This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for general job roles in rural and regional Australia, and supporting job roles in agriculture including livestock production, cropping or in the case of mixed farming workplaces, both cropping and livestock. Job roles vary across different industry sectors and may include:
- Assistant animal attendant/stockperson
- Assistant farm or station hand/worker/labourer
- Assistant farm fencing contractor
- Farm machinery worker
- Jillaroo/Jackaroo
- Saleyard livestock worker.
Depending on the units selected individuals can be employed not only in agriculture but also other rural and regional sectors.
Individuals with this qualification carry out routine tasks under supervision where the work is predictable and structured with limited judgement requirements.
The qualification is suited to VET programs delivered to secondary school students or learners with no previous connection the agriculture industry or relevant employment history.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
1 year - Qualification only:
6 months – 1 year
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Participate in workplace communications | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Work effectively in industry | Core |
| Apply chemicals under supervision | Elective |
| Apply food safety procedures | Elective |
| Apply pest animal control techniques | Elective |
| Assess and receive raw materials for composting | Elective |
| Assist agricultural crop establishment | Elective |
| Assist agricultural crop harvesting | Elective |
| Assist agricultural crop maintenance | Elective |
| Assist with artificial insemination procedures | Elective |
| Assist with feeding in a production system | Elective |
| Assist with garden soil health and plant nutrition | Elective |
| Assist with low volume irrigation operations | Elective |
| Assist with pressurised irrigation operations | Elective |
| Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing | Elective |
| Assist with surface irrigation operations | Elective |
| Brand livestock | Elective |
| Care for health and welfare of livestock | Elective |
| Carry out alpaca handling and husbandry operations | Elective |
| Carry out basic electric fencing operations | Elective |
| Carry out birthing duties | Elective |
| Carry out canopy maintenance | Elective |
| Carry out post-harvest operations | Elective |
| Carry out regular livestock observation | Elective |
| Carry out wool pressing | Elective |
| Clean out production sheds | Elective |
| Collect and pack eggs for human consumption | Elective |
| Collect and record production data | Elective |
| Collect, store and handle eggs from breeder flocks | Elective |
| Conduct dozer operations | Elective |
| Conduct excavator operations | Elective |
| Conduct front-end loader operations | Elective |
| Conduct grader operations | Elective |
| Conduct scraper operations | Elective |
| Enter and work in confined spaces | Elective |
| Fabricate and repair metal or plastic structures | Elective |
| Follow site biosecurity procedures | Elective |
| Grade and pack eggs for human consumption | Elective |
| Handle horses safely | Elective |
| Handle horses safely for stock work | Elective |
| Handle livestock using basic techniques | Elective |
| Harvest, treat and store seed | Elective |
| Identify and mark livestock | Elective |
| Identify seeds | Elective |
| Inspect and clean machinery, tools and equipment to preserve biosecurity | Elective |
| Install, maintain and repair farm fencing | Elective |
| Load and unload horses | Elective |
| Load and unload livestock | Elective |
| Maintain and use hand tools | Elective |
| Maintain drainage systems | Elective |
| Maintain health and welfare of poultry | Elective |
| Maintain production growing environments | Elective |
| Maintain properties and structures | Elective |
| Milk livestock | Elective |
| Monitor livestock to parturition | Elective |
| Monitor water supplies | Elective |
| Move and handle pigs | Elective |
| Muster and move livestock | Elective |
| Observe and report on weather | Elective |
| Observe workplace quality assurance procedures | Elective |
| Operate and maintain chainsaws | Elective |
| Operate basic machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate cane haulage vehicle | Elective |
| Operate commercial lawnmowers | Elective |
| Operate quad bikes | Elective |
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | Elective |
| Operate tractors | Elective |
| Operate two wheel motorbikes | Elective |
| Operate vehicles | Elective |
| Pen sheep | Elective |
| Perform board duties | Elective |
| Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter | Elective |
| Plant horticultural crops | Elective |
| Prepare a working sample | Elective |
| Prepare and present livestock for competition | Elective |
| Prepare grain storages | Elective |
| Prepare to work safely around horses | Elective |
| Provide feed for livestock | Elective |
| Recognise and respond to fire emergencies on a composting site | Elective |
| Recognise plants | Elective |
| Recognise raw materials, production processes and products on a composting site | Elective |
| Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work | Elective |
| Set up sheds for placement of poultry | Elective |
| Shift materials safely using manual handling methods | Elective |
| Support horticultural crop harvesting | Elective |
| Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders | Elective |
| Treat weeds | Elective |
| Undertake operational maintenance of machinery | Elective |
| Use and maintain basic hand tools and equipment for garden and farm | Elective |
| Use hand and power tools | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Agriculture sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Cotton Grower
ANZSCO 121211
Plant, cultivate and harvest cotton crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Grower
ANZSCO 121214
Plant, cultivate and harvest grain, oilseeds and/or pastures.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Crop Farmer
ANZSCO 121216
Plant, cultivate and harvest a variety of crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Sugar Cane Grower
ANZSCO 121217
Plant, cultivate and harvest sugar cane.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Turf Grower
ANZSCO 121218
Plant, cultivate and harvest turf.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Vegetable Grower
ANZSCO 121221
Plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Other Crop Farmer
ANZSCO 121299
Plant, cultivate and harvest various crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Agricultural Technician
ANZSCO 311111
Agricultural Technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Poultry Process Worker
ANZSCO 831312
