Join the team
at Cape Nursery
We are currently recruiting two Nursery Hands to join our production team in Ewingsdale. These are hands-on growing roles at a wholesale nursery supplying landscape contractors, councils, and developers across Australia.
Both roles are based at our Ewingsdale property and work Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–4pm. We supply over 100 species of advanced trees and screening plants to landscape contractors, councils, and developers across Australia.
Nursery Hand
Casual / Part-time — Potential to convert to permanent · Ewingsdale (Byron Bay) NSW 2481
About the role
This is a production nursery hand role within our growing team at Cape Nursery’s 20-acre coastal site in Ewingsdale. You will be responsible for the day-to-day physical production tasks that keep over 100 species of advanced trees and screening plants healthy, properly staged, and ready for dispatch. The work is outdoors, hands-on, and physically active.
Cape Nursery supplies landscape contractors, councils, and developers across Australia. The plants you tend will go into streetscapes, commercial landscaping projects, and prestige residential developments. It is production work with a direct and lasting impact.
Key responsibilities
Day-to-day duties will include potting and repotting stock across multiple container sizes (140mm to 1000L), watering and irrigation checks, plant staging and layout, removal and disposal of substandard stock, maintaining growing area hygiene and biosecurity protocols, and assisting with loading and dispatch preparation. You will also assist with general property maintenance and infrastructure upkeep as required.
Hours and roster
The nursery operates Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–4pm. Initial engagement is casual, with a realistic path to part-time or permanent employment for the right candidate. Hours may increase during peak production periods.
What we’re looking for
You do not need formal horticultural qualifications for this role, though any nursery, farming, or landscape experience is highly regarded. We are looking for someone physically fit, reliable, and genuinely interested in plants and production horticulture. Experience operating small machinery (forklifts, tractors, ride-ons) is an advantage. A current driver’s licence is required.
Cape Nursery operates a documented biosecurity programme that requires consistent adherence to its production protocols. Attention to process and a methodical approach to physical work are important traits in our team.
Remuneration and benefits
Pay rate of $26–$30 per hour depending on experience, plus 25% casual loading, in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020 (MA000028). Superannuation at the current statutory rate. After conversion to permanent: four weeks annual leave, access to personal leave, and long service leave accrual.
The nursery is 7km from Byron Bay and within easy commuting distance of Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow, Lismore, and Ballina. On-site parking. A small, stable team with low turnover and a professional working culture.
How to apply
Send a brief cover letter and CV to accounts@capenursery.com.au with the subject line Nursery Hand Application. Include a description of any relevant plant or outdoor work experience. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — don’t wait for a closing date.
Nursery Hand
Casual / Part-time — Potential to convert to permanent · Ewingsdale (Byron Bay) NSW 2481
About the role
This position is a step up from general nursery production and requires demonstrated experience with irrigation systems and a higher level of plant knowledge. You will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining our computerised drip irrigation network across the full 20-acre growing site, as well as taking a leading role in plant husbandry — identifying early signs of disease, pest pressure, or nutritional deficiency, and responding accordingly.
Cape Nursery operates UV water sterilisation and recycled water systems across the site. Familiarity with drip irrigation scheduling, emitter maintenance, and basic water quality monitoring is a significant advantage in this role.
Key responsibilities
Your primary focus will be on irrigation system inspection, maintenance, and daily monitoring — checking pressure, identifying blocked or damaged emitters, adjusting schedules by species and container size, and logging any anomalies. You will also be responsible for plant health monitoring across the growing areas: assessing foliage condition, identifying and escalating disease or pest observations, and maintaining growing area records in accordance with our biosecurity programme requirements.
In addition to these specialist responsibilities, you will contribute to general nursery production tasks alongside the broader team: potting, staging, loading and dispatch preparation, and biosecurity protocol adherence.
Hours and roster
Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–4pm. Initial casual engagement with a clear pathway to permanent for the right candidate. Some additional hours may be required during high-demand periods or following weather events requiring system inspection.
What we’re looking for
You should have at least two years of experience in wholesale nursery production, commercial horticulture, or a related field. Demonstrated experience with drip irrigation systems — whether in nursery, agricultural, or landscape construction contexts — is highly valued. A Certificate III in Horticulture, Irrigation, or a related discipline is advantageous but not essential if experience is strong.
Plant identification skills and genuine horticultural knowledge are important. You should be able to recognise common pests and diseases in subtropical growing conditions and have confidence in escalating issues appropriately. Familiarity with Myrtaceae species (Lilly Pillies, Brush Box, Tristaniopsis) and subtropical ornamentals is a plus, given the makeup of our range.
A current driver’s licence and forklift licence (or willingness to obtain one) are required. Experience operating a forklift in a production environment is advantageous.
Remuneration and benefits
Pay rate of $28–$34 per hour depending on experience, plus 25% casual loading, in accordance with the Horticulture Award 2020 (MA000028). Superannuation at the current statutory rate. On conversion to permanent: four weeks annual leave, personal leave, and long service leave accrual.
We invest in skill development for team members who show initiative. Opportunities may exist for biosecurity training, irrigation systems training, and forklift licensing support for the right candidate.
How to apply
Send your CV and a short cover letter to accounts@capenursery.com.au with the subject line Nursery Hand — Irrigation Application. Please describe your irrigation experience specifically and include any relevant qualifications or tickets. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Relevant backgrounds
- Certificate III or IV in Horticulture, Nursery Operations, or Production Horticulture
- Practical experience in wholesale or retail nursery production
- Landscape construction or irrigation backgrounds with an interest in production
- Plant science, agronomy, or related tertiary study
- TAFE horticultural qualifications (Ryde, Wollongbar, TAFE NSW Northern Rivers)
Skills we value
- Genuine plant knowledge — species identification, growth habits, cultural requirements
- Experience with drip irrigation systems or irrigation scheduling
- Attention to documentation and process compliance (essential for our biosecurity programme)
- Physical fitness and capacity for outdoor production work in subtropical conditions
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently within established protocols
Types of roles
While we are not actively recruiting, the roles that typically arise at Cape Nursery include:
- Production nursery hand — potting, staging, irrigation maintenance, plant husbandry
- Irrigation and infrastructure — system maintenance, scheduling, monitoring
- Senior horticulturist / growing manager — production planning, quality oversight, biosecurity programme management
- Sales and trade coordination — Evergreen Connect management, trade customer communication, availability coordination
Industry bodies
Cape Nursery is a member of NGINA (Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT). For broader industry career resources, the Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) maintains career and training resources for professionals in the nursery sector.
