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 trade level roles in the parks and gardens industry including gardener, greenkeeper and groundsperson.
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.
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.
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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 an apprenticeship.
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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 an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This apprenticeship 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 apprenticeship:
3 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through apprenticeship:
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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 |
|---|---|
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | Core |
| Control weeds | Core |
| Implement a grassed area maintenance program | Core |
| Implement a landscape maintenance program | Core |
| Implement a plant establishment program | Core |
| Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas | Core |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Core |
| Operate pressurised irrigation systems | Core |
| Perform specialist amenity pruning | Core |
| Provide information on plants and their culture | Core |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Conduct operational inspection of park facilities | Elective |
| Confine small emergencies in a facility | Elective |
| Construct turf playing surfaces | Elective |
| Coordinate work site activities | Elective |
| Deliver and monitor a service to customers | Elective |
| Establish turf | Elective |
| Fell trees manually (intermediate) | Elective |
| Identify plant specimens | Elective |
| Implement a maintenance program for an aquatic environment | Elective |
| Implement a paving project | Elective |
| Implement a plant nutrition program | Elective |
| Implement a tree maintenance program | Elective |
| Implement a tree protection program | Elective |
| Implement biological reintroduction works | Elective |
| Inspect trees for access and work | Elective |
| Install drainage systems | Elective |
| Install pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Install tree support systems | Elective |
| Maintain chainsaws | Elective |
| Maintain native ecosystem areas | Elective |
| Maintain pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Measure irrigation delivery system performance | Elective |
| Monitor turf health | Elective |
| Plan and maintain plant displays | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Prepare growing media | Elective |
| Process customer complaints | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Renovate sports turf | Elective |
| Report on health and condition of trees | Elective |
| Support and mentor individuals and groups | Elective |
| Transplant shrubs and small trees | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Trim and cut felled trees | Elective |
| Troubleshoot irrigation systems | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Parks and Gardens sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Gardener (General)
ANZSCO 362211
Gardeners (General) plant, cultivate and maintain parks and gardens.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Landscape Gardener
ANZSCO 362213
Landscape Gardeners plan and construct garden landscapes.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Greenkeeper
ANZSCO 362311
Greenkeepers establish and maintain fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sporting events.
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
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
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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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Australian Consolidated Training (RTO code 31731)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CONSTRUCTION SKILLS TRAINING CENTRE (RTO code 0699)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Foundation Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 31972)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Landscape Skills (RTO code 41456)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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LT TRAINING ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (RTO code 45726)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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ARO COLLEGE (RTO code 40056)
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE (RTO code 21316)
Contact this provider
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Civil Safety (RTO code 32381)
Contact this provider
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Construction Training College Pty Ltd (RTO code 32512)
Contact this provider
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FUSION TRAINING SOLUTIONS (RTO code 91812)
Contact this provider
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IPS INSTITUTE (RTO code 32186)
Contact this provider
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LEARNING SPHERE (RTO code 91718)
Contact this provider
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noble training group (RTO code 41488)
Contact this provider
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SuniTAFE (RTO code 4693)
Contact this provider
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TME Trade Training (RTO code 3927)
Contact this provider
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Walan-Miya (RTO code 21359)
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.