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 provides the skills and theoretical and practical knowledge for work or further learning in the conservation and ecosystem management industry. The qualification provides for work roles encompassing a broad range of skills, or can be focussed on one or more specialisations, including:
- Indigenous land management
- Ecological restoration
- Land, parks and wildlife management
- Pest controller
- Conservation earthworks
- Marine
- Fire
- Mined land rehabilitation
Individuals with this qualification perform a range of conservation and ecosystem management activities including, site restoration, rehabilitation and renewal and management of the rural and natural landscapes, degraded sites, and marine environments. They contribute to the preservation and maintenance of wildlife and their habitat in the natural ecosystem, parks and reserves. Activities frequently involve working with and preservation of indigenous culture and heritage resources.
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:
2 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Apply animal trapping techniques | Elective |
| Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment | Elective |
| Apply biosecurity measures | Elective |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Apply GIS software to spatial problems | Elective |
| Apply health, safety and risk controls when working on oiled shorelines | Elective |
| Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes | Elective |
| Apply predator trapping techniques | Elective |
| Apply project procurement procedures | Elective |
| Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres | Elective |
| Assess operational risk | Elective |
| Assist in collecting basic spatial data | Elective |
| Assist with planned burning | Elective |
| Carry out inspection of designated area | Elective |
| Collect and preserve biological samples | Elective |
| Collect native seed | Elective |
| Comply with environmental protection requirements when transporting waste | Elective |
| Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres | Elective |
| Comply with soil and water protection | Elective |
| Conduct a site inspection for ecological restoration | Elective |
| Conduct a subtidal marine monitoring operation from a vessel or platform | Elective |
| Conduct bulk water truck operations | Elective |
| Conduct crocodile surveys | Elective |
| Conduct intertidal marine monitoring | Elective |
| Conduct operational inspection of park facilities | Elective |
| Conduct photography for fieldwork | Elective |
| Conduct site inspections | Elective |
| Construct access tracks | Elective |
| Construct conservation earthworks | Elective |
| Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | Elective |
| Control weeds | Elective |
| Coordinate and report on data collection | Elective |
| Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair | Elective |
| Coordinate marine conservation activities on small vessels | Elective |
| Coordinate work site activities | Elective |
| Design and produce business documents | Elective |
| Determine pest control techniques | Elective |
| Ensure compliance with pest legislation | Elective |
| Erect timber structures and features | Elective |
| Establish an Australian native stingless bee colony | Elective |
| Extract, clean, store and despatch tree seeds | Elective |
| Follow Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols | Elective |
| Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel | Elective |
| Handle a vessel up to 12 metres | Elective |
| Identify and collect marine life | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Identify and select explosive products | Elective |
| Identify customs and land rights for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community | Elective |
| Identify fauna in the field | Elective |
| Identify plant specimens | Elective |
| Identify the effects of climate change as a factor in land management | Elective |
| Implement a biodiversity monitoring plan | Elective |
| Implement a landscape maintenance program | Elective |
| Implement a maintenance program for an aquatic environment | Elective |
| Implement a plant establishment program | Elective |
| Implement an irrigation-related environmental protection program | Elective |
| Implement assisted regeneration works | Elective |
| Implement biological reintroduction works | Elective |
| Implement cultural burning practices on Country | Elective |
| Implement ecosystem reconstruction works | Elective |
| Implement erosion and sediment control measures | Elective |
| Implement pest management strategies | Elective |
| Implement property improvement, construction and repair | Elective |
| Interpret aspects of local Australian Indigenous culture | Elective |
| Maintain native ecosystem areas | Elective |
| Manage fauna populations | Elective |
| Manage trees to create and maintain habitat refuges | Elective |
| Monitor ocean conditions and marine environmental quality | Elective |
| Monitor weather conditions | Elective |
| Navigate in remote or trackless areas | Elective |
| Operate aerial ignition equipment in an aircraft | Elective |
| Operate and maintain chainsaws | Elective |
| Operate chemical application machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate four wheel drive vehicle | Elective |
| Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads | Elective |
| Operate in isolated and remote situations | Elective |
| Operate inboard and outboard motors | Elective |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate mobile underwater vehicles | Elective |
| Operate remotely piloted system for conservation work | Elective |
| Operate specialised machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate specialist appliance | Elective |
| Operate within a budget framework | Elective |
| Perform basic ecological restoration works | Elective |
| Perform biological procedures | Elective |
| Perform complex four wheel drive operations | Elective |
| Perform diver rescues | Elective |
| Perform laboratory-based ecological techniques | Elective |
| Perform machinery maintenance | Elective |
| Perform restricted diving for scientific purposes | Elective |
| Plan and construct conventional fencing | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Prepare and use explosives | Elective |
| Prepare to work safely in the construction industry | Elective |
| Prepare to work with crocodiles | Elective |
| Prevent injury | Elective |
| Produce basic maps | Elective |
| Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy | Elective |
| Provide basic animal first aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site | Elective |
| Provide information on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples' cultural practice | Elective |
| Provide information on plants and their culture | Elective |
| Provide on-job training support | Elective |
| Read and interpret maps | Elective |
| Recognise landforms and soil types | Elective |
| Recognise plants | Elective |
| Recover four wheel drive vehicle | Elective |
| Rehabilitate exploration site | Elective |
| Rehabilitate small mine site | Elective |
| Respond to emergencies | Elective |
| Respond to rescue incidents | Elective |
| Respond to wildfire | Elective |
| Respond to wildlife emergencies | Elective |
