How To Become A Florist In Australia: A Complete Guide

If you like the aesthetic aspects of arranging flowers, love being around them and are amazed by how a florist arranges flowers, you could be the right fit for a florist job.

This brings us to the question of how to become a florist with no experience and with experience. You may want to know how to become a florist in Melbourne, Australia. This guide will help you understand the route and what it takes to become a florist.

To become a florist in Australia, you must study a floristry course to learn the practical and theoretical aspects. You can look for a diploma in floristry design course to enhance your knowledge.

After completing the course successfully, you can move to an apprenticeship or traineeship. One good thing about completing a course in floristry and doing an apprenticeship or traineeship is that it opens many career opportunities.

Now that we have shared a brief let's dwell on it more and help you understand how to pursue this career and become a florist in Australia. Keep reading!

1. What Does A Florist Do?

A florist is an expert on flowers. They know about every flower and have the expertise to create and design flower arrangements in vases, bouquets, wreaths, and more. Some florists may design a room with flowers based on the occasion, such as a wedding.

Some florists work with pre-formatted layouts, which help them arrange and design their flowers seamlessly. At the same time, others like to add their personal touch and create their own unique flower arrangement pieces, keeping the occasion in mind.

Florists who are creative and can design something unique have better chances of earning more and staying in demand. So, to sum up, a florist's work is to create floral arrangements for various occasions.

But there is another thing that a florist does: take care of the flowers. A florist must be knowledgeable about flowers and should know what kind of flowers will work for a particular occasion. Apart from flowers, florists also work with herbs, foliage, and ornamental grass.

A florist may work in retail if that's what they like to do; else, they may transition to a wholesale capacity, meaning caring for the flowers. As a wholesaler, the florist will not arrange flowers for their clients. Instead, they offer business-to-business services and provide flowers to different retail floral shops that will do the arrangement work.

2. Major Duties and Tasks of A Florist

The primary responsibilities are to arrange flowers and ensure that the client accepts the work. 

Therefore, the professional must have relevant flower-related information. In addition, since some flower arrangements will have to be packed and shipped to another location, the professional should also be knowledgeable about packaging solutions.

Here are some of the responsibilities of a florist:

• A florist must show excellent customer service. The specialist should be willing to listen to the customer's requirements and offer flower arrangement services that will create a lasting impression. Everything must be considered, from selecting flowers to vases and the colour scheme to the customer's budget. 

• The florists will have to take physical, on-phone, or online requests for flower services. The specialist will present custom or predesigned arrangements. Once the customer decides what flower arrangement service they need, the florist will hand over the end product to the customer. 

• The florist will specialise in cutting the flowers so they can display them appropriately. The crux is to prepare flowers that will be eye-pleasing. They should know about the embellishments, herbs, and leaves they need to add to the flower bouquet or the kind of flower arrangement they aim for. 

• Florists must keep tabs on the kind of flowers they have and the latest flower trends and order more flowers based on the quantity. They should manage inventory and order additional flowers whenever there is a shortage. 

• Florists should be willing to enhance their knowledge by joining events and showcases to hone their skills. 

3. Steps To Follow To Become A Florist In Australia

A florist career is different from other careers. So, to become a florist, you will not necessarily require a florist-related certification. However, some firms may want you to do a florist course. As a florist, you can become self-employed and work in small florist shops, supermarkets, big flower shops, and more.

The requirement thus will vary from company to company. But today, employers do ask for a certification related to florist. Therefore, it's better to go for a florist course. But before you go for this course, take a look at this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Focus on Why You Want To Become A Florist

Before you pursue this career, the first thing that you need to think about is why you want to become a florist. What is the reason that has drawn you to this profession? Are you passionate about working as a florist? If yes, why?

Now, focus on the why question. As a florist, you will be dealing with flowers. Every work that you will do will be related to flowers. Does this career make you excited? Think about whether you want to work for someone or start something of your own.

Step 2: Education Is A Must

The next step that you need to take is to educate yourself. The reason why you need to educate yourself is to understand how you will create floral arrangements. You need to know how to care for the flowers and extend their life.

Along with all this, you should know how much you can expect as a florist, pricing, and more. Both management and practical knowledge are prudent. You can go for a certificate II in floristry course.

