Nursery Farm Labourers – Grafton Region NSW

Nursery Farm Labourers – Grafton Region, NSW

Location: Grafton Region, NSW

Employment Type: Casual

Positions Available: 20

Assignment Duration: 9 months

Anticipated Commencement: November 2026

Guaranteed Hours: Minimum 30 paid hours per week

Award: Horticulture Award 2020 (MA000028)

Classification: Level 1 / Level 2, in accordance with the applicable award classification and progression requirements.

Hourly Pay Rates

Level 1: $32.18 per hour

Level 2: $33.05 per hour

Rates are adult casual ordinary-hour rates, inclusive of 25% casual loading. Applicable overtime, penalty rates and allowances will be paid in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020.

Superannuation: 12%, paid in accordance with legislative requirements.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking 20 reliable, motivated and physically capable Nursery Farm Labourers to join a commercial plant nursery operation in the Grafton region of NSW.

These casual positions are offered for an anticipated nine-month period commencing November 2026, with a minimum of 30 paid hours per week.

The successful applicants will assist with the day-to-day operations of a commercial nursery, undertaking a range of horticultural and general labouring activities associated with the propagation, planting, growing, maintenance, handling, sorting and preparation of nursery plants for distribution.

Work will be performed across various nursery environments, including outdoor growing areas, shade houses, greenhouses and covered production and packing facilities.

This is a hands-on, physically active role requiring employees to undertake repetitive manual tasks, remain on their feet for extended periods and work in varying weather and temperature conditions.

Working Hours and Roster

Employees will be offered a minimum of 30 paid hours per week, generally rostered Monday to Friday.

The indicative weekly roster is:

Day Working Hours Paid Hours

Monday 7:00 am – 1:30 pm 6

Tuesday 7:00 am – 1:30 pm 6

Wednesday 7:00 am – 1:30 pm 6

Thursday 7:00 am – 1:30 pm 6

Friday 7:00 am – 1:30 pm 6

Total 30 hours

The indicative roster includes a 30-minute unpaid meal break each day.

Actual working hours and start and finish times may vary depending on seasonal conditions, nursery production schedules and operational requirements.

Additional hours and weekend work may be required where reasonably necessary to meet seasonal production and business demands. Applicable overtime and penalty rates will be paid in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Nursery Farm Labourers will undertake a variety of duties associated with commercial nursery production and maintenance, including:

Preparing soil, potting mixes and growing media for nursery production.

Planting, potting and repotting seedlings, cuttings and established nursery plants.

Assisting with plant propagation, transplanting and seedling production.

Watering plants and assisting with irrigation activities.

Weeding and maintaining nursery growing areas and production spaces.

Pruning, trimming and undertaking general plant maintenance.

Moving, positioning and arranging plants, pots, trays and growing containers throughout the nursery.

Sorting, grading and inspecting plants to meet nursery quality standards.

Identifying and removing damaged, diseased or unsuitable plant stock as directed.

Labelling, organising and preparing nursery plants for sale and distribution.

Picking, packing and preparing customer and wholesale orders for dispatch.

Loading, unloading and handling nursery plants, trays, pots, boxes and other materials.

Cleaning and maintaining nursery production, growing and packing areas.

Assisting with general nursery production, maintenance and horticultural activities.

Following production schedules, quality standards and supervisor instructions.

Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment.

Complying with all workplace health and safety policies, procedures and safe work practices.

Employees may be required to perform other reasonable duties consistent with their skills, training, classification and the operational requirements of the nursery.

About You

We are looking for dependable and hardworking individuals who are comfortable working in a physically active nursery environment.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

A strong work ethic and commitment to reliable attendance.

Good physical fitness and the ability to undertake repetitive manual tasks safely.

The ability to stand, walk and remain active for extended periods.

Willingness to work outdoors and in covered nursery environments under varying weather and temperature conditions.

Good attention to detail when handling, planting, maintaining, sorting and packing nursery plants.

The ability to understand and follow instructions, procedures and quality requirements.

A positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.

The ability to work independently when required and contribute effectively as part of a team.

Flexibility to work additional hours and weekends when reasonably required.

A commitment to the full nine-month assignment.

Experience and Employment Requirements

Previous experience in commercial nurseries, horticulture, farming, agriculture, plant propagation, planting, potting, packing or other manual agricultural work will be advantageous.

However, previous nursery or horticultural experience is not essential. Applicants with a positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Workplace induction, task-specific instruction and on-the-job training will be provided.

Applicants must:

Be capable of safely performing the inherent physical requirements of the position.

Be willing to undertake repetitive manual handling and general labouring duties.

Be comfortable working in outdoor and covered nursery production environments.

Be willing to participate in a pre-employment medical assessment, where required.

Be willing to undertake drug and alcohol screening, where required.

Follow all workplace health and safety policies and procedures.

Hold valid Australian work rights for the duration of the assignment.

What We Offer

Nine-month casual employment opportunity commencing November 2026.

20 positions available within a commercial nursery operation.

Minimum 30 paid hours per week.

Generally consistent Monday to Friday working arrangements.

Opportunities for additional hours and weekend work based on operational requirements.

Employment under the Horticulture Award 2020.

Award-based casual hourly rates, including applicable casual loading.

Applicable overtime, penalty rates and allowances.

Superannuation contributions in accordance with legislative requirements.

Weekly pay.

On-the-job training and workplace support.

Practical experience in commercial nursery production and horticulture.

A supportive, team-oriented and safety-focused working environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds.

All applications will be assessed fairly based on each applicant's skills, experience, suitability, availability and ability to safely perform the inherent requirements of the position.

How to Apply

If you are reliable, hardworking and interested in securing a nine-month opportunity in commercial nursery production, we encourage you to apply.

Apply now to be considered for one of the 20 Nursery Farm Labourer positions commencing November 2026 in the Grafton region of NSW.