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 management job roles in agriculture, including managing livestock production, crop production and advice. Job roles vary across different industry sectors and may include:
- Farm production manager
- Production unit manager
- Station/property manager
- Pastoral operations manager
- Agricultural service providers.
Individuals with this qualification take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They must analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities.
This qualification applies to individuals with existing agriculture industry experience and technical skills and knowledge gained through training or employment specifically in the agriculture industry.
Work must comply with 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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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 available
See training providers offering VET Student Loans -
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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Develop workplace policy and procedures for environment and sustainability | Core |
| Manage workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Analyse and present research information | Elective |
| Apply plant biology to agronomic practices | Elective |
| Arrange marketing of livestock | Elective |
| Assess new industry developments | Elective |
| Collect and manage data | Elective |
| Conduct a sustainability energy audit | Elective |
| Conduct environment and food safety risk assessment of plant nutrition and soil fertility programs | Elective |
| Coordinate shearing and wool harvesting teams | Elective |
| Design an integrated permaculture system | Elective |
| Design and document an organic farm landscape | Elective |
| Design drainage systems | Elective |
| Design livestock effluent systems | Elective |
| Develop a farm plan | Elective |
| Develop a HACCP-based food safety plan | Elective |
| Develop a sales strategy for rural products | Elective |
| Develop an organic or biodynamic management plan | Elective |
| Develop and implement a breeding strategy | Elective |
| Develop and implement sustainable land use strategies | Elective |
| Develop and manage a chemical use strategy | Elective |
| Develop and manage a community based marketing supply chain | Elective |
| Develop and manage a plan for sustainable production | Elective |
| Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity | Elective |
| Develop and monitor a sustainable production plan | Elective |
| Develop and review a business plan | Elective |
| Develop climate risk management strategies | Elective |
| Develop livestock health and welfare strategies | Elective |
| Develop production plans for crops or pastures | Elective |
| Develop production plans for livestock | Elective |
| Develop sustainable agricultural practices that utilise renewable energy and recycling systems | Elective |
| Identify carryover water or continuous accounting | Elective |
| Implement a machinery management system | Elective |
| Implement and monitor transport logistics | Elective |
| Implement professional practice | Elective |
| Implement the introduction of biotechnology into the production system | Elective |
| Interpret legislation | Elective |
| Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents | Elective |
| Manage a permaculture aid and development project | Elective |
| Manage agricultural crop production | Elective |
| Manage an agroecology production system | Elective |
| Manage application of agents to crops or pastures | Elective |
| Manage business risk | Elective |
| Manage enterprise staff requirements | Elective |
| Manage erosion and sediment control | Elective |
| Manage forage conservation | Elective |
| Manage integrated crop and pasture production | Elective |
| Manage livestock production | Elective |
| Manage machinery and equipment | Elective |
| Manage personal and professional development | Elective |
| Manage recruitment and onboarding | Elective |
| Manage soils to enhance sustainability | Elective |
| Manage the harvest of crops | Elective |
| Manage trial and research material | Elective |
| Manage water systems | Elective |
| Market products and services | Elective |
| Monitor and manage soils for production | Elective |
| Monitor and review business performance | Elective |
| Negotiate and monitor contracts | Elective |
| Operate within a budget framework | Elective |
| Plan and implement a chemical use program | Elective |
| Plan and manage a stored grain program | Elective |
| Plan and manage infrastructure | Elective |
| Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and disease control in crops | Elective |
| Plan and monitor production processes | Elective |
| Plan and schedule compost production | Elective |
| Plan production for the whole business | Elective |
| Plan, implement and review a quality assurance program | Elective |
| Plan, monitor and evaluate strategies to improve livestock through genetics | Elective |
| Prepare and manage organic or biodynamic certification | Elective |
| Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports | Elective |
| Prepare estimates, quotes and tenders | Elective |
| Provide specialist advice to clients | Elective |
| Purchase and sell temporary water for irrigated agriculture and horticulture | Elective |
| Select and implement a GIS for sustainable agricultural systems | Elective |
| Select and use agricultural technology | Elective |
| Source goods/services and evaluate contractors | Elective |
| Write and present reports | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Agriculture sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Aquaculture Farmer
ANZSCO 121111
Aquaculture Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to breed and raise fish and other aquatic stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Cotton Grower
ANZSCO 121211
Plant, cultivate and harvest cotton crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Flower Grower
ANZSCO 121212
Plant, cultivate and harvest flowering and foliage plants.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Fruit and Nut Grower
ANZSCO 121213
Plant, cultivate and harvest plants that bear fruits or nuts.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Grain, Oilseed and Pasture Grower
ANZSCO 121214
Plant, cultivate and harvest grain, oilseeds and/or pastures.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Grape Grower
ANZSCO 121215
Plant, cultivate and harvest table or wine grapes.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Crop Farmer
ANZSCO 121216
Plant, cultivate and harvest a variety of crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Sugar Cane Grower
ANZSCO 121217
Plant, cultivate and harvest sugar cane.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Turf Grower
ANZSCO 121218
Plant, cultivate and harvest turf.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Vegetable Grower
ANZSCO 121221
Plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Other Crop Farmer
ANZSCO 121299
Plant, cultivate and harvest various crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Beekeeper
ANZSCO 121311
Beekeepers plan, organise, control, coordinate and operate apiaries to produce honey, queen bee pollen, beeswax and royal jelly, breed queen bees and pollinate crops.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Beef Cattle Farmer
ANZSCO 121312
Beef Cattle Farmers breed and raise beef cattle for meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Dairy Cattle Farmer
ANZSCO 121313
Dairy Cattle Farmers breed and raise dairy cattle for milk, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Deer Farmer
ANZSCO 121314
Deer Farmers breed and raise deer for meat, velvet, hides and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Goat Farmer
ANZSCO 121315
Goat Farmers breed and raise goats for fibre, milk, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Horse Breeder
ANZSCO 121316
Horse Breeders breed and raise horse for competition, dressage, eventing, showjumping, riding for pleasure, and working.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121317
Mixed Livestock Farmers breed and raise a variety of livestock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Pig Farmer
ANZSCO 121318
Pig Farmers breed and raise pigs for meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Poultry Farmer
ANZSCO 121321
Poultry Farmers breed and raise chickens, turkeys, ducks and other poultry for eggs, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Sheep Farmer
ANZSCO 121322
Sheep Farmers breed and raise sheep for wool, meat and breeding stock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Other Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121399
Other Livestock Farmers includes Alpaca Farmer, Crocodile Farmer, Dog Breeder, Emu Farmer, Llama Farmer, and Ostrich Farmer.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
ANZSCO 121411
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers plan, organise, control, coordinate and perform farming operations to both grow crops and to breed and raise livestock.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Railway Station Manager
ANZSCO 149412
Railway Station Managers manage the operations of railway stations.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
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 -
Sheep Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841515
Sheep Farm Workers perform routine tasks on a sheep farm, such as herding sheep into pens in preparation for branding, shearing, crutching, dipping and yarding for sale.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
ANZSCO 841611
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers perform routine tasks in crop cultivation and animal production.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Diploma of Agriculture
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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4 Up Skilling Pty Ltd (RTO code 32141)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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KREATE (RTO code 90782)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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UQ SKILLS (RTO code 1511)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Academies Australasia Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 90806)
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE (RTO code 21316)
Contact this provider
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Aventia Institute (RTO code 41418)
Contact this provider
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INTERNATIONAL HORSE COLLEGE (RTO code 31352)
Contact this provider
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Rural Industries Skill Training Centre Incorporated (RTO code 4198)
Contact this provider
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Tocal College (RTO code 91166)
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.