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 individuals who work in the protected horticulture industry undertaking skilled work in the areas of picking, packing, crop and nursery work.
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 not available for this course.
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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.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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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.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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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 |
|---|---|
| Apply biosecurity measures | Core |
| Apply environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Apply quality systems and procedures | Core |
| Carry out manual handling tasks | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs | Core |
| Access, extract and monitor water for irrigation | Elective |
| Administer inventory systems | Elective |
| Apply principles of food packaging | Elective |
| Bench graft vines | Elective |
| Clean and sanitise equipment | Elective |
| Clean equipment in place | Elective |
| Collect and record production data | Elective |
| Control plant pests, diseases and disorders | Elective |
| Control stock | Elective |
| Control weeds | Elective |
| Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting | Elective |
| Coordinate work site activities | Elective |
| Establish and monitor hydroponic crops | Elective |
| Establish horticultural crops | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Implement a crop regulation program | Elective |
| Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Implement a plant nutrition program | Elective |
| Inspect and clean machinery, tools and equipment to preserve biosecurity | Elective |
| Install and maintain vertical hanging trellis | Elective |
| Install hydroponic systems | Elective |
| Licence to operate a forklift truck | Elective |
| Maintain crop | Elective |
| Maintain nursery plants | Elective |
| Maintain stock control and receivals | Elective |
| Measure irrigation delivery system performance | Elective |
| Monitor and operate water treatment processes | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Operate a process control interface | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a filtration process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor interrelated processes in a production or packaging system | Elective |
| Operate fertigation equipment | Elective |
| Operate machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Operate the carton erection process | Elective |
| Operate the labelling process | Elective |
| Operate the palletising process | Elective |
| Operate tractors | Elective |
| Organise receival and despatch operations | Elective |
| Participate in an audit process | Elective |
| Participate in improvement processes | Elective |
| Perform basic packaging tests and inspections | Elective |
| Perform manual pollination of crops | Elective |
| Perform plant blocking on | Elective |
| Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | Elective |
| Prepare growing media | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide information on plants and their culture | Elective |
| Report on workplace performance | Elective |
| Respond to emergencies | Elective |
| Set up a production or packaging line for operation | Elective |
| Support horticultural crop harvesting | Elective |
| Transport and store chemicals | Elective |
| Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders | Elective |
| Undertake field budding and grafting | Elective |
| Undertake propagation activities | Elective |
| Use infotechnology devices in the workplace | Elective |
| Use product knowledge to complete work operations | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Protected Horticulture sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Vegetable Grower
ANZSCO 121221
Plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Supply and Distribution Manager
ANZSCO 133611
Supply and Distribution Managers manage the supply, storage and distribution of goods produced by organisations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
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 -
Other Crop Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841299
Other Crop Farm Workers includes jobs like Coffee Plantation Worker, Flower Buncher or Picker, Hop Farm Worker, Lavender Farm Worker, Sugar Cane Planter, Tea Plantation Worker, Tea Tree Farm Worker, and Turf Farm Worker.
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 Protected Horticulture
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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Imperial College of Trades (RTO code 40287)
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.