We recommend going for a floristry TAFE course. If not TAFE, search for floristry courses in Byron Bay that will teach you the essential things a florist has to take care of. Luckily, there are many short floristry courses in Sydney that you can take under consideration.

In the course, you will learn all the necessary skills that you need to have to become a florist. Short courses are the best because they provide in-depth and focused training, and the course certificate will help you get a good-paying job.

Search for a florist course in NSW, Byron Bay, or other locations, and you will come across many courses. Choose one that you can afford and that suits your needs and requirements. You can search for free floristry courses as well.

Workshops and events are good programs you must participate in if you are serious about your career. Whether you want to start a business of your own or do a job under someone, florist courses will help you understand the nitty-gritty of this profession.

Now, you may or may not have working experience as a florist; in this case:

• Start by watching some videos online to understand how a florist work. 

• Then, go for courses and join online flower arranging classes to learn the basics. 

• Make sure to read as many articles related to florists as you can. There are tons of resources available online; leverage that. 

• Go and speak to the florists you know in your area and find out what to expect.

• Attend floral design workshops. 

Step 3: The Apprentice Phase

After gaining knowledge and working on your skills through a florist course, you should do an apprenticeship. This is an excellent way to determine whether you will be suitable for this career. Along with this, an apprenticeship will also provide you with some work experience. 

Here's why you should do an apprenticeship:

• An apprenticeship will help you learn what to do as a florist and the skills you need. 

• You will get paid while learning. 

• You can do an apprenticeship even if you are a high school student. The goal is to figure out how things work in the florist world. 

• You may get government support and assistance to do an apprenticeship. 

• If you go for an apprenticeship, you can do a nationally recognised Certificate III in floristry without paying anything. 

To begin your apprenticeship career, visit Australian Apprenticeships. Here, you will find all the details regarding the apprenticeship.

Step 4: Work on Your Skills

This step is essential for entrepreneurs and those planning to work under an employer. You must prepare yourself to become a full-fledged florist. So, start by practising as much as you can. Try to build your portfolio. Start by creating your designs for different occasions and take pictures of your work. Then add them to your portfolio.

Once you start serving clients, try and understand why your client needs your service. You may have to arrange flowers for weddings, birthdays, funerals, etc. The arrangement and choices of flowers will be different for different occasions. So, keep working on your skills so your customer can trust you.

Even if you become a florist, keep working on your skills. Apart from a florist job, you can also work as a floristry assistant, business owner, and business manager.

4. What Are the Skills Required To Become A Florist in Australia? 

Some are born creative, while some identify their creative side when they realise their true passion. You can always work on your skills. Therefore, if you are sure that florist is the career suitable for you, take a look at the skills below that you must have:

• You should be good at handling flowers, preparing them systematically and creatively, and packing them. 

• You should enjoy your job and be willing to learn new ways to arrange flowers. Rather than following the same approach to arranging flowers, your creativity will help you outshine all. 

• You should have excellent listening and understanding skills. For example, some clients will ask for a particular flower arrangement; you should be willing to offer them what they are looking for. 

• As a florist, you should be willing to work anytime and on any day. Please note that a florist job is not your typical 9 to 5 job; therefore, you need to be flexible. For example, you might have to work early in the morning because of an urgent requirement or work a little late to complete an order. Things like these do happen. Hence, the more flexible you are, the better. 

5. How Much Does A Florist Earn in Australia?

The average florist salary in Australia is between AUD 50K-55K. Although AUD 50K is the minimum a florist earns, the highest is close to AUD 70K. 

Like all other professions, various factors will decide your salary. These include your location, experiences, and certifications if any. 

6. How Hard Is It to Become A Florist in Australia?

There will always be a requirement for florists because there will always be occasions. And no event is complete without flowers. However, you need to have the zeal and enthusiasm to become a florist because that's how you will stay in the competition.

A florist occupation is quite competitive; to be good, you must keep improving your skills. So, complete your course, do an apprenticeship, and gain experience. Becoming a florist is easy. However, to remain a florist, you must continuously show your skills.

7. Conclusion

So, that's all about the florist career. Florists enjoy their work because every day is a new challenge for them. A florist's job is gratifying because their work is considered art.

This guide will help you kickstart your florist career. We wish you luck in your profession!

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