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 has the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required for specialised or skilled work in the conservation and ecosystem management industry.
The qualification provides for advanced skills and/or supervisory roles in a broad range of conservation and ecological work or can focus on areas of specific needs including:
- supervisory and management
- indigenous land management
- ecosystem management
- pest controller
- fire management.
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
- 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:
6 months – 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 a site inspection for ecological restoration | Core |
| Maintain workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Analyse and present research information | Elective |
| Apply project life cycle management processes | Elective |
| Capture, transport and release crocodiles | Elective |
| Conduct briefings and debriefings | Elective |
| Conduct community consultations | Elective |
| Conduct field surveillance for a biosecurity emergency response | Elective |
| Conduct simple prescribed burns | Elective |
| Contribute to a proposal for a negotiated outcome related to Country | Elective |
| Contribute to association governance | Elective |
| Coordinate events to support group purpose | Elective |
| Cost a project | Elective |
| Define the pest problem | Elective |
| Develop a pest management plan | Elective |
| Develop a regional pest management plan | Elective |
| Develop a system to monitor and evaluate the pest management plan | Elective |
| Develop and implement community programs | Elective |
| Develop approaches to include cultural and human diversity | Elective |
| Develop community networks | Elective |
| Develop interpretive activities | Elective |
| Develop procedures to minimise risks in the use of chemicals | Elective |
| Develop work practices to accommodate cultural identity | Elective |
| Document simple geological information for a site | Elective |
| Ensure compliance with pest legislation | Elective |
| Extract, clean, store and despatch tree seeds | Elective |
| Facilitate ongoing group development | Elective |
| Implement a pest management plan | Elective |
| Implement land and sea management practices | Elective |
| Implement quality assurance procedures | Elective |
| Implement the pest monitoring and evaluation plan | Elective |
| Inspect and monitor culturally significant places | Elective |
| Investigate a pest control failure | Elective |
| Lead team effectiveness | Elective |
| Liaise with media at a local level | Elective |
| Manage a multi-team sector | Elective |
| Manage conflict at work | Elective |
| Manage minor crocodile incidents in the wild | Elective |
| Obtain and manage sponsorship | Elective |
| Operate breathing apparatus open circuit | Elective |
| Operate within a budget framework | Elective |
| Plan a plant establishment program | Elective |
| Plan and conduct laboratory/field work | Elective |
| Plan and implement a biosecurity program | Elective |
| Plan and implement a chemical use program | Elective |
| Plan and supervise control activities on infected premises | Elective |
| Plan the implementation of revegetation works | Elective |
| Prepare project acquittal | Elective |
| Prepare specialised interpretive content on cultural and heritage environments | Elective |
| Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora, fauna and landscape | Elective |
| Present proposed courses of action at a meeting | Elective |
| Prevent injury | Elective |
| Process applications for changes in land use | Elective |
| Produce maps for land management purposes | Elective |
| Promote community programs | Elective |
| Protect and preserve incident scene | Elective |
| Protect places of cultural significance | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide information on issues and policies | Elective |
| Provide visitor information | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Recommend plants and cultural practices | Elective |
| Record and document Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community history | Elective |
| Report on a project | Elective |
| Report on place of potential cultural significance | Elective |
| Research and share information on Australian Indigenous cultures | Elective |
| Respond to urban fire | Elective |
| Respond to wildfire | Elective |
| Set out conservation earthworks | Elective |
| Source goods/services and evaluate contractors | Elective |
| Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projects | Elective |
| Supervise ecological restoration works | Elective |
| Supervise implementation of conservation earthworks plans | Elective |
| Supervise landscape project works | Elective |
| Supervise maintenance of property, machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Supervise the monitoring of biodiversity | Elective |
| Supervise work routines and staff performance | Elective |
| Support policy implementation | Elective |
| Suppress urban fire | Elective |
| Suppress wildfire | Elective |
| Undertake project work | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV 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 -
Environmental Consultant
ANZSCO 234312
Environmental Consultants analyse and advise on policies guiding the design, implementation and modification of government or commercial environmental operations and programs.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Environmental Research Scientist
ANZSCO 234313
Environmental Research Scientists study and develop policies and plans for the control of factors which may produce pollution, imbalance in or degradation of the environment.
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 -
Agricultural Technician
ANZSCO 311111
Agricultural Technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree
Training providers delivering Certificate IV 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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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY (RTO code 0373)
Contact this provider
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Department of Environment and Conservation (RTO code 0397)
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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TJILPI ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING SERVICES (RTO code 46371)
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.