Programs & Projects

Advocacy and representation

GIA prioritises advocacy for members on issues of collective importance, focusing on growing demand for the product, reducing costs to business and protecting investments for example, through biosecurity and addressing labour shortages.  Advocacy puts the spotlight on the importance of the greenlife industry and strengthens relationships with the federal government, creating real and ongoing value for industry businesses.  Read more

Australian Plant Production Standard (APPS)

Formerly known as the Nursery Production Farm Management System, the Australian Plant Production Standard (APPS) is the overarching framework for the Australian nursery industry’s Best Management Practice (BMP) programs.  It binds the industry developed on-farm systems for production nurseries, growing media manufacturers and greenlife markets which encourage Best Management Practice, Plant Protection, Biosecurity, Environmental and Natural Resource Management.  Supporting the program are a range of resources including technical information, research reports, an e-learning portal and a network of Extension Officers around the country.  Read more

Biosecurity Alerts

GIA is a signatory to Australia's Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed administered by Plant Health Australia.  Supported under the levy funded biosecurity program, GIA participates in all biosecurity updates affecting the industry through the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests and the National Management Group.  Review all recent biosecurity alerts for the industry.  Read more   

Industry Insurance Scheme

Insurance for our industry has been identified as a national issue.  After consultation with industry and approval by the GIA Board based on the recommendations of the Industry Insurance Working Group, GIA with the support of State NGI Associations is undertaking a Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) feasibility study. This study into the current insurances held by greenlife businesses aims to provide a practical and cost-effective method to manage business insurance with an all of industry approach. Read more

KidsGrow - Schools Garden Program

KidsGrow needs your support!  A lifelong love of gardening is a great gift to give kids. Through gardening, they learn about the environment, develop new physical and social skills and contribute to improving their environments.  Kids get a real kick of making things grow and growing things in a school setting adds the potential for kids to achieve real learning outcomes while creating their own gardens.  This is why GIA has put together KidsGrow, a toolkit of resources to help schools get kids gardening. Read more

Plant health and biosecurity 

Plant health and biosecurity are strategic priorities for GIA.   The Association is a Member of Plant Health Australia and is the signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD).  GIA has secured funding through Hort Innovation for critical industry biosecurity awareness, preparedness and management activities through a country-wide network of Extension Officers providing advice on biosecurity best practice.  Read more

Plant Pals: Retail campaign

Plant Pals is an exclusive member only initiative developed in response the increased demand for greenlife initiated by COVID-19.  As retail members became the face of gardening and garden support for new and emerging gardeners in Australia, GIA established an information hub for the greenlife community.  The hub www.plantpals.com.au, connects members with customers via a store locator and collated garden and gardening support resources.  Retail businesses interested in participating should get in touch with GIA.  Members can read more to download the exclusive resources Read more

Statistics and research

GIA has partnered with Down to Earth Research and ACIL Allen Consulting to deliver valuable statistics and research for the greenlife industry. Data is collected from around 300 production nurseries each year between October and December, and is used to inform a benchmarking tool for production nurseries.  Read more

Sustainable Packaging: PoPPr Program

GIA partnered with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) to establish the PoPPr Program, receiving $546,000 to establish a national recovery program for Polypropylene Plant Packaging, including plant pots, trays, tags and stakes.  This will enable Australians to return their plant packaging for recycling into new plant packaging and close the loop on horticultural Polypropylene.  Read more