Diploma of Viticulture

AHC51524

Length

1 Year (full time)
3 Years (part time)

Location

Wangaratta - Tone Road

Study mode

Online Classes & Face to face Workshops

Overview

Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.

Introduction

This course is ideal for individuals seeking to advance their careers in the viticulture industry by gaining comprehensive skills in vineyard management and grape production. This qualification prepares graduates for a range of supervisory and managerial roles in vineyards and related businesses, emphasising sustainable and efficient practices.

Participants must be either self-employed or employed at a vineyard, or have the capability to work at a vineyard to meet the course requirements.

Students will learn:

  • Vineyard establishment and management.
  • Canopy management to optimise grape quality and yield.
  • Pest and disease management.
  • Irrigation and water management.
  • Grape production management, including monitoring vine health, managing nutrition, and planning harvests.
  • Sustainable viticulture practices to minimise environmental impacts and ensure long-term vineyard health.
  • Skills for managing the business aspects of vineyard operations, including budgeting, financial planning, and marketing.

Careers & study pathways

Where can this course take me?

Roles graduates may be eligible for include:

  • Vineyard Manager
  • Viticulturist
  • Irrigation Manager
  • Pest and Disease Manager
  • Vineyard Operations Manager
  • Vineyard Consultant
  • Grape Production Manager

Further study

After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, or related qualifications in agriculture, horticulture, or agribusiness.

Course details

Upcoming dates and times

Wangaratta - Tone Road

(1 commencing soon)

  • Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Part time - Various - 9.00am - 5.00pm - Online Classes & Face to face Workshops - Applications Close: 30-Jun-2025

Attendance & commitment

General public blended delivery | 3 years course length | Part-time study load

Students are expected to:

  • Spend 8-9 hours per week researching and completing assessments.
  • Attend residential schools as outlined below:
    • Year 1 in September for 4 consecutive days (8hrs per day).
    • Year 2 in May for 5 consecutive days (8hrs per day) + October for 4 consecutive days (8hrs per day).
    • Year 3 in May for 3 consecutive days (8hrs per day).
  • Attend weekly webinars for 1 hour (students will be provided with a webinar schedule).
  • Consolidate learnings while working within the industry.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods may include:

  • Knowledge questions
  • Portfolios
  • Simulated demonstrations
  • Projects
  • Role plays

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 10 units: 6 core and 4 elective.

Core units

6 units
  • AHCBAC509 Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and disease control in crops
  • AHCBIO303 Apply biosecurity measures
  • AHCBUS511 Manage enterprise staff requirements
  • AHCPHT508 Develop a grape production plan
  • AHCSOL505 Monitor and manage soils for production
  • AHCWAT503 Manage water systems

Elective units

7 units
  • AHCPCM406 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program
  • AHCPHT409 Develop a crop regulation program
  • AHCPHT507 Evaluate grapes for production
  • AHCPHT509 Evaluate wine
  • AHCPHT510 Manage a wine making process
  • AHCWHS402 Maintain workplace health and safety processes
  • AHCWRK410 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

Before you begin

Entry requirements

GOTAFE entry requirements

Before being accepted into this course applicants must:

  • 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.
  • Be employed in a vineyard for a minimum of 2 days per week (or owner-operator working on their own vineyard), and have access to a vineyard, vineyard manager, and vineyard records.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.

Industry requirements

  • Working in this industry may involve seasonal work, with some peak activity periods during the year based on the grape-growing schedule.
  • Workers can expect extended working hours during these peak periods, which may vary depending on the employer and also the grape-growing region. The delivery and assessment of this course will take into account these variations.
  • Individuals must have the physical stamina to carry out physical outdoor tasks such as pruning and soil sampling.

Student resources

Students must have:

  • Access to a computer.
  • Internet access.
  • Access to a device to create a video (for example a smartphone).

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

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
$6,372.00
2. Full Fee
$13,452.00
Course Materials
$354.00
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 2025 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.

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Jobs and study options

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

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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.

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Koorie Unit

The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.

Learn how the Koorie Unit can support your studies

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

Further information is provided at course induction.