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 specifies the skills and knowledge required to identify, implement and report on sustainability related initiatives within a section of a large enterprise, such as a defined work area, work team or stage of production, or across a small or medium enterprise.
It applies to job roles with a specific focus on sustainability, such as sustainability officer or sustainability project assistant, and to other roles that assist with implementation of sustainability, such as technical personnel, team leaders or senior operators.
The qualification provides specialist sustainability competencies to assist organisations to identify and implement initiatives to meet their sustainability goals and to meet their obligations under sustainability related regulatory arrangements, government initiatives and voluntary standards and codes that may apply.
This qualification has no formal entry requirement due to the wide variety of sustainability applications in industry. However, most enterprises will expect the learner to hold operational or technical skills and experience in a vocational field and the qualification is not recommended for direct entry from school.
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:
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 |
|---|---|
| Evaluate sustainability impact from a work area or process | Core |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Improve sustainability through readily implementable change | Core |
| Apply business risk management processes | Elective |
| Apply circularity design thinking to all work streams | Elective |
| Apply environmental management procedures | Elective |
| Apply HACCP to the workplace | Elective |
| Apply project life cycle management processes | Elective |
| Apply project procurement procedures | Elective |
| Apply project stakeholder engagement techniques | Elective |
| Assess and advise on waste avoidance options | Elective |
| Assist in the analysis of a supply chain | Elective |
| Coordinate environmental management activities | Elective |
| Develop a business case for improved energy management | Elective |
| Develop required sustainability reports | Elective |
| Enable traceability in supply chains | Elective |
| Facilitate breakthrough improvements | Elective |
| Facilitate team engagement with sustainability | Elective |
| Facilitate use of a Balanced Scorecard for performance improvement | Elective |
| Implement social sustainability in work practices | Elective |
| Implement sustainability plans | Elective |
| Implement waste management plans | Elective |
| Improve cost factors in work practices | Elective |
| Investigate energy management as a business issue | Elective |
| Lead circular economy initiatives in the supply chain | Elective |
| Lead digital supply chain implementation | Elective |
| Manage fundamental aspects of supply chains | Elective |
| Measure and report carbon footprint | Elective |
| Optimise sustainability performance of a work area or process | Elective |
| Participate in environmental field work | Elective |
| Plan, implement and monitor energy management | Elective |
| Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process | Elective |
| Source goods/services and evaluate contractors | Elective |
| Undertake environmental field-based monitoring | Elective |
| Undertake root cause analysis | Elective |
| Use planning software systems in operations | Elective |
| Work safely | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Sustainable Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Environmental Manager
ANZSCO 139912
Environmental Managers manage the development and implementation of environmental management systems within organisations by identifying, solving and alleviating environmental issues, such as pollution and waste treatment, in compliance with environmental legislation and to ensure corporate sustainable development.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Life Science Technician
ANZSCO 311413
Life Science Technicians identify and collects living organisms and conducts field and laboratory studies in support of Life Scientists or Environmental Scientists.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Sustainable Operations
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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AIM VET (RTO code 0049)
Contact this provider
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Australian College of Business Intelligence (RTO code 40835)
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.