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 competencies required to conduct environmental sampling, testing and monitoring in a variety of industries and contexts, including but not limited to:
- environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing (e.g. air, water, soil and rocks)
- geotechnical services
- natural resource management
- water supply and treatment, and storm and wastewater management
- solid and hazardous waste management.
This qualification applies to environmental assistants, environmental technicians and similar personnel typically employed by enterprises, service providers, non-government organisations or Commonwealth, state/territory/local governments.
Many of these employees are engaged in the monitoring of environmental impacts at industrial sites. They operate monitoring equipment, collect samples and conduct tests in the field and/or at site laboratories. Other employees may collect a range of field data relating to the suitability of land, levels of water use and similar factors and process and present these data using geographical information systems (GIS) software.
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 |
|---|---|
| Apply environmental management procedures | Core |
| Collect routine site samples | Core |
| Participate in environmental field work | Core |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety | Core |
| Process and present environmental data | Core |
| Undertake environmental field-based monitoring | Core |
| Work and communicate effectively as an environmental technician | Core |
| Apply circularity design thinking to all work streams | Elective |
| Assist with assessing and monitoring wetlands | Elective |
| Assist with assessing site environmental indicators | Elective |
| Capture photographic images | Elective |
| Collect and evaluate groundwater data | Elective |
| Collect and evaluate meteorological data | Elective |
| Collect spatial and discrete environmental data | Elective |
| Conduct a sustainability energy audit | Elective |
| Conduct a sustainable water use audit | Elective |
| Conduct an emissions audit | Elective |
| Conduct geotechnical site investigations | Elective |
| Conduct waste audits | Elective |
| Contribute to implementing WHS monitoring processes | Elective |
| Document simple geological information for a site | Elective |
| Identify environmentally significant organisms | Elective |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Measure and report carbon footprint | Elective |
| Monitor and evaluate noise | Elective |
| Navigate in urban, regional and remote areas | Elective |
| Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan | Elective |
| Participate as a member of a facility emergency response team | Elective |
| Perform aseptic techniques | Elective |
| Perform basic tests | Elective |
| Perform biological procedures | Elective |
| Perform chemical tests and procedures | Elective |
| Perform microscopic examination | Elective |
| Perform sampling and testing for site contamination | Elective |
| Perform sampling and testing of air | Elective |
| Perform sampling and testing of soils | Elective |
| Perform sampling and testing of water | Elective |
| Perform standard calibrations | Elective |
| Plan and conduct environmental project work | Elective |
| Produce site maps | Elective |
| Provide environmental information to customers | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Report environmental data | Elective |
| Source and assess spatial data | Elective |
| Use laboratory application software | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Environmental Monitoring and Technology sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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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 -
Earth Science Technician
ANZSCO 311412
Earth Science Technicians collect and test earth and water samples, record observations and analyse data in support of Geologists or Geophysicists.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
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 Environmental Monitoring and Technology
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
No providers found for this course.
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.