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 carried out under broad supervision in the nursery production and retail nursery industry. It is assumed that participants undertaking this qualification as a direct entry qualification would have nursery or horticulture industry experience prior to undertaking this qualification.
Individuals with this qualification perform tasks autonomously involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a wide variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgement in planning tasks, 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 |
| Implement a plant nutrition program | Core |
| Maintain nursery plants | Core |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Core |
| Prepare growing media | Core |
| Provide information on plants and their culture | Core |
| Transport and store chemicals | Core |
| Troubleshoot irrigation systems | Core |
| Advise on products and services | Elective |
| Apply biosecurity measures | Elective |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing | Elective |
| Carry out emergency disease or pest control procedures on infected premises | Elective |
| Carry out movement and security procedures | Elective |
| Control stock | Elective |
| Control weeds | Elective |
| Coordinate visual merchandising activities | Elective |
| Coordinate work site activities | Elective |
| Deliver and monitor a service to customers | Elective |
| Engage the customer | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Identify plant specimens | Elective |
| Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Implement a propagation plan | Elective |
| Implement an integrated pest management program | Elective |
| Install and maintain plant displays | Elective |
| Install hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Install pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Licence to operate a forklift truck | Elective |
| Maintain pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Maintain store security | Elective |
| Measure irrigation delivery system performance | Elective |
| Monitor and operate water treatment processes | Elective |
| Operate fertigation equipment | Elective |
| Operate irrigation controller and sensor technology | Elective |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate pressurised irrigation systems | Elective |
| Operate quad bikes | Elective |
| Operate specialised machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate tractors | Elective |
| Operate within a budget framework | Elective |
| Plan a growing-on program | Elective |
| Prepare specialised plants | Elective |
| Process customer complaints | Elective |
| Produce visual merchandise displays | Elective |
| Promote products and services | Elective |
| Promote sales of plants | Elective |
| Provide information on hardware products | Elective |
| Receive and dispatch nursery products | Elective |
| Recognise plants | Elective |
| Respond to emergencies | Elective |
| Sell products and services | Elective |
| Work effectively in a biosecurity emergency response | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Nursery Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Nurseryperson
ANZSCO 362411
Nurserypersons propagate and cultivate trees, shrubs, and ornamental and flowering plants in plant nurseries.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
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 Nursery Operations
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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Australian Consolidated Training (RTO code 31731)
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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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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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF HIGHER STUDIES (RTO code 90924)
Contact this provider
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CHISHOLM INSTITUTE OF TAFE (RTO code 0260)
Contact this provider
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Imperial College of Trades (RTO code 40287)
Contact this provider
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RTO Leadership Institute (RTO code 40682)
Contact this provider
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SuniTAFE (RTO code 4693)
Contact this provider
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Yalga-binbi Institute for Community Development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation (RTO code 31116)
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.