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 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:
- Farm or station hand
- Farm or station worker
- Livestock transport driver.
Individuals with this qualification perform tasks under broad supervision involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a wide variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgement in selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources and applying contingency measures during work.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
-
Financial help
-
Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
-
-
Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
-
VET Student Loans are not available
-
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.
-
-
On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
These traineeships are available:
-
Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
-
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:
2 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
-
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 |
|---|---|
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Access, extract and monitor water for irrigation | Elective |
| Administer treatments to livestock | Elective |
| Apply biosecurity measures | Elective |
| Apply fatigue management strategies | Elective |
| Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes | Elective |
| Apply situational awareness in remote pilot aircraft systems operations | Elective |
| Artificially inseminate livestock | Elective |
| Brand livestock | Elective |
| Calculate mass, area and quantify dimensions | Elective |
| Care for and train working dogs | Elective |
| Care for health and welfare of pigs | Elective |
| Care for livestock in transit | Elective |
| Care for weaner pigs | Elective |
| Carry out basic hoof care procedures | Elective |
| Carry out emergency disease or pest control procedures on infected premises | Elective |
| Carry out feedlot operations | Elective |
| Carry out movement and security procedures | Elective |
| Carry out post-mortem examination of livestock | Elective |
| Carry out post-shearing procedures | Elective |
| Castrate livestock | Elective |
| Collect samples for a rural production or horticulture monitoring program | Elective |
| Collect, store and administer colostrum | Elective |
| Comply with industry animal welfare requirements | Elective |
| Comply with industry quality assurance requirements | Elective |
| Conduct aerial application operations using remote pilot aircraft systems | Elective |
| Conduct backhoe/loader operations | Elective |
| Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations | Elective |
| Conduct dropped ovary technique procedures for spaying cattle | Elective |
| Conduct front-end loader operations | Elective |
| Conduct grader operations | Elective |
| Conduct manual fumigation of vertebrate and invertebrate pests | Elective |
| Conduct site inspections | Elective |
| Conduct telescopic materials handler operations | Elective |
| Conserve forage | Elective |
| Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | Elective |
| Control remote pilot aircraft systems on the ground | Elective |
| Control weeds | Elective |
| Coordinate and monitor livestock transport | Elective |
| Coordinate and monitor production performance | Elective |
| Coordinate artificial insemination and fertility management of livestock | Elective |
| Coordinate community projects | Elective |
| Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting | Elective |
| Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair | Elective |
| Coordinate work site activities | Elective |
| Cut, weld and bend materials | Elective |
| Demonstrate first attack firefighting equipment | Elective |
| Design and produce business documents | Elective |
| Engage in workplace communication | Elective |
| Enter and work in confined spaces | Elective |
| Establish agricultural crops | Elective |
| Establish horticultural crops | Elective |
| Establish pastures and crops for livestock production | Elective |
| Euthanase livestock | Elective |
| Exhibit livestock | Elective |
| Fumigate soil | Elective |
| Ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorant | Elective |
| Handle and store seed subject to quarantine regulations | Elective |
| Handle bulk materials in a storage area | Elective |
| Handle horses safely | Elective |
| Handle horses safely for stock work | Elective |
| Handle, package and store commercial quantities of seed | Elective |
| Harvest horticultural crops mechanically | Elective |
| Identify and draft livestock | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Identify plant specimens | Elective |
| Identify seeds | Elective |
| Implement a crop regulation program | Elective |
| Implement a horse health program | Elective |
| Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Implement a plant nutrition program | Elective |
| Implement a post-harvest program | Elective |
| Implement animal health control programs | Elective |
| Implement feeding plans for intensive livestock production | Elective |
| Implement feeding plans for livestock | Elective |
| Implement pest management strategies | Elective |
| Implement procedures for calving | Elective |
| Implement property improvement, construction and repair | Elective |
| Install and terminate extra low voltage wiring systems | Elective |
| Install drainage systems | Elective |
| Install hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Interpret road maps and navigate pre-determined routes | Elective |
| Keep production records for a primary production business | Elective |
| Licence to drive a heavy rigid vehicle | Elective |
| Licence to drive a light rigid vehicle | Elective |
| Licence to drive a medium rigid vehicle | Elective |
| Licence to operate a forklift truck | Elective |
| Load and unload horses | Elective |
| Load and unload vehicles carrying special loads | Elective |
| Maintain a quarantine approved laboratory | Elective |
| Maintain agricultural crops | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor feed stocks | Elective |
