Certificate II in Horticulture

Free TAFE
Course Code AHC20422
Locations Portland, Sherwood Park (Warrnambool)

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Study Mode Part-time, On Campus
Length 12 months
Commencement February, July
Timetable One day a week (9am - 4pm). Classes are only during school terms.
Sherwood Park: Wednesdays.


Course Overview
Introduction

This is an introductory level for horticulture course suitable for people interested in horticulture as a career or leading to an apprenticeship as well as keen gardeners wanting to perfect techniques.

This course is very hands-on and will cover set units including OH&S, recognise plants, lay paving, pot up plants, propagation, planting, pruning, machinery and equipment chemicals (under supervision), micro-irrigation, weeds, pests, diseases & disorders, soil properties, grass renovation and display plantings.

With increasing urbanisation, amenity horticulture is a growth industry and horticultural food production both at a local level and for wider distribution as a business enterprise is on the rise.

What will I Learn?

This course will provide you with a well-rounded understanding of key elements of horticulture including:

  • understanding plant and soil properties
  • managing plant health
  • plant naming
  • plant propagation methods
  • basic planting and landscaping techniques
  • tools and machinery used in horticulture

Course Outcomes and Career Opportunities

This course will provide a pathway to work in any horticultural enterprise including an apprenticeships or traineeships at Certificate III level. Upon successful completion, you will be ready to start a horticultural career at worker level that can then develop into more specialist areas or managerial positions with further experience and training.

Career opportunities include:

  • gardener
  • nursery worker
  • landscaper
  • turf industry worker

Pathways

This qualification can provide a pathway to further study in the horticulture field including:

  • Certificate III in Horticulture
  • Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
  • Certificate III in Landscape Construction
  • Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Apprenticeship)
  • Certificates III in Nursery Operations

Information Session

Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts. 

Find the next info session near you

Course Requirements
Entrance requirements & pre-requisites

You must be at least 17 years of age.

Units offered

Core Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
AHCMOM203 Operate basic machinery and equipment 20 $0.00
AHCPMG201 Treat weeds 40 $0.00
AHCPMG202 Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders 30 $0.00
AHCSOL203 Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing 30 $0.00
AHCWHS202 Participate in workplace health and safety processes 30 $0.00
AHCWRK211 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices 30 $0.00
AHCPCM204 Recognise plants 40 $0.00
AHCPGD207 Plant trees and shrubs 20 $0.00

Elective Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
AHCIRG219 Assist with low volume irrigation operations 40 $0.00
AHCNSY207 Undertake propagation activities 30 $0.00
AHCLSC206 Assist with landscape construction work 30 $0.00
AHCLSC209 Lay paving 30 $0.00
AHCPGD208 Prepare and maintain plant displays 35 $0.00
AHCPGD209 Prune shrubs and small trees 35 $0.00
AHCTRF208 Support turf establishment 40 $0.00
Assessment

This course involves accredited units.  You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes.  A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment. 

Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms.  Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance.  You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.

After applying

Once you have applied for your chosen course, you will receive a thank you email from South West TAFE with a few steps to help process your enrolment.

Complete a Pre-Training Review
You will receive an email to complete a Pre-Training Review online evaluation. This evaluation helps us tailor your training to suit your needs.

Create or provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A USI is a nationally recognised reference number that provides an online record of your training qualifications gained in Australia.
Create your USI
Already have a USI but can’t remember it? Find your USI

Skills recognition
If you have experience or prior qualifications, you may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning and gain credits. You will be asked to provide any relevant Statement of Attainment to support identified credits.

Fees
Course Fees

Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.

Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements.  Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :

  1. Tuition fees - charged as an hourly rate that varies from course to course. A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for eligible students.
  2. Resource and/or materials costs - covers the cost of materials and other incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.
  3. Booklist items - such as textbooks, equipment and stationery recommended for your course

Tuition fees

There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances). 

  1. Government Subsidised Fee - you could be eligible for a government-subsidised rate under the Skills First funding depending on your age, educational history, and citizenship or residency status. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
    Find out more about subsidised training

  2. Government Subsidised Concession Fee - If you are eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place and hold a current healthcare or pension card, that you can provide at enrolment, you may be eligible for the concession rate. Note, the concession rate is not applicable to Diploma level courses.
    Find out more about concession rates

  3. If the course is a Free TAFE course or part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program - Eligible students will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). Any resource or material costs, or booklist items for this course are listed in the table below.
    Find out more about Free TAFE
    Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Programs

  4. Full fee - If you are not eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place, exemption, concession or are enrolling in a course that isn't government-subsidised, you may be required to pay the full fee rate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The fees listed below are indicative only. The course fees published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Course fee funding is made available to eligible individuals by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. An accurate quote for this course will be provided during the enrolment process.

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Course fees by student type Indicative Course Fee
Government subsidised rate (if eligible) $2,210.00
Concession rate $445.00
Full fee rate (if not eligible for govt subsidy) $6,425.00
This is a Free TAFE course

Students who are eligible for Free TAFE place will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about Free TAFE courses and eligibility or contact us.

Resource and/or materials costs

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.

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Additional course fees Indicative Course Fee
Course consumable/materials (approximate) $233.63
How do I pay my fees?

Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.

You have three options when organising your payment:

  1. Upfront payment - can be made over the phone with EFTPOS
  1. Payment plan - can be directly debited from your bank account, debited from your Centrelink payments or via a VET Student Loan (for diploma or advanced diploma courses only)
  1. Paid by employer, school or job network agency - if your fees are being paid by your employer, school or job network agency, you will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form.

Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.

We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.

Next Steps
How to apply

There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.

  1. Apply - complete a short online application form. Once this form is submitted we'll send you a thank-you email.
  2. Literacy and Numeracy Assessment - we will assess whether you need to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment and email it to you if required.
    If you are not required to undertake this assessment, you will skip to step 3.
  3. Chat to our team - your teacher or course specialist will contact you to discuss the course in more detail and ensure the right units of study are selected for you.
  4. Enrol – you will be sent an email to accept your offer for the course. By accepting, you will be directed to verify your details and submit your enrolment for processing.
  5. Pay - once we’ve completed your enrolment, we will send you an invoice to arrange payment of your course fees.

If you need any assistance with applying, contact our team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.

Careers and Course Advice

Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.

Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.

Student Support

As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.