Certificate III in Horticulture

The Certificate III in Horticulture will provide you with a wide range of general horticultural skills that are to industry standard and can be taken to the workplace. The course will cover areas such as:

• identifying plants,
• propagation, 
• plant nutrition,
• specialist amenity pruning,
• implementing soil improvements
• controlling weeds, plant pests and diseases.

This on-campus course is very hands-on with a focus on the practical skills required to work in the industry. You will visit a range of gardens and commercial operations to give you an insight into the breadth of the industry and employment opportunities.

This course will give you the confidence to identify plants and provide information on plants and their growing needs.  You will acquire skills to assess and improve soils, develop plant establishment and display gardens including how to cost a project.  You will learn how to identify plant health problems, establish turf and perform specialist amenity pruning.  You will complete the AgVet Chemical Users course which provides you with the confidence to handle, store and apply chemicals safely. 

Upon successful completion, you will be equipped to gain work as a horticulturist in parks, nurseries, production, gardening, turf and landscape sectors. 

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

• Certificate III in Landscape Construction
• Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
• Certificate III in Production Nursery

During this course, you will be required to undertake 210 hours of work experience within the two-year course with a commercial operator (either voluntary or paid). You will be required to maintain a work diary as evidence and organise your own workplace arrangements.

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

This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.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.

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 16 units: 5 core and 11 elective.

During the course, you will be expected to undertake homework and practical experience tasks outside of class time. We recommend you allow for at least an extra day a week to be committed to the following during the course: 

• Up to three hours a week of research, pre-reading and revision before class that will also include completing a written knowledge assessment.

• 360 hours of practical experience - this includes 150 hours of practical application of skills. This can be done in your own garden, voluntary in someone else’s garden, at a plot at a community garden or in a horticultural workplace. You are required to keep a journal of the activities undertaken. This requirement needs to be completed within the two years of the course and must show application of a variety of the skills learnt. The remaining 210 hours of work experience must be with a commercial operator (either voluntary or paid). You must maintain a work diary as evidence, within the two years of the course. You are to organise your own workplace arrangements.

Core Units

Elective Units

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2. 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)

3. 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.

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.

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.

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.