Gaining knowledge and training in preparation for a specific occupation in industry or trade. Vocational Education and Training (VET) is provided through a national training framework (AQF/AQTF/ITP) which defines the assessment standards and is delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTO) including public, private and TAFE providers. Central to the system is "national recognition" whereby the assessments and awards must be recognised by all RTO and training authorities nationally. This allows national portability of qualifications and units of competency. Industry Skills Councils are responsible for developing and reviewing the vocational qualifications.
The following courses are available in various study modes: on campus/external/distance/flexible delivery. The courses are delivered by many RTO and TAFE providers nationally. Contact the provider directly for further information about specific courses.
Cert II Conservation and Land Management
Core: Observe environmental work practices; Provide basic first aid; Work effectively in the industry; Participate in workplace communications. Electives: Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens; Apply animal trapping techniques; Follow OHS procedures; Conduct erosion and sediment control activities; Undertake operational maintenance of machinery; Treat weeds; Maintain cultural places; Operate in isolated and remote situations; plus more.
Cert III Conservation and Land Management
Core: Follow OH&S procedures; Observe environmental work practices; Work effectively in the industry; Participate in workplace communications; Respond to emergencies. Electives: Provide information on plants and their culture; Respond to wildlife emergencies; Conduct operational inspection of park facilities; Operate specialised machinery and equipment; Control weeds; Assist in the implementation of legislation; Collect and preserve biological samples; Provide appropriate information on cultural knowledge; plus more
Cert IV Conservation and Land Management
Plan the implementation of revegetation works; Recommend plants and cultural practices; Define the pest problem in a local area; Monitor biodiversity; Manage seed collection; Set out conservation earthworks; Prepare safe operating procedures for calibration of equipment; Develop a pest management action plan within a local area; Implement land and sea management practices; Develop approaches to include cultural and human diversity; Analyse and present research information.
Diploma Conservation and Land Management
This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge required to manage natural resources. This is achieved through project-based activities in the field and covers a range of areas including: natural area management; breaches of legislation; biological surveying; geographic information services/systems; pest; animal and plant control; revegetation planning; native plant classification; developing management plans and community consultation.
Cert II Horticulture
This qualification is part of the Amenity Horticulture Training Package. It provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to work under supervision as a skilled operator or assistant to a tradesperson in the horticulture industry. Students complete a range of general horticulture modules and may choose electives from a range of industry specific modules.Core: Follow OHS procedures; Observe environmental work practices; Work effectively in the industry; Participate in workplace communications. Electives: Fell small trees; Plant trees and shrubs; Recognise plants; Undertake propagation activities; Conduct visual inspection of park facilities; Install, maintain and repair fencing; Establish horticultural crops; Prepare a gravesite; Lay paving; Apply retail office procedures; plus more.
Cert III Horticulture
Core: Carry out workplace OHS procedures. Electives: Lay segmental/unit paving; Erect timber structures and feature; Control weeds; Implement re-vegetation works; Co-ordinate a crop regulation program; Harvest horticultural crops mechanically; Install irrigation systems; Establish turf; Implement a tree pruning program; Maintain nursery plants; Advise on products and services; plus more.
Cert II Rural Operations
This qualification forms part of the Rural Production Training Package. It provides training in a wide range of areas to help students develop a range of skills linking agriculture, horticulture and conservation land management with areas such as tourism, hospitality, metals and engineering and transport and logistics.Core: Follow OHS procedures; Observe environmental work practices; Work effectively in the industry; Participate in workplace communications. Plus electives. (WEED ELECTIVES)
Cert III Rural Operations
This qualification forms part of the Rural Production Training Package. It provides training in a wide range of areas to help students develop a range of skills linking agriculture, horticulture and conservation land management with areas such as tourism, hospitality, metals and engineering, transport and distribution. Depending on the units of competence they choose as part of this course, students will be able to seek employment not only in rural industries but also other industry sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, transport, construction, information technology, and metals.Core: Carry out workplace OHS procedures. Electives: 8 units selected from the Conservation and Land Management, Rural Production or Amenity Horticulture Training Packages; plus 7 units chosen from any training package. (WEED ELECTIVES)
Cert II Agriculture
Core: Follow OHS procedures; Observe environmental work practices; Work effectively in the industry; Participate in workplace communication. Electives: Establish horticultural crops; Brood poultry; Incubate eggs; Crutch sheep; Carry out milking shed routines; Identify and mark livestock; Pen up sheep; Assist with pressing wool; Provide daily care for horses; Shear goats; Shear sheep to improver level; Weld and fabricate stainless steel; Operate ride-on vehicles; Lay irrigation and/or drainage pipes; Recognise plants; Undertake propagation activities; Treat weeds; Operate retail equipment; plus more.
Diploma of Sustainability
This course allows students to learn how to identify the environmental impacts of land use activities. Students obtain the skills and knowledge required in managing natural resources. The emphasis is on learning through field work and theory across a range of areas including, catchment and land management, biodiversity, biological surveying, fauna management, erosion control, pest animal and plant control and revegetation.
Diploma Production Horticulture
This qualification is part of the Rural Production Training Package. It is designed to lead to a career as a manager of a production horticultural enterprise. The course has a strong commercial and business emphasis.Manage environmental performance; Develop production plans for crops; Prepare and monitor budget and financial reports; Monitor and manage soils/growing media; Establish and maintain the enterprise OHS program; Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops; Manage trial and/or research material; Design irrigation system maintenance and monitoring programs; Develop a plant nutrition program; Develop a crop regulation program.
Diploma of Agronomy
This course provides individuals with the technical and applied skills and knowledge required to enable them to fulfil the functions of an agronomist. This could be in the area of sales, advisory services, research or farming, and will provide the required knowledge for those wishing to articulate into higher level agronomy qualifications. It is designed to provide strong practical and applied complementary knowledge and skills to those who have completed a science-based agriculture degree and wish to work in the field of agronomy. Core: Manage integrated crop and pasture production; Manage soils to enhance sustainability; Design and manage a crop and pasture nutrition program; Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops; Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports. Electives: Select and implement a Geographic Information System (GIS) for sustainable agricultural systems; Prepare reports; Manage trial and/or research material; Develop a whole farm plan; Review and develop a business plan; plus more.