foliage plants in Australia. These professionals plan, organise, and coordinate all aspects of production from planting through to marketing, taking into account Australian growing conditions and market demands. They typically manage business operations including budgeting, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance while ensuring sustainable farming practices. The occupation requires a combination of horticultural knowledge and business management skills to successfully operate in Australia's diverse floral production industry, which supplies both domestic markets and export opportunities.
Key tasks in practice
Flower Growers perform diverse responsibilities that blend practical horticulture with business management:
- Developing production and marketing strategies based on seasonal conditions and market analysis
- Selecting and purchasing plant stock, fertilisers, and other supplies appropriate for Australian growing conditions
- Implementing cultivation techniques including irrigation, fertilisation, and pest management programs
- Monitoring plant health and managing biosecurity risks specific to Australian flora
- Overseeing harvesting operations and coordinating packaging and transportation to market
- Managing business finances including budgeting, taxation, and loan management
- Maintaining farming infrastructure such as irrigation systems, equipment, and storage facilities
- Selecting, training, and supervising staff and contractors as required
Skill level explanation
As a Skill Level 1 occupation in the OSCA classification, Flower Grower is considered a managerial role requiring high-level expertise. This classification indicates that the occupation typically requires a bachelor degree or higher qualification in fields such as horticulture, agriculture, or business management. Alternatively, at least five years of relevant experience may substitute for formal qualifications in some cases. Skill Level 1 occupations involve planning, designing, and evaluating processes rather than primarily performing routine tasks, reflecting the managerial nature of this agricultural role in the Australian context.
Industry context
Flower Growers in Australia primarily operate within horticultural production industries classified under ANZSIC codes including Nursery Production (0111), Floriculture Production (0112), and Other Crop Growing (3109). They may also work in agricultural support services (2811) or operate independent farming enterprises. The Australian flower growing industry supplies domestic markets through wholesale florists, supermarkets, and direct retail, while also contributing to export markets particularly in cut flowers and nursery products. Employment settings range from large commercial operations to smaller specialty farms, with concentration in regions with favourable growing conditions across various Australian states and territories.