Use these interactive maps to find the right career for you, and how to go about starting it.

Know you love plants but are not really sure of what career to begin with? Our interactive Jobs in Commercial Horticulture presentation allows you to browse, at your own pace, a variety of industry sectors to explore your future career options. There are future careers available for all types of people, whether you enjoy working in the outdoors with your hands, love science, conservation or working with people. Click on the circles for more detailed information and guidance on where to begin.

Passionate about public and private gardens? There are wonderful, lifelong careers to be had not only managing a garden, but also in the industries that support amenity horticulture. Our interactive guide Jobs in Amenity Horticulture, (also known as 'ornamental horticulture') gives your the opportunity to explore careers that deliver beautiful spaces for communities to enjoy. Clicking through on the circles gives you more information to explore possibilities for your future, and things to consider on your career and study journey. 

Where could studying horticulture take me?

Over on our Instagram, we started sharing a variety of different career paths though highlighting a 'green career of the week'. This was a fun way to explore some of the wonderful career pathways on offer, no matter where you are in your journey. We're still adding to the offerings every week. Here's just some of them below! 

ARBORIST

An arborist is well versed in arboriculture: that is not only the management of trees, but the cultivation, functions and study of trees and horticulture.

In an urban forest environment, arborists are important in the management and longevity of these living assets that keep our cities cool in a warming environment.

Tree preservation and conservation is the focus.

Trees are essential to our future health, and managing those - whether up in the trees working on the shape and physical health of the tree, or on the ground managing trees in the greater landscape - an arboricultural career can be a fruitful one (and take you to new heights!).

BOTANICAL ARTIST

The combinations of interests in the garden, nature, botany and art lends themselves well to developing a career as a botanical artist.

Many botanical artists are gardeners and vice versa - taking their cues from the abundance of colour, movement and shape that the garden provides throughout the seasons.

Some botanical artists are hired to recreate plants with incredible precision and scientific detail; not only for artistic endeavors, but for text and reference books, and even to recreate prehistoric plants for paleontologists.

Botanical artists are also engaged commercially to bring life to landscape drawings, for informative brochures and catalogues and even to create site-specific art to a clients brief.

BOTANIST

A botanist is a plant scientist who specialises in the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and ecology of plants.

The study of botany can take you into an interesting variety of specialisations, including as a plant pathologist, plant physiologist and plant taxonomist.

Botanists may do remote work, studying plants in their natural environment, collecting specimens, collating data, developing reports and publishing results in international journals.

These careers may also assist in the revegetation and rehabilitation of disturbed sites, plant identification on development sites, identifying plants to use in food and medicine, and describing new plants.

ENTOMOLOGIST

An entomologist studies insects and the way in which they interact with the environment around them, including with other plants and animals. 

Entomologists can study and work on a huge variety of research areas, including conservation ecology and biology, horticultural and agricultural sciences, public health and even pharmaceutical industries.

To become an entomologist, a love for the natural world is key, and studies at university will be part of your journey, studying entomology, as well as biological and ecological subjects. 

Of course, one too must be comfortable around insects and all their fun (although sometimes squeamish) habits!

FLORICULTURE

Love flowers and horticulture?

We present: floriculture!

Someone who works in floriculture could not only supply the floral industry (think cut flower production for bouquets & events) but could also work in developing and selling ornamental plants for gardens that have

high floral interest and suitability for Australian climates.

A thorough understanding of horticulture principles is key for success and starting with a certificate III in horticulture will give you solid foundations.

From here there are a variety of horticultural specialisations (lots being online) to take your floral skills and knowledge to the next level.

GARDEN CENTRE RETAIL

If you adore working with people, this may be just the job for you. Be surrounded by plants. Every day. There are great career advancement opportunities from store and area management, through to buying and wholesale roles.

Every day is a new challenge; finding solutions for home gardeners, pest and disease management, soil amendments and creating beauty for customers.

You'll have exposure to a wide range of plants, with the opportunity to learn new species and cultivars all the time, and be at the forefront of new garden releases.

GARDEN DESIGNER

Garden designer works closely with their clients to create an outdoor space that's as individual as their owners.

Every project can be wildly different, and pose new challenges from a variety of perspectives, including climate, soil, water access and availability of plants.

A garden designer will have sound knowledge of plants and how they grow and perform in a landscape, have artistic vision of a space that is enhanced with the seasons and how it all fits into the big picture.

This role will often have the merged skills of landscape designers and architects to deliver truly unique and useable garden spaces, specific to a clients needs.

GARDENER

As a gardener, there's the opportunity to work in some of the most iconic public spaces, special private gardens and historical locations.

A gardeners role is to deliver first-class garden management, that covers a broad range of skills and knowledge. Every day is different and will require different skill sets to complete the work at hand.

