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Certificate III in Dairy Production

AHC30221

Study Mode

Online Classes & Workplace Training
On Campus & Workplace

Free TAFE is available

Certificate III in Dairy Production - AHC30221

Course Overview

The Certificate III in Dairy Production is the recognised qualification to become a qualified Dairy Farmhand.

Students will learn core skills in animal nutrition and care, establishing crops and pastures, and rearing newborn/young livestock. Participants will also learn how to oversee the harvesting of livestock milk, and maintain milking equipment and facilities to ensure maximum and high-quality production.

This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.

Careers & study pathways

Where can this course take me?

This course prepares graduates to work as a Dairy Farmhand.

Further study

After graduating, students might like to undertake further study in the AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture.

Course details

Upcoming dates and times

Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.

Open From: 08-Feb-2024 - Part time - Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - Online Classes & Workplace Training

Open From: 29-Mar-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - Online Classes & Workplace Training

Open From: 29-Jun-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - Online Classes & Workplace Training

Open From: 21-Sep-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Thursday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - Online Classes & Workplace Training

Open From: 07-Feb-2024 - Part time - Wednesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Workplace

Open From: 29-Mar-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Wednesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Workplace

Open From: 29-Jun-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Wednesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Workplace

Open From: 21-Sep-2024 - Traineeship - Part time - Wednesday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Workplace

Study units

Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.

This course requires a total of 17 units: 10 core and 7 elective.

  • AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
  • AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
  • AHCDRY303 Coordinate and monitor milking operations
  • AHCDRY304 Carry out routine service of milking equipment
  • AHCLSK309 Implement animal health control programs
  • AHCLSK311 Implement feeding plans for livestock
  • AHCLSK318 Rear newborn and young livestock
  • AHCLSK330 Implement procedures for calving
  • AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes
  • AHCWRK303 Respond to emergencies
  • AHCAIS202 Assist with artificial insemination procedures
  • AHCAIS304 Artificially inseminate livestock
  • AHCBAC313 Establish pastures and crops for livestock production
  • AHCINF302 Plan and construct an electric fence
  • AHCLSK305 Maintain livestock water supplies
  • AHCLSK341 Coordinate artificial insemination and fertility management of livestock
  • AHCMOM202 Operate tractors
  • AHCMOM207 Conduct front-end loader operations
  • AHCMOM216 Operate side by side utility vehicles
  • AHCWRK309 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices

Attendance & commitment

General public face-to-face delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load

Students are expected to:

  • Attend classes on campus one day per week (6 hours per day).
  • Attend 8 practical skills assessment days (6 hours per day).
  • Spend approximately 5 hours per week working through their course materials research, revision, and completion of assessments.
  • Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
  • Consolidate their learning in their workplace.

General public blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load

Students are expected to:

  • Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials research, revision, and completion of assessments.
  • Attend campus 3 hours per week for a virtual class (36 per year).
  • Attend weekly online support sessions, as required (1pm -4pm).
  • Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
  • Attend the William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
  • Consolidate their learning in their workplace.

Traineeship face-to-face delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load

Students are expected to:

  • Attend on campus 1 day per week (6 hours).
  • Attend the William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
  • Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
  • Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
  • Consolidate their learning in their workplace.

Traineeship/School-Based Apprenticeship Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load

Students are expected to:

  • Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials research, revision, and completion of assessments.
  • Attend 3 hours per week for a virtual class (36 per year).
  • Attend weekly online support sessions, as required (1 pm -4 pm).
  • Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
  • Attend the William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
  • Consolidate their learning in their workplace.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods may include:

  • Workplace observations
  • Case studies
  • Knowledge questions
  • Projects
  • Simulated demonstration

Before you begin

Entry requirements

GOTAFE entry requirements

Before being accepted into this course applicants:

  • Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
  • Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
  • To be selected for this course you will need to work a minimum of 2 days per week on a Dairy Farm.
  • A basic First Aid Certificate is required or must be acquired before the completion of AHCWRK303 - Respond to emergencies.
  • Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.

Inherent requirements

  • This industry requires you to work outdoors and in a variety of conditions.
  • You will need to be physically fit.
  • Working in this industry may require weekend and early morning work.
  • Participants must enjoy working with animals and operating machinery.

Student resources

Students must have:

  • A laptop/computer with internet access.
  • Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
  • General stationary (pens, pencils, rulers).
  • Work boots and appropriate outdoor clothing for the weather

Enrolment

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

  • Aspirations/career goals
  • Educational attainment and capability
  • Literacy and numeracy skills
  • Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

  • Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.

Fees and payments

This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.

Fees and costs

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

1. Subsidised Standard
$4,511.00
2. Subsidised Standard (Concession)
$902.00
3. Subsidised Trainee
$2,571.00
4. Subsidised Trainee (Concession)
$514.00
5. Full Fee
$14,696.00
Course Materials
$679.00
Student Services Fees (per year)
$100.00

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.

Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:

  • are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2024 and may change without notice.
  • will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.

Course Fees consist of 3 different components:

  1. Student Tuition Fee - cover the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
    1. an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
    2. an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
    3. ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
  2. Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts, and booklets, e-Learning resources, and associated license access fees and excursions.
  3. Student Services Fee (SSF) - contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.

Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session or during the pre-training review Interview.

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options

Student support

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

Learning support

A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.

Learn more about our learning support services

Library

Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.

Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton

Jobs and study options

Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.

Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres

Contingent Study Arrangements

Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.

Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.

Support for personal issues

We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.

Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you

Disability support

Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.

Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors

Counselling services

We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.

Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

Nationally Recognised Training

This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

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