| Maintain and use hand tools | Elective |
| Maintain financial records | Elective |
| Maintain livestock water supplies | Elective |
| Maintain pastures and crops for livestock production | Elective |
| Mate and monitor reproduction of alpacas | Elective |
| Mix and mill standard stockfeed | Elective |
| Monitor animals in intensive production systems | Elective |
| Monitor livestock production growing environments | Elective |
| Monitor pen condition and ration suitability | Elective |
| Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs | Elective |
| Monitor weather conditions | Elective |
| Operate a boom type elevating work platform | Elective |
| Operate a cane harvester | Elective |
| Operate a telehandler | Elective |
| Operate and maintain chainsaws | Elective |
| Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems | Elective |
| Operate broadacre and row crop harvest machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate broadacre sowing machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate chemical application machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate compost processing plant, machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads | Elective |
| Operate in isolated and remote situations | Elective |
| Operate land-forming machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate mobile irrigation machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate multi-rotor remote pilot aircraft systems | Elective |
| Operate precision control technology | Elective |
| Operate pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Operate quad bikes | Elective |
| Operate row crop planting and seeding machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate side by side utility vehicles | Elective |
| Operate specialised machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate tractors | Elective |
| Operate tractors with attachments | Elective |
| Operate two wheel motorbikes | Elective |
| Participate in a HACCP team | Elective |
| Participate in workplace communications | Elective |
| Perform advanced tests on seeds | Elective |
| Perform complex four wheel drive operations | Elective |
| Perform gas metal arc welding | Elective |
| Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter | Elective |
| Perform machinery maintenance | Elective |
| Perform manual metal arc welding | Elective |
| Perform shed duties | Elective |
| Perform tests for quality on seeds | Elective |
| Plan a plant establishment program | Elective |
| Plan and construct an electric fence | Elective |
| Plan and construct conventional fencing | Elective |
| Plan and navigate routes | Elective |
| Plan, prepare and conduct mulesing procedures | Elective |
| Prepare a working sample | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Prepare and present livestock for competition | Elective |
| Prepare animals for parturition | Elective |
| Prepare combs and cutters for machine shearing | Elective |
| Prepare facilities for shearing and crutching | Elective |
| Prepare for and implement natural mating of livestock | Elective |
| Prepare livestock for shearing | Elective |
| Prepare to receive grains and seeds | Elective |
| Prepare to work safely around horses | Elective |
| Prepare wool based on its characteristics for classing | Elective |
| Prepare workplace documents | Elective |
| Press wool for a clip | Elective |
| Prevent injury | Elective |
| Process and maintain workplace information | Elective |
| Process customer complaints | Elective |
| Process planting seed | Elective |
| Process workplace documentation | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site | Elective |
| Provide information on plants and their culture | Elective |
| Provide nutritional requirements for animals | Elective |
| Provide on-job training support | Elective |
| Provide routine care for horses | Elective |
| Read and interpret property maps and plans | Elective |
| Rear newborn and young livestock | Elective |
| Refuel machinery or vehicle | Elective |
| Remove and facilitate reuse of effluent and manure from an intensive production system | Elective |
| Respond to emergencies | Elective |
| Respond to wildfire | Elective |
| Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work | Elective |
| Sample seed before and after processing | Elective |
| Sample soils and interpret results | Elective |
| Service and repair bores and windmills | Elective |
| Slaughter livestock | Elective |
| Test and grade grains and seeds on receival | Elective |
| Train, care for and ride horses for stock work | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Transport farm produce or bulk materials | Elective |
| Transport machinery | Elective |
| Treat planting seed | Elective |
| Troubleshoot irrigation systems | Elective |
| Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities | Elective |
| Undertake preparation of land for agricultural crop production | Elective |
| Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spaces | Elective |
| Use business software applications | Elective |
| Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment | Elective |
| Use hand and power tools | Elective |
| Use portable technology in the workplace | Elective |
| Work effectively in a biosecurity emergency response | Elective |
| Work effectively in industry | Elective |
| Work in a team | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Agriculture sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
-
Aquaculture Farmer
ANZSCO 121111
Aquaculture Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to breed and raise fish and other aquatic stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Cotton Grower
ANZSCO 121211
Plant, cultivate and harvest cotton crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Flower Grower
ANZSCO 121212
Plant, cultivate and harvest flowering and foliage plants.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Fruit and Nut Grower
ANZSCO 121213
Plant, cultivate and harvest plants that bear fruits or nuts.
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 -
Grape Grower
ANZSCO 121215
Plant, cultivate and harvest table or wine grapes.
