How are levy investment decisions made?
You lead the way
Levy funds are used to solve industry-wide problems, improve how we do things and build a stronger future for growers. The direction is led by you and supported by us and your state association.
Maybe you’ve spotted something that’s always been a bit clunky. Maybe there's a pest on the rise, an opportunity we’re missing or a process that’s costing more than it should. Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking: “If only there was a better way..."
That’s where good ideas start – and why we want to hear from you.
How it works
Levy funds are managed by Hort Innovation, but you set the direction – with support from GIA and your state.
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| You (the grower) | Raise issues, share ideas, highlight opportunities |
| GIA + state associations | Help shape and support those ideas, check alignment with levy rules and industry priorities |
| Hort Innovation | Reviews proposals, approves funding and manages delivery of the project |
Background
Introduced in October 1989, the nursery levy (sometimes called the pot levy) generates funds to invest in research and development (R&D), and marketing for the nursery industry. These investments advance the Australian industry and ensure its capability, profitability and longevity. The nursery sector is one of 37 horticultural industries including fruit, vegetable and nut growers that pay a voluntary levy like this.
Who’s who in the levy process
➡️ Click on the + signs below for more detail about who's who in the levy process.
Greenlife growers are at the centre of the levy funding process.
Industry:
- funds the R&D and marketing levies
- can be involved in the investment decision making process
- receive information about the new and ongoing levy-funded projects.
The Australian Government collects the levy, provides matched funding for all Hort Innovation R&D activities, then entrusts it to Hort Innovation.
Hort Innovation is the research and development corporation that works with each levy-paying sector to determine how levy funds should be invested. It governs the nursery levy program.
In collaboration with Greenlife Industry Australia and the state associations, Hort Innovation helps the industry by investing the nursery products levy in targeted marketing and R&D programs.
Priorities for this investment follow the objectives of the Nursery Industry Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
Along with Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA), Hort Innovation communicates decisions about which investment proposals are supported and how projects that receive funding are progressing.
GIA, the nursery sector’s national peak body, manages the investment process. We make sure levy payers are directly involved in the investment decision making process. For example, we manage independently chaired committee meetings and, like Hort Innovation, we communicate levy-funding progress and outcomes widely and transparently.
State nursery associations are also involved in generating investment ideas and communicating the progress and outcomes of projects that receive investment funding.
The GIA Ideas Committee collects levy payers’ investment ideas. The committee assesses and prioritises all project proposals, according to what industry tells us it wants and needs. This helps the Investment Advice Committees work out the best ways to invest levy funds.
Two expert panels, drawn from the nursery sector (The Marketing Investment Committee and the R&D Investment Committee) consider investment proposals in R&D and marketing. They recommend the projects that should receive funding.
You don’t need to be a board member or expert – just a grower with a perspective. If you’ve got something to say, the levy process gives you a genuine chance to shape where the money goes.
Got something on your mind?
You don’t need a perfect proposal – or a fully formed solution. We’re not expecting you to write a report (although you can!). Just tell us what’s not working, what could be better or what might make a real difference on the ground.
Try asking yourself:
- What slows us down?
- What could be done more efficiently?
- What’s costing more than it should?
- What knowledge or tools do we need more of?
- What risks are we facing?
- If only we had a way to…I wonder what would happen if…
Want to be more involved?
If you're a grower, you can also join GIA’s Investment Committees for R&D and marketing. It’s a hands-on way to help shape what gets funded and why.
➡️ Learn more or apply at: greenlifeindustry.org.au/communications-centre/committee-applications
How to submit an idea
➡️ You can:
- talk to GIA
- chat to your state nursery association
- speak with a committee member
- use the online form.
The nursery levy is more than just a line on an invoice – it’s a powerful investment in the future of Australia’s greenlife industry. Collected from growers and matched by the Australian Government for R&D, the levy funds target projects that strengthen the sector’s capability, profitability and sustainability.
More information
➡️ Learn more about the ideas committee
➡️ Watch our video for a two-minute explanation of the levy
➡️ Watch our two-minute video to find out how to secure nursery levy funding
➡️ Find more details about levy-funded investments
Stay up to date about the levy
The Nursery Industry Communications Program makes it easier for you to hear about new research and apply it to your business.
The communications program delivers case studies, media releases, research and development updates, nursery papers and a fortnightly newsletter.
➡️ To stay up to date:
- visit the news page
- subscribe to the newsletter
- follow GIA on Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
