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 individuals who work as aquaculture attendants to support the care of aquatic stock in the aquaculture sector of the seafood industry. In this role, these individuals undertake a range of routine tasks such as handling, feeding and monitoring stock, and monitoring environmental conditions under the direction of a supervisor.
The environments in which these individuals work include:
- aquaculture farms
- aquarium wholesalers and retailers
- hatcheries and nurseries
- live post-harvest holding facilities.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at this time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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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.
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
- 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:
1 year - Qualification only:
6 months – 1 year
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Communicate in the seafood industry | Core |
| Handle stock | Core |
| Inspect and clean aquatic work equipment | Core |
| Meet workplace health and safety requirements | Core |
| Work effectively in the seafood industry | Core |
| Apply basic seafood handling and safety practices | Elective |
| Apply chemicals under supervision | Elective |
| Assemble and repair damaged netting | Elective |
| Carry out on-farm post-harvest operations | Elective |
| Clean fish | Elective |
| Collect broodstock and seedstock | Elective |
| Control diseases | Elective |
| Control predators and pests | Elective |
| Feed stock | Elective |
| Fillet fish and prepare portions | Elective |
| Harvest cultured or held stock | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of aquatic disease or pests | Elective |
| Licence to operate a forklift truck | Elective |
| Maintain stock culture, holding and other farm structures | Elective |
| Maintain the temperature of seafood | Elective |
| Manipulate stock culture environment | Elective |
| Monitor stock and environmental conditions | Elective |
| Monitor water quality | Elective |
| Operate a freezing process | Elective |
| Operate and maintain a recirculating aquaculture system | Elective |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Prepare and use aquatic technology | Elective |
| Prepare, pack and dispatch non-live product | Elective |
| Prepare, pack and dispatch stock for live transport | Elective |
| Produce algal or live-feed cultures | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Undertake routine maintenance of water supply and disposal systems and structures | Elective |
| Use waders safely in aquatic environments | Elective |
| Work with knives | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Aquaculture 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 -
Aquaculture Worker
ANZSCO 841111
Aquaculture Workers perform routine tasks in breeding and raising fish and other aquatic stock.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Fishing Hand
ANZSCO 899212
Fishing Hands catch fish, crustacea and molluscs using nets, pots, lines and traps in ocean and inland waters.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Aquaculture
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)
Contact this provider
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY (RTO code 0373)
Contact this provider
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Envirotech Education (RTO code 31871)
Contact this provider
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Heatley Secondary College (RTO code 30295)
Contact this provider
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Kirwan State High School (RTO code 30387)
Contact this provider
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Pimlico State High School (RTO code 30087)
Contact this provider
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Rail Ready (RTO code 90440)
Contact this provider
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Rockhampton State High School (RTO code 30345)
Contact this provider
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Seafood Training Tas (RTO code 7074)
Contact this provider
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Stratus Training (RTO code 40770)
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.