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 -
Beekeeper
ANZSCO 121311
Beekeepers plan, organise, control, coordinate and operate apiaries to produce honey, queen bee pollen, beeswax and royal jelly, breed queen bees and pollinate crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Beef Cattle Farmer
ANZSCO 121312
Beef Cattle Farmers breed and raise beef cattle for meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Dairy Cattle Farmer
ANZSCO 121313
Dairy Cattle Farmers breed and raise dairy cattle for milk, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Deer Farmer
ANZSCO 121314
Deer Farmers breed and raise deer for meat, velvet, hides and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Goat Farmer
ANZSCO 121315
Goat Farmers breed and raise goats for fibre, milk, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Horse Breeder
ANZSCO 121316
Horse Breeders breed and raise horse for competition, dressage, eventing, showjumping, riding for pleasure, and working.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121317
Mixed Livestock Farmers breed and raise a variety of livestock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Pig Farmer
ANZSCO 121318
Pig Farmers breed and raise pigs for meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Poultry Farmer
ANZSCO 121321
Poultry Farmers breed and raise chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry for eggs, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Sheep Farmer
ANZSCO 121322
Sheep Farmers breed and raise sheep for wool, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Other Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121399
Other Livestock Farmers includes Alpaca Farmer, Crocodile Farmer, Dog Breeder, Emu Farmer, Llama Farmer, and Ostrich Farmer.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121411
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to both grow crops and to breed and raise livestock.
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 -
Truck Driver (General)
ANZSCO 733111
Truck Drivers (General) drive heavy trucks requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport bulky goods.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
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 -
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 -
Forestry Worker
ANZSCO 841311
Forestry Workers assist with cultivating, maintaining and protecting forests.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
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 -
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 III in Agriculture
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
-
TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE (RTO code 21316)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
Civil Safety (RTO code 32381)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
INTERNATIONAL HORSE COLLEGE (RTO code 31352)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
Jenagar Pty Ltd (RTO code 31963)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
Martyr Training Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 31279)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
Rural Training Australia (RTO code 50898)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
UQ SKILLS (RTO code 1511)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
1 Stop Training Centre Pty Ltd (RTO code 46133)
Contact this provider
-
4 Up Skilling Pty Ltd (RTO code 32141)
Contact this provider
-
All States Training (RTO code 32577)
Contact this provider
-
Australian Institute of Agriculture Pty. Ltd. (RTO code 45492)
Contact this provider
-
AUSTRALIAN TRAINING COMPANY (RTO code 5673)
Contact this provider
-
Australian Training Plus (RTO code 91434)
Contact this provider
-
BJ Network Consulting Australia (RTO code 40120)
Contact this provider
-
CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF CANBERRA AND GOULBURN EDUCATION LIMITED (RTO code 46330)
Contact this provider
-
Charters Towers School of Distance Education (RTO code 46314)
Contact this provider
-
Dakabin State High School (RTO code 30064)
Contact this provider
-
Dalby State High School (RTO code 30378)
Contact this provider
-
FORKY STICK TRAINING AND SAFETY CONSULTANTS (RTO code 45802)
Contact this provider
-
Longerenong College (RTO code 4192)
Contact this provider
-
Maleny State High School (RTO code 30395)
Contact this provider
-
Noosa District State High School (RTO code 30417)
Contact this provider
-
NSW Department of Education (RTO code 90333)
Contact this provider
-
Orion Training (RTO code 30915)
Contact this provider
-
Riverside Christian College (RTO code 45550)
Contact this provider
-
RTV Training (RTO code 90674)
Contact this provider
-
Rural Industries Skill Training Centre Incorporated (RTO code 4198)
Contact this provider
-
SAFE RIGHT (RTO code 5722)
Contact this provider
-
SkillPath (RTO code 41351)
Contact this provider
-
SKIVL PTY LTD (RTO code 45804)
Contact this provider
-
SuniTAFE (RTO code 4693)
Contact this provider
-
The Rockhampton Grammar School (RTO code 30501)
Contact this provider
-
The Scots PGC College (RTO code 30502)
Contact this provider
-
Tocal College (RTO code 91166)
Contact this provider
-
Top End Training Solutions Pty Ltd (RTO code 46355)
Contact this provider
-
TRAINING EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICE INC. (RTO code 1826)
Contact this provider
-
Training Professionals Pty Ltd (RTO code 31955)
Contact this provider
-
VEG Education (RTO code 45732)
Contact this provider
-
Wide Bay Training (RTO code 30755)
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.