What is the nursery levy?
Every commercial grower who buys pots or growing media pays the nursery levy – a small charge that funds big, collective benefits for the industry. It supports research, development and marketing projects that help growers stay competitive, resilient and future-ready.
Benefits
The nursery levy funds:
- research and development: projects that improve plant quality, sustainability and nursery efficiency
- marketing and promotion: campaigns to increase consumer demand for nursery plants.
- biosecurity programs: initiatives to protect against plant pests and diseases.
- extension services: support from local, levy-funded GIA extension officers.
These investments help your business stay competitive, innovative and resilient.
How it works
Who pays it?
Nurseries that place plants into containers with potting media for growing in or sale.
How much is it?
5% of the wholesale value of the containers used for growing plants.
in 2022–23 the government collected $2.93 million in nursery levies for investment.
Who collects it?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) collects the levy and allocates it to the appropriate bodies.
Where does it go?
- Hort Innovation: Manages investments in R&D (2.75%) and marketing (2%).
- Plant Health Australia: Oversees biosecurity initiatives (0.25%).
➡️ Check out the video on this page for a fast explainer or jump to GIA's role.
The levy is one of the industry’s greatest strengths. By pooling resources, we achieve things no single business could fund alone.
GIA's role
Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) is the prescribed industry body for the nursery levy. This means GIA:
- governs the process – it is responsible for the establishment, variation and revocation of the levy
- oversees investment – GIA works with Hort Innovation to ensure levy funds are invested in projects that meet industry needs
- is accountable – making sure Hort Innovation and others accountable for using the funds effectively.
The levy only exists because GIA exists. Without GIA, there’s no levy – and no coordinated investment in the future of the greenlife sector.
Why it matters
The levy supports:
- innovation – funding for new technologies and practices
- market growth – initiatives to increase demand for nursery products
- biosecurity – programs to protect against pests and diseases
- support services – access to extension officers and training resources.
These benefits contribute to a stronger, more sustainable nursery industry.
The levy doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it’s only possible because there’s an industry body to collect it, manage it and put it to work. Without GIA, there’s no levy. And without the levy, there’s no coordinated investment in our sector’s future.
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.
