How to become a Florist

Florists prepare floral arrangements such as bouquets, sprays, wreaths and vases of flowers. They also organise the storage, sale and delivery of floral arrangements.

Personal requirements for a Florist

Enjoy artistic and creative activities
A good sense of colour, texture and design
An appreciation of different varieties of flowers
Good communication skills
Sound business skills (if interested in operating a business)
Attention to detail

Education & Training for a Florist

To become a florist you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become a florist through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Duties & Tasks of a Florist

Florists:

Design appropriate floral arrangements based on discussions with clients about their requirements, considering the type of occasion and budget
Select flowers and greenery, taking into account their expected lifespans, and trim flowers to a suitable length, strengthening them with wire if necessary
Arrange flowers and greenery in vases, or secure them to a wire or plastic base, and finish the arrangement with ribbons or other trimmings
Ensure flowers remain in good condition by taking into account the temperature, watering requirements and storage needs
Arrange local delivery of flowers, and relay interstate and overseas orders
Arrange dried, paper, silk or latex flowers and fruits, and other materials
Decorate churches and other venues for weddings and other special occasions
Rotate inventory and manage stock for in-store displays, preorders and daily sales
Take part in management and administration, such as working out costs and pricing of floral arrangements, maintaining financial records and supervising staff.

Tasks

Arranging supply and storage of flowers, greenery, decorations and other items
Advising customers on the selection of flowers and floral arrangements
May decorate hotels, churches, halls and other facilities for special events
Treating flowers to extend their life
Serving customers and accepting payments
Selecting, trimming and arranging flowers and other materials
Planning and designing floral arrangements
Packing, wrapping, and attaching message cards to, and organising delivery of, completed arrangements

Working conditions for a Florist

Florists may need to attend flower markets early in the morning. They have a high level of contact with the public.

Employment Opportunities for a Florist

Florists mainly work for small retail outlets in metropolitan areas and large country towns. Many are self-employed. Some may be employed on a part-time basis.Florists usually begin their careers as florists' assistants, which mainly involves serving customers. They then move on to wiring flowers or making up sprays, and eventually to working unsupervised in all areas. The demand for flowers tends to be seasonal, with peak periods being Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Advancement opportunities for florists are mainly to supervisory positions and self-employment.

Specializations

Florist

Florists prepare floral arrangements such as bouquets, sprays, wreaths and vases of flowers. They also organise the storage, sale and delivery of floral arrangements.

Average age
38
Future Growth
Decline
Gender Share
89% female
Average full-time
45 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
64%
Employment Size
6,500
Employment by state
ACT: 1.4%
NSW: 34.0%
NT: 0.3%
QLD: 18.2%
SA: 7.3%
TAS: 1.9%
VIC: 26.5%
WA: 10.6%
Age brackets
15-19: 4%
20-24: 8.8%
25-34: 23.8%
35-44: 25.1%
45-54: 21.8%
55-59: 7.4%
60-64: 4.7%
65 and Over: 4.4%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11.7%
Bachelor degree: 12%
Below Year 10: 22.1%
Certificate III/IV: 39.5%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.9%
Year 10 and below: 13%
Year 11: 4.8%
Year 12: 17.1%
Years 11 & 10: 0%