Your Guide To Becoming A Florist in Australia

March 17th, 2022 Design Careers

So you have an appreciation of flowers and a knack for arranging blooms into beautiful bouquets?

If you find yourself daydreaming of spending your days surrounded by flowers and curating floral arrangements, then a career as a florist may be perfect for you!

Floristry is a fun and rewarding career, and many florists find great satisfaction in bringing smiles to customers’ faces. Keep in mind, being a florist isn’t always sunshine and daisies! There is a lot of work involved and in many cases, you will need a combination of talent and skills to succeed.

Find out what to expect as a florist and what you need to become a florist in Australia below.

What does a florist do?

A florist works with flowers and plants to create arrangements and bouquets as well as sell fresh cut flowers to customers. Florists often work from a shopfront and sell their flowers to the general public. Others may work specifically for functions and events, creating grand floral arrangements for weddings, funerals and corporate events.

The day to day duties of a florist include:

• Selecting and buying flowers from markets or suppliers
• Planning and designing floral arrangements
• Helping customers choose flowers
• Ordering flowers for customers
• Taking flower orders by phone or via website
• Arranging delivery for flowers
• Attending functions and events to arrange flower displays
• Packing, wrapping and storing flowers
• Managing payments and undergoing basic administrative tasks

Skills needed to become a florist

While an appreciation for flowers and nature is key to floristry, this alone won’t guarantee a successful career as a florist. There are a few skills and talents required that will help improve your chances of working as a florist and securing future opportunities in the floristry industry.

1. Creativity

A successful florist understands the role artistry plays in creating floral arrangements. If you want to become a florist, you must have a good understanding of the principles of design, colour, composition, aesthetics and texture. This will prove valuable in not just creating brilliant bouquets, but for presenting a blossoming and welcoming shopfront that entices customers to come in.

2. Excellent customer service

As a florist, you will be constantly dealing with customers. From greeting customers to helping customers choose the perfect bunch and organising arrangements for special occasions, customer service skills are a must in floristry. You also have to be willing to listen and understand your customer’s needs. Great interpersonal skills are highly valued, along with the ability to talk to a range of customers and clients in person, online and over the phone.

3. Flexibility

Being a florist can involve very early mornings and long days. From waking up before dawn to collect new stock from the farmers market to arranging displays and cleaning the storefront and storage boxes, you have to be prepared to be flexible. Some days you may be required to work after hours and even on holidays. You might also find that your day will involve maintaining the shopfront as well as travelling around town making deliveries.

4. Business knowledge

Unless you are working as a florist’s assistant, being a florist means having to start your own business. This will require knowledge of business skills including buying and starting a shop or franchising, marketing and advertising, networking with wholesalers and navigating financial and legal obligations. Therefore, extra training and a sense of personal autonomy are needed.

Qualifications you need to be a florist

To become a florist in Australia, you will need to obtain a VET qualification or relevant certification in floristry. While no prior experience is necessary and some florists get their foot in the door through an apprenticeship or traineeship, having a certificate in floristry will help improve your chances of obtaining work at an existing store as well as give you the skills needed to confidently start your own floral business.

Finding work as a florist

After completing a floristry course, you can choose to either gain employment as a florist or start your own florist business.

To find a job as a florist or florist’s assistant, you can browse job advertisements online or via your local community newspaper. Many florists advertise for workers or volunteers at their shopfront, so it pays to visit your local florists and see if anyone is advertising or willing to provide an apprenticeship.

If you’re wanting to start your own business, you can choose to work from home or buy or rent a shopfront. Advertise via social media and share your creations with friends and family to gain exposure and customers. Through our ICI course, you will be equipped with all you need to know to start your own florist business.

Becoming a florist

A career in floristry is one of variety and endless satisfaction. Whether you love flowers or have an artistic flair and eye for design, becoming a florist can be a wonderful opportunity to work with nature and share your artistry with others.

If you want to become a florist, consider taking our ICI Certificate in Floristry. The course will equip you with everything from floral arrangements to starting a florist business. Contact us today for more information and guidance on how to enrol.

by Gladys Mae

Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.