| Sample seed before and after processing | Elective |
| SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres | Elective |
| Set out conservation earthworks | Elective |
| Set out site for construction works | Elective |
| Store and retrieve basic spatial data | Elective |
| Supervise dust and noise control | Elective |
| Supervise park visitor activities | Elective |
| Suppress dust in open-cut environments | Elective |
| Suppress wildfire | Elective |
| Survey pests | Elective |
| Survive at sea using survival craft | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Transport machinery | Elective |
| Treat operational risk | Elective |
| Trim trees using a pole saw | Elective |
| Undertake burning for fuel, ecological and cultural resource management | Elective |
| Undertake direct seeding | Elective |
| Undertake sampling and testing of water | Elective |
| Use advanced equipment operations for oil spill response | Elective |
| Use basic equipment operations for oil spill response | Elective |
| Use firearms to humanely destroy animals | Elective |
| Work as a guide | Elective |
| Work safely around aircraft | Elective |
| Work safely in crocodile habitats | Elective |
| Work with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community or organisation | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Conservation Officer
ANZSCO 234311
Conservation Officers develop and implement programs and regulations for the protection of fish, wildlife and other natural resources.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Park Ranger
ANZSCO 234314
Park Rangers assist in controlling a State or national park, scenic area, historic site, nature reserve, recreation area or conservation reserve in accordance with authorised policies and priorities.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Other Environmental Scientist
ANZSCO 234399
Other Environmental Scientists includes jobs like Environmental Educator, and Soil Scientist.
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 -
Fire Fighter
ANZSCO 441212
Protect life and property by responding to fire alarms and emergency calls, putting out fires and administering first aid.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
ANZSCO 721211
Earthmoving Plant Operators (General) operate a range of earthmoving plants to assist with building roads, rail, water supplies, dams, treatment plants and agricultural earthworks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew
ANZSCO 721911
Aircraft Baggage Handlers and Airline Ground Crews load and unload baggage, direct planes, position staircases, fill aircraft fuel tanks and perform other aircraft ground services to ensure aircraft operations run efficiently.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Linemarker
ANZSCO 721912
Linemarkers operate plants to apply markings to roads and other surfaces such as car parks, airports and sportsgrounds.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Paving Plant Operator
ANZSCO 721913
Paving Plant Operators operate plants to spread and level hot bituminous paving materials and lay concrete on areas such as highways, roads and car parks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Railway Track Plant Operator
ANZSCO 721914
Railway Track Plant Operators operate plants to lay, align, repair and maintain railway tracks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Road Roller Operator
ANZSCO 721915
Road Roller Operators operate power-driven rollers to prepare surfaces for roads, runways and car parks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Streetsweeper Operator
ANZSCO 721916
Streetsweeper Operators operate plants to clean streets and gutters of litter and debris.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Mining Support Worker
ANZSCO 821914
Mining Support Workers perform routine tasks in mining and mineral ore treating operations, such as assembling, operating and dismantling mining equipment, taking ore, rock and dust samples, and mixing ore treating chemicals and catalysts.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Pest Controller
ANZSCO 841913
Pest Controllers apply pest management techniques to control invertebrate and insect pests inside and outside domestic, commercial and industrial premises.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
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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Axiom College (RTO code 40489)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Ballistic Training Solutions (RTO code 41097)
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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Jenagar Pty Ltd (RTO code 31963)
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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Yalga-binbi Institute for Community Development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation (RTO code 31116)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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18fifty3 Training (RTO code 45707)
Contact this provider
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Arbortrim Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 3562)
Contact this provider
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ARO COLLEGE (RTO code 40056)
Contact this provider
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Cartec Training Solutions (RTO code 52502)
Contact this provider
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Department of Environment and Conservation (RTO code 0397)
Contact this provider
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ECHAM TRAINING PTY LTD (RTO code 46476)
Contact this provider
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Envirotech Education (RTO code 31871)
Contact this provider
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LRM Consulting Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 32552)
Contact this provider
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ON COUNTRY ACADEMY PTY LTD (RTO code 45741)
Contact this provider
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PVO Training (RTO code 5795)
Contact this provider
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RESCUE TRAINING GROUP PTY LTD (RTO code 30993)
Contact this provider
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Tallebudgera Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre (RTO code 30685)
Contact this provider
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The Hub for Learning Pty Ltd (RTO code 45630)
Contact this provider
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TJILPI ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING SERVICES (RTO code 46371)
Contact this provider
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Tocal College (RTO code 91166)
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UQ SKILLS (RTO code 1511)
Contact this provider
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Walan-Miya (RTO code 21359)
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WISE Training Services (RTO code 6653)
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Yakka Training (RTO code 41176)
Contact this provider
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Yalagan Registered Training (RTO code 91627)
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.