Whether you are looking for a career on the orchard, in the lab or in supply and logistics, there is a myriad of opportunity on offer across the horticulture sector. Explore these opportunities by selecting a theme-focused pathway and follow where it leads. Production, Post harvest, Science, Technology or Business, there is something for everyone!

Start here for a Production career

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Horticulture production is diverse. Opportunities include the growing of fruit and vegetables, soils management and the utilisation of water and nutrients in the growing process, essentially everything involved in growing fruit and vegetables on orchard, in the field and indoors.

with 0 - 2 years sector experience

Production worker

Get involved on all aspects of, orchard, indoor/outdoor crops including harvesting, plant care, and construction.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

Tractor Driver / Machinery Operator

Operate machinery to complete agrichemical spray application, forklift movements, mowing, planting, harvesting, and construction.

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after 3 - 4 years sector experience

Production Specialist

Provides technical expertise in specialist areas such as plant husbandry, grafting & frost protection. 

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Production Supervisor

Lead a team of people for harvesting, plant care, construction, orchard, indoor/outdoor crops, and quality control.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

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after 5 -10 years sector experience

Production Leading Hand

Use your people skills to lead teams of workers in all orchard, indoor or outdoor production operations.

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more than 10 years sector experience with business knowledge

Production Manager/Contractor

With several years of experience, this role manages all operations for an orchard, indoor or outdoor production operation(s).

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Previous step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience including Leading Business

General Manager / CEO / Owner / Director

A strategic leader with strong business acumen, a deep understanding of the industry, and the ability to lead and motivate a team.

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Start here for a Post harvest career

post harvest specialist
Post harvest processes are critical in fresh food and crop production. Correctly applied post harvest processes, including handling and storage protect the freshness and quality, and can increase the value of produce.

with 0 - 2 years sector experience

Post harvest worker

The Post harvest role lets you work on all aspects of the packing line, coolstore, grading, and quality control.

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after 3 - 4 years sector experience

Junior Advisor (liaison / technical)

Work with growers to offer advisory services to ensure they meet packing and post-harvest standards.

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Post harvest Supervisor

The supervisor role leads a team of workers in; the packing line, coolstore, grading, and quality control.

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Post harvest Specialist

A key role in post harvest, you operate machinery for packing lines, coolstores, graders, and monitor quality control.

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after 5 -10 years sector experience

Grower Liaison

Use your knowledge and connections to support growers with production including compliance and quality control standards.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

Post harvest Leading Hand

Lead teams of workers in post-harvest process; the packing line, managing quality control, coolstore and packing.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience with business knowledge

Grower Liaison Manager

Get to lead all aspects of regulatory compliance, supply chain, workforce management, logistics, and packhouse to support growers.

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Post harvest Manager

A Post harvest Manager leads all aspects of regulatory compliance, supply chain, workforce management, logistics, and packhouse.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience including Leading Business

General Manager / CEO / Owner / Director

A strategic leader with strong business acumen, a deep understanding of the industry, and the ability to lead and motivate a team.

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Start here for a Science career

grower liaison
Horticulture science involves tackling issues big and small. If you are interested in ideas to improve sustainability, plant genetics and growing systems, that will impact food production around the globe, then a science pathway could be the one for you!

with 0 - 2 years sector experience

Study for a Degree

For more information

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after 3 - 4 years sector experience

Research Technician

Support lab, field, orchard, and indoor science in areas such as soil, plant, pest and disease, water, breeding.

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Junior Consultant / Agronomist

Support growers to implement more effective production practices. Assist with research, data collection and implementation.

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after 5 -10 years sector experience

Applied Research Scientist

Undertake scientific research with a focus on applying the results of your studies to solving real-world problems.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

Horticulture Consultant / Agronomist

Lead support to growers to implement more effective production practices and with specialist knowledge such as pest management.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience with business knowledge

Research and Development Manager

Lead and manage R&D projects focusing on future developments, existing systems and products to stay ahead of the game. 

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more than 10 years sector experience including Leading Business

General Manager / CEO / Owner / Director

A strategic leader with strong business acumen, a deep understanding of the industry, and the ability to lead and motivate a team.

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Start here for a Technology career

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Creating sustainable and innovative products, sourcing new ways of improving production procedures and developing the newest technologies is what’s on offer when considering a career in the Hort Technology sector

with 0 - 2 years sector experience

Study for a Technology related Degree or Diploma

For more information

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after 3 - 4 years sector experience

Electronics and Machinery Engineer

Develop, install, and fix specialist technology and equipment or work in sales or technical support to make the sector hum.

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Software Developer

Develop, test, implement and update specialist software and technology for the Horticulture industry.

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Cross-pathway step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience with business knowledge

Engineering / Technology Manager

Combine engineering, team management, and technology to make all types of production faster, simpler, and more efficient.

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more than 10 years sector experience including Leading Business

General Manager / CEO / Owner / Director

A strategic leader with strong business acumen, a deep understanding of the industry, and the ability to lead and motivate a team.

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Start here for a Business career

2021 Hort Conf Damien OConnor
A career in horticulture business can see you working on international trade floors, marketing and selling premium innovative new products, dealing with supply and logistics for fresh produce and by-products. Horticulture business professionals also provide a range of services (advisors/accountants/developers) to orchardists.

with 0 - 2 years sector experience

Study for a Business Degree or Diploma

For more information

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Next step(s):

after 3 - 4 years sector experience

Business Analyst

Specialise in areas including accounting, administration, compliance, communications, management, and people capability.

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Next step(s):

after 5 -10 years sector experience

Senior Specialist

Lead teams across diverse business areas including accounting, administration, marketing, compliance, supply chain and people capability.

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Next step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience with business knowledge

Specialist Manager

Lead a team in an area such as supply chain, marketing and sales, compliance, market access, finance, communications and people capability.

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Previous step(s):

more than 10 years sector experience including Leading Business

General Manager / CEO / Owner / Director

A strategic leader with strong business acumen, a deep understanding of the industry, and the ability to lead and motivate a team.

Explore in depth.

Previous step(s):