Certificate III in Agriculture
AHC30122
Length
2 Years (part time)
Study Mode
Workplace Training & Online Study
On Campus & Online
Certificate III in Agriculture - AHC30122
Course 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.
Passionate about the outdoors and agriculture? Our course provides a hands-on approach to essential skills in livestock production, cropping, and mixed farming.
Students will gain practical experience and learn how to navigate diverse agricultural settings with confidence. Master cutting-edge equipment, manage resources effectively, and tackle challenges with smart strategies. Participants will develop not just technical skills but also critical judgment and problem-solving abilities.
Students can choose to complete either an agriculture or viticulture stream (viticulture is only available as a traineeship).
This course is currently available as part of the Free TAFE scheme but is subject to eligibility requirements and may change in the future.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Roles graduates may be eligible for include:
- Farm or Station Hand
- Farm or Station Worker
- Livestock Transport Driver
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the AHC40122 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.
Online Campus
(1 commencing soon)
Agriculture - Open From: 30-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Thursday - 9.30am - 12.30pm - Workplace Training & Online Study
Shepparton - William Orr
(7 commencing soon)
Viticulture - Open From: 28-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Agriculture - Open From: 31