Certificate III in Agriculture

Free TAFE
Free TAFE Pathways Program
Course Code AHC30116
Locations Hamilton, Colac, Glenormiston

Would you prefer another study location? Click here

Study Mode Part-time, On Campus
Length Two years
Commencement Apply any time (Colac and Glenormiston), expressions of interest (Hamilton)
Timetable One day a week on campus for 36 sessions per year.
Colac: Tuesdays
Glenormiston: Mondays
Hamilton: expressions of interest
Note This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.
Course Overview
Introduction

Looking to work in livestock production, cropping or a mixed agricultural enterprise?

The Certificate III in Agriculture will give you the skills and knowledge to work independently, and in teams, doing a wide variety of practical tasks with machinery, animals and plants. You will also gain hands-on experience in machinery operation, selecting suitable management techniques and thinking through what the best way to manage the unexpected.

We are offering this course at our Colac campus and Glenormiston Training Facility. We are also taking expressions of interest to study this course in Hamilton, click here to register your interest.

What will I Learn?

A variety of agricultural skills including:

  • machinery operation
  • animal handling
  • animal health
  • construct conventional fencing
  • first aid
  • establish pastures and crops for livestock production
  • artificial insemination and fertility management

Course Outcomes and Career Opportunities

Australian agriculture is expanding to feed the growing world population and is a leader in innovation and use of technology. A wide range of career paths are available to graduates on and off farm from managing a farm to providing key services to the agricultural industry based on the sound knowledge you have gained undertaking this course.

Upon completion of this course, you will be equipped to gain employment as:

  • Farm or station hand
  • Farm or station worker
  • Livestock transport driver

Pathways

This course may provide a pathway to further study in the agriculture field such as:

Course in Transition

This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.

To ensure course content is relevant and industry-specific, industry is constantly having input into this training package. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future and you may be enrolled in the new qualification. Further information will be provided on our website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.

Course Requirements
Entrance requirements & pre-requisites

You must be at least 15 years old to enrol. In order to complete the qualification, you must be at least 16 years old to undertake certain units.

You must also be employed in the agriculture industry.

Course requirements

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 16 units: 2 core and 14 elective.

Units offered

Core Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes 50 $0.00
AHCWRK309 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices 50 $0.00

Elective Units

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Unit Code Unit Name Unit Hours Unit Consumables
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals 50 $0.00
AHCINF302 Plan and construct an electric fence 60 $0.00
AHCINF303 Plan and construct conventional fencing 60 $0.00
AHCLSK301 Administer medication to livestock 80 $0.00
AHCLSK305 Maintain livestock water supplies 30 $0.00
AHCLSK309 Implement animal health control programs 50 $0.00
AHCLSK311 Implement feeding plans for livestock 140 $0.00
AHCLSK318 Rear newborn and young livestock 50 $0.00
AHCMOM202 Operate tractors 40 $21.00
AHCMOM207 Conduct front-end loader operations 60 $0.00
AHCMOM213 Operate and maintain chainsaws 40 $30.00
AHCWRK303 Respond to emergencies 60 $0.00
AHCMOM302 Perform machinery maintenance 50 $0.00
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases 70 $65.00
AHCMOM217 Operate quad bikes 60 $21.00
AHCMOM216 Operate side by side utility vehicles 50 $21.00
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid 18 $52.50
AHCLSK330 Implement procedures for calving 60 $0.00
AHCBAC311 Conserve forage 80 $0.00
AHCBAC313 Establish pastures and crops for livestock production 80 $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) $4,185.00
Concession rate $840.00
Full fee rate (if not eligible for govt subsidy) $17,840.00
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.

This course is part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program

A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in. For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about the Free TAFE Pathways Program 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) $448.75
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.