Certificate III in Production Horticulture

AHC30624

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 job roles in the production horticulture and floriculture industry including field worker, seeding person, operator, irrigation maintainer, machinery maintainer and leading hand.

Individuals with this qualification perform tasks 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.

Work must comply with work health and safety and environmental regulations and legislation that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    This traineeship is available:

    • Production Horticulture Tradesperson
  • 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.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

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 biosecurity measures Core
Comply with industry quality assurance requirements Core
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes Core
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices Elective
Carry out emergency disease or pest control procedures on infected premises Elective
Carry out movement and security procedures Elective
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders Elective
Control weeds Elective
Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting Elective
Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair Elective
Coordinate vineyard operations Elective
Coordinate work site activities Elective
Establish horticultural crops Elective
Fumigate soil Elective
Handle bulk materials in a storage area Elective
Harvest horticultural crops mechanically Elective
Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest Elective
Identify and treat nursery plant disorders Elective
Implement a crop regulation program Elective
Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems Elective
Implement a plant nutrition program Elective
Implement a post-harvest program Elective
Implement a propagation plan Elective
Implement an integrated pest management program Elective
Implement the pest monitoring and evaluation plan Elective
Install and maintain plant displays Elective
Install drainage systems Elective
Install hydroponic systems Elective
Install pressurised irrigation systems Elective
Maintain nursery plants Elective
Maintain pressurised irrigation systems Elective
Measure drainage system performance Elective
Measure irrigation delivery system performance Elective
Monitor and maintain nursery plants Elective
Monitor and operate water treatment processes Elective
Monitor weather conditions Elective
Operate a mechanical harvester Elective
Operate chemical application machinery and equipment Elective
Operate fertigation equipment Elective
Operate machinery and equipment Elective
Operate precision control technology Elective
Operate pressurised irrigation systems Elective
Operate specialised machinery and equipment Elective
Operate spreading and seeding equipment Elective
Operate tractors Elective
Perform machinery maintenance Elective
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases Elective
Prepare growing media Elective
Prepare raw materials and compost feedstock Elective
Prepare specialised plants Elective
Prepare value added compost-based products Elective
Prepare, monitor and maintain biological agents for weeds Elective
Promote sales of plants Elective
Provide information on plants and their culture Elective
Prune shrubs and small trees Elective
Receive and dispatch nursery products Elective
Respond to emergencies Elective
Supervise mushroom substrate preparation Elective
Transport and store chemicals Elective
Troubleshoot drainage systems Elective
Troubleshoot irrigation systems Elective
Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spaces Elective
Work effectively in a biosecurity emergency response Elective
Work effectively in industry Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Production Horticulture sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Flower Grower

    ANZSCO 121212

    Plant, cultivate and harvest flowering and foliage plants.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Forest Manager

    ANZSCO 133511

    Forest Managers manage the production activities of forestry operations.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Gardener (General)

    ANZSCO 362211

    Gardeners (General) plant, cultivate and maintain parks and gardens.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Nurseryperson

    ANZSCO 362411

    Nurserypersons propagate and cultivate trees, shrubs, and ornamental and flowering plants in plant nurseries.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Vegetable Farm Worker

    ANZSCO 841214

    Vegetable Farm Workers perform routine tasks on vegetable farms or market gardens, 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

  • Nursery Hand (Horticulture)

    ANZSCO 841412

    Nursery Hands (Horticulture) assist in propagating, cultivating and harvesting plants in horticultural nurseries.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate I or secondary education

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Production Horticulture

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 9 providers

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.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.