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AHC30722 Certificate III in Horticulture

Horticulture FreeTAFE

Next intake

February 2025

Location

East Geelong Campus

Duration

Full-time: 12 months
Part-time: 3 years

Course description

If you have a passion for the outdoors, plants, and hands-on work, a career in horticulture could be perfect for you.

Learn plant identification, pest and disease management, propagation, soils and plant nutrition, customer service, plant establishment, drainage and irrigation, and Work Health and Safety. Train in state-of-the-art facilities guided by experienced and passionate teachers who offer extensive industry knowledge and connections.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to either enter the horticulture industry or advance your career if you already have prior experience. With the flexibility of full-time or part-time study options, you can choose a path that will best fit your lifestyle and commitments.

Information sessions


5:30pm
H1.02
East Geelong
Register

Full-Time:

  • For individuals with no prior industry experience. This path allows you to complete the course in 12 months.

Part-Time:

  • For individuals without industry experience, suitable for newcomers and allows you to complete the course in 3 years.
  • For individuals with prior industry experience, ideal for upskilling, with a course duration of 2.5 years.

Possible career outcomes

  • Horticulturalist 
  • Nursery worker - retail/wholesale 
  • Landscaper 
  • Grounds person 
  • Parks and gardens assistant
  • Nursery Plant Propagator  

Applications & attendance

How to apply

  1. Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
  2. Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants

To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider can assist you with this and will also start your application and enrolment process. Find a local provider here

Intake Applications Attendance Classes  
2025 February
East Geelong Campus		 Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025		 Class Night Part Time Wed Night5-9pm(With Industry Experience) Apply
2025 February
East Geelong Campus		 Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025		 Class Day Full Time Mon, Thur & Fri 8.30 to 4.00pm Apply

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.

Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.

Additional attendance information

Night Classes are delivered between 5pm and 9pm, one night a week at the East campus.

The length of the course is 2.5 years and the entrance requirements are the same as for the Day Certificate III in Horticulture.

Entrance requirements

  • Applicants must be 17 years and over at the time of course commencement.
  • Applicants are expected to have literacy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3 and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Year 11 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 2.
  • You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.

Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.

Units & assessments

Core Code Hours
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices AHCWRK320 60
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes AHCWHS302 50
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders AHCPMG302 80
Control weeds AHCPMG301 70
Identify and select plants AHCPCM308 90
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas AHCSOL304 60
Operate machinery and equipment AHCMOM304 40
Operate pressurised irrigation systems AHCIRG346 50
Perform specialist amenity pruning AHCPGD309 65
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases AHCCHM307 70
Transport and store chemicals AHCCHM304 50
Profile Elective Units Code Hours
Implement a plant establishment program AHCPGD307 80
Implement a plant nutrition program AHCPCM305 60
Implement a propagation plan AHCNSY313 90
Maintain indoor plants AHCNSY208 20
Provide information on plants and their culture AHCPCM306 70
Receive and dispatch nursery products AHCNSY309 40
PT Night Electives Code Hours
Implement a plant establishment program AHCPGD307 80
Implement a plant nutrition program AHCPCM305 60
Implement a propagation plan AHCNSY313 90
Maintain indoor plants AHCNSY208 20
Provide information on plants and their culture AHCPCM306 70
Receive and dispatch nursery products AHCNSY309 40
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

  • Written assignments
  • Team Projects
  • Hands-on projects

Fees

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

Fees Rate Unit Indicative Course Hours Indicative Tuition Indicative Gov Total
Concession Tuition AUD $1.69 per hour 1045 AUD $1,766.00 AUD $8,138.00
Standard Tuition AUD $8.47 per hour 1045 AUD $8,851.00 AUD $8,138.00
Full Fee Tuition AUD $9.74 per hour 1045 AUD $10,178.00
Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee
Materials AUD $680.00 Charged at enrolment
Resources AUD $60.00 Charged at enrolment
Education Levy AUD $156.75 Charged at enrolment
Excursions Fee AUD $120.00 Once charged at enrolment

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.

Fee help

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

Further study options

  • Certificate IV in Horticulture
  • Diploma of Horticulture
  • Advanced Diploma of Horticulture

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.