Gardeners also work with the seasons, as different times of the year will have different demands. Perfect for someone who likes a challenge!

If you love creating beauty, being in incredible spaces, love working outdoors and are in tune with nature, this could be the job for you.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALIST

This career focuses on transforming spaces that wouldn't normally have greenery to become an oasis of plants. This can include walls, both indoor and outdoor, as well as roofs and other structures.

Green infrastructure not only helps communities in their health and wellbeing, but assists in mitigating urban heat and assists in supporting biodiversity.

This role includes the development and construction of these walls, the plant and growing medium choices, irrigation design as well as the ongoing maintenance to keep them looking their best.

Many will start with studies in horticulture, environmental science & architecture.

GREENKEEPER

The scent of freshly mowed grass is something truly special, and if you're passionate about green, outdoor spaces, this could be a rewarding outdoor career.

Real turf is used by sports - think golf, football, tennis, bowls, AFL - as well as for public use, think parks and gardens.

Greenkeepers manage nutrient and irrigation programs, establish new turf and repair/replant well-loved turf.

Maintenance programs include aerating, mowing, rolling, levelling and top-dressing.

Turf specialists also use a variety of machinery to keep green fields looking their best!

HORTICULTURAL MEDIA

Love plants, their stories and sharing them? Enjoy learning, educating and creating beautiful pieces of work? Then there may be a job in horticultural media for you!

Writing, broadcasting, publishing, journalism and social media management all are rewarding career fields in their own right. By focusing in on horticulture, plant lovers can find themselves in a fulfilling niche that allows you to be immersed in the world of

gardening and all things green.

New fields in horticultural media are emerging, such as podcaster, blogger and green-thumbed social media superstars!

Whether you take traditional entry ways (through TAFE, private educators or university) or receive on-the-job experience, there are opportunities to explore your creative side in conjunction with plants.

HORTICULTURAL THERAPIST

Horticultural therapy is a process in which plants and gardening activities are used to improve the body, mind and spirit for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Horticultural Therapy is the process of working with people to achieve specific goals through the garden as a medium.

Therapeutic Horticulture in practice can be active or passive, but highlights green spaces that inspire health and wellness through the natural world and gardening.

These garden and garden-based activities promote physical, mental and social health, as well as the health of the planet.

INDOOR PLANT STYLIST

An indoor plant stylist greens office floors, desks and shared spaces as well as bringing events and conferences to life with live plants. They add a special touch to open homes, photo shoots and a variety of other special events.

An indoor plant stylist may sometimes also propagate and maintain plants for the indoors. Some may also install and maintains green walls and gardens.

They create serene, lush and vibrant spaces for people to work and play.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGERS

Yields of plants, as well as the health and vigor of plants, can be severely reduced by the presence of pests.

The long over-use of chemicals means many pests now have developed resistance to pesticides.

This innovative role utilises cultural (environmental), biological (the 'good-guy' pests) and where required chemical (selective) controls, to holistically manage pest problems.

'IPM' can not only be applied out in copping fields, but also in greenhouses, gardens, parks and even inside your home!

IRRIGATION SPECIALIST

Ever wondered how botanic gardens can look so pristine? How that garden at the top of a steep hill gets water? Or wondered how golf greens always look so, well, green? This is thanks to an irrigation specialist.

In a dry country, sustainable use of water in green spaces is really important, and this role can help guide garden and horticultural endeavors to utilise water via efficient practices, whilst still getting the outcomes required.

Different parts of the country will require different hydration, depending on soils, plants, time of year, outcomes and weather. A specialist will be able to take these factors into consideration to create an irrigation plan that is as individual as it's owner.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Create and safeguard resilient landscapes, that are designed as incredible places to work, rest and play.

Construct public and private spaces that are vibrant, joyous, beautiful, safe and calm.

Establish urban resilience through biodiversity.

Landscape architecture has become the intersection of sustainability, ecology, environment and design.

Study and work across multiple disciplines, including architecture, art, planning, science and engineering.

SEED SPECIALIST

The germination of a seed can feel like magic has happened, yet this embryonic structure has all the instructions it needs to grow a new life. 

Seed specialists can work in agriculture, horticulture, conservation and plant breeding. They will often have education in plant science, horticultural science or agronomy.

Understanding the plant life-cycle and mycological relationships, reading the environment and weather, and a little understanding of genetics is essential for someone working with seed. 

There is a re-emergence growing of seed-saver and heirloom seed businesses that are re-engaging with food diversity, and new seed collections roles offer new career opportunities.

Garden Tourism

Consider yourself a "smooth operator"? We love to see garden tourism as a part of Tourism WA and AHAWA's newest careers campaign. If you have a passion for nature, culture, and community engagement, this could be an amazing and fulfilling career choice. Check out their Careers Guide here for more (and a load of amazing career spotlights to give you a little inspiration!).