The agricultural sector is definitely the one that has registered the most constant growth in enrolments. Factors determining that trend are surely the Australian Government’s policies aimed at directing the flow of migrants from urban centres to rural areas, where technical skills in the agricultural sector are highly sought after. In the documentation, we find in the introduction to the New Horticulture Labour Agreement of 2020 a strong incentive to study and obtain qualifications relating to agriculture, by introducing positions not usually in the lists, increases in maximum age limits and the possibility to transition to permanent visas. The course costs tend to be in the medium-high bracket ($10,000-12,000 per year on average) due to there being few schools with an active licence for international students.
Related Courses
Certificate II and III in Landscape Design
Skill Level: 3
Profession: ANZSCO 841411 Garden Labourer
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/AHC30910
Description: consisting of two very practical and introductory courses regarding the maintenance and creation of outside environments. The subjects are varied and include the construction of small structures in brick, recognising and planting plants, using chemical substances and generally learning a series of practical skills.
Certificates II, III and IV in Production Nursery
Skill Level: 3
Profession: ANZSCO 362411 Nurseryperson
Description: this combination of courses provides the student with increasingly more difficult concepts regarding the growth and cultivation of plants for retail.
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC40616
Certificates II, III and IV in Parks & Gardens
Skill Level: 3
Profession: ANZSCO 362211 Gardener (General)
Description: while the lower-level certificates programs are relevant for practical activities of assistance and support, in the higher certificates these skills are combined in a planning context that produces the well-rounded gardener.
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/AHC40516
Certificate III in Agriculture
Skill Level: 3
Profession: Farm / Station Worker
Description: introductory course to agricultural activities, recommended for those without any confidence in the subject and needing to start their skill set from zero. It involves learning basic processes like applying pesticides, administering medication to animals, maintaining machinery and other activities regarding animal husbandry and agriculture.
Certificates II, III and IV in Production Horticulture
Skill Level: 3
Profession: ANZSCO 121200 Crop Farmers
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/AHC40416
Description: this very practical course differs from the agriculture course in that its focus is strictly on cultivation. The main difference from ‘nursery’ is its comprehensive approach to all aspects of cultivation, rather than just those regarding retail activities. Plant nutrition, irrigation systems, and classifying soil types are fundamental parts of the program.
Diploma of Agriculture
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 121000 Farmers and Farm Managers
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC50116
Description: being a Diploma, this course, while still strongly relevant to the agricultural industry, uses the student’s prior knowledge (acquired through work experience or lower-level certificates) to construct a managerial type profile in the agricultural sector. The course covers the principles of planning cultivation, quality control techniques, mitigation of risk from climate change, workplace safety and strategies for using chemical agents in the medium-long term.
Diploma of Production Horticulture
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 121200 Crop Farmers
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC50316
Description: this course raises the Diploma holder to the level of supervisor with experience in the field of horticulture. Theoretical aspects gradually replace the practical features of the previous certificates and the student works on developing plans for hydroponic cultivation, relevant legislation, performance evaluation and medium-long term cultivation plans.
Diploma of Production Nursery Management
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 362411 Nurseryperson
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC50816
Description: this course integrates the skills acquired in the previous certificates of the same name with strategies aimed at maximising the income from commercial activities in the sector. Amongst the most interesting units we find management of irrigation systems, pesticide administration programs, monitoring the health of the plants.
Diploma / Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 121000 Farmers and Farm Managers
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/AHC51419
Description: the idea behind this sort of course is to train a manager with solid knowledge of the basics of the subject. This multi-disciplinary course culminates in enabling the student to plan, develop, monitor and evaluate a ‘whole farm plan’, that is, an entire agribusiness.
Diploma / Advanced Diploma of Landscape Design
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 362213 Landscape Gardener
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC50616
Description: as with all the Diplomas, the skills acquired previously by the student are mastered to be put to use in planning and ‘profitability’. One of the central subjects in the course, in fact, enables the student to become a ‘specialist consultant’ to clients who approach them with their problems. Other subjects look at the tools that are critical in evaluating project sites, management of complex projects and professional preparation of quotes and documentation.
Advanced Diploma of Conservation & Land Management
Skill Level: 2
Profession: ANZSCO 234313 – Park Ranger
Course program: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC60410
Description: this course almost totally abandons the practical component to focus on large-scale managerial aspects. The management of human resources in the agricultural industry is dealt with in various units, as well as the legislative, geographic and cultural differences of various regions.