Poultry Process Workers stun and kill, dress, trim, cut into portions, bone, fillet, weigh, grade and package poultry.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Fruit and Nut Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841211
Fruit or Nut Farm Workers perform routine tasks on fruit or nut farms, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting, irrigating and pruning crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat disease and pests.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841213
Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Workers perform routine tasks on grain, oilseed protein, or pasture farms, such as cultivating and fertilising soil, and planting and irrigating crops. They may spray chemicals on crops to treat diseases and pests.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Other Crop Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841299
Other Crop Farm Workers includes jobs like Coffee Plantation Worker, Flower Buncher or Picker, Hop Farm Worker, Lavender Farm Worker, Sugar Cane Planter, Tea Plantation Worker, Tea Tree Farm Worker, and Turf Farm Worker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Beef Cattle Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841511
Beef Cattle Farm Workers perform routine tasks on beef cattle farms, such as feeding, mustering and moving cattle, and assisting with animal husbandry.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841512
Dairy Cattle Farm Workers perform routine tasks on dairy farms, such as herding and milking cattle.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Mixed Livestock Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841513
Mixed Livestock Farm Workers perform routine tasks on mixed livestock farms, such as moving, feeding and counting livestock, and assisting with animal husbandry.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Poultry Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841514
Poultry Farm Workers perform routine tasks on poultry farms, such as collecting eggs and placing them in incubators, providing poultry with feed and water, and disinfecting hatcheries to prevent disease.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Sheep Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841515
Sheep Farm Workers perform routine tasks on a sheep farm, such as herding sheep into pens in preparation for branding, shearing, crutching, dipping and yarding for sale.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Stablehand
ANZSCO 841516
Stablehands assist with handling of horses and maintaining and cleaning stables.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Other Livestock Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841599
Other Livestock Farm Workers includes jobs like Deer Farm Worker, Emu Farm Worker, Goat Herder, Ostrich Farm Worker, and Piggery Worker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841611
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers perform routine tasks in crop cultivation and animal production.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Agriculture
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Civil Safety (RTO code 32381)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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INTERNATIONAL HORSE COLLEGE (RTO code 31352)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Jenagar Pty Ltd (RTO code 31963)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Martyr Training Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 31279)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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SDS Training (RTO code 32505)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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4 Up Skilling Pty Ltd (RTO code 32141)
Contact this provider
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All States Training (RTO code 32577)
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE (RTO code 21316)
Contact this provider
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Australian Institute of Agriculture Pty. Ltd. (RTO code 45492)
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN TRAINING COMPANY (RTO code 5673)
Contact this provider
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Australian Training Plus (RTO code 91434)
Contact this provider
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CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF CANBERRA AND GOULBURN EDUCATION LIMITED (RTO code 46330)
Contact this provider
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Faith Lutheran College (RTO code 30698)
Contact this provider
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Gin Gin State High School (RTO code 30284)
Contact this provider
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
Contact this provider
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Loganlea State High School (RTO code 30072)
Contact this provider
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Longerenong College (RTO code 4192)
Contact this provider
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NSW Department of Education (RTO code 90333)
Contact this provider
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Riverside Christian College (RTO code 45550)
Contact this provider
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RTV Training (RTO code 90674)
Contact this provider
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Rural Industries Skill Training Centre Incorporated (RTO code 4198)
Contact this provider
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Rural Training Australia (RTO code 50898)
Contact this provider
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Sarina State High School (RTO code 30433)
Contact this provider
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SkillPath (RTO code 41351)
Contact this provider
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Stanthorpe State High School (RTO code 30484)
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Contact this provider
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Tocal College (RTO code 91166)
Contact this provider
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Top End Training Solutions Pty Ltd (RTO code 46355)
Contact this provider
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TRAINING EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICE INC. (RTO code 1826)
Contact this provider
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UQ SKILLS (RTO code 1511)
Contact this provider
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VEG Education (RTO code 45732)
Contact this provider
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Wide Bay Training (RTO code 30755)
Contact this provider
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WISE Training Services (RTO code 6653)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.