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 reflects the role of those using artisanal methods to produce fermented food and/or beverage products, such as beer, spirits, miso, table olives and fermented meat products. In this role, makers analyse materials and products, exercising judgement to guide the fermentation process and the work of others.
This qualification offers specialisations in:
- Brewing
- Distilling, and
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Individuals with this qualification apply a broad range of specialised skills and knowledge in varied contexts that involve selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources and finding solutions to routine and non-routine problems as they arise. They may also have limited responsibility for the organisation of others.
No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, legislative and regulatory requirements for food processing and food businesses exist, so local requirements must be checked. All work must comply with Australian food safety standards and relevant codes of practice.
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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:
6 months – 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 an understanding of legal requirements of food production | Core |
| Apply sensory analysis in food and/or beverage production | Core |
| Control food contamination and spoilage | Core |
| Develop a HACCP-based food safety plan | Core |
| Interpret and respond to food and/or beverage test results | Core |
| Label foods according to legislative requirements | Core |
| Maintain work health and safety processes | Core |
| Manage raw materials | Core |
| Perform basic tests | Core |
| Administer inventory systems | Elective |
| Apply principles of food packaging | Elective |
| Apply raw materials, ingredient and process knowledge to production problems | Elective |
| Apply regulatory requirements to the production of alcoholic beverages | Elective |
| Blend spirits | Elective |
| Carry out transfer operations | Elective |
| Conduct a traceability exercise | Elective |
| Control and monitor fermentation | Elective |
| Design an artisan food production facility | Elective |
| Develop a new food product | Elective |
| Develop and review a business plan | Elective |
| Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures | Elective |
| Filter fermented beverages | Elective |
| Handle food safely in a retail environment | Elective |
| Identify the microbiological and biochemical properties of fermented food and/or beverages | Elective |
| Lead work teams and groups | Elective |
| Manage and propagate yeast | Elective |
| Manage bottling and packaging processes | Elective |
| Manage cellar operations | Elective |
| Manage filling and packaging of fermented beverages | Elective |
| Manage internal audits | Elective |
| Manage still operations to produce brown spirits | Elective |
| Manage still operations to produce white spirits | Elective |
| Manage utilities and energy for a production process | Elective |
| Manage wort production for brewing | Elective |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Participate in improvement processes | Elective |
| Participate in product recalls | Elective |
| Perform an allergen risk review | Elective |
| Plan and coordinate production equipment maintenance | Elective |
| Plan finances for new business ventures | Elective |
| Prepare and present artisan food and/or beverages | Elective |
| Prepare starter cultures for fermentation | Elective |
| Prepare, fill and store barrels for aging spirits | Elective |
| Produce fermented and dry-cured meat products | Elective |
| Produce fruit-based wash for distillation | Elective |
| Produce grain-based wash for distillation | Elective |
| Provide accurate food allergen information to consumers | Elective |
| Record and present data | Elective |
| Schedule and manage production | Elective |
| Set up a production or packaging line for operation | Elective |
| Supervise and maintain a food safety plan | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Artisan Fermented Products sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Food Technologist
ANZSCO 234212
Food Technologists develop new and improve existing food products, and set standards for producing, packaging and marketing food.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Chemistry Technician
ANZSCO 311411
Chemistry Technicians perform laboratory tests on organic and inorganic chemicals, analyse test data and carry out technical functions in support of Chemists or Chemical Engineers in a wide variety of areas such as fuels, agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, paints, metals, plastics, textiles, detergents, paper, fertilisers and cosmetics.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Other Science Technician
ANZSCO 311499
Other Science Technicians includes jobs like Calibration Technician, Fibre Technologist, Optics Technical Officer, Physics Technical Officer, and Textile Technical Officer.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Brewery Worker
ANZSCO 831112
Brewery Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make beer, and package, store and despatch beer in bottles, cans and kegs.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Artisan Fermented Products
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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National Food Institute (RTO code 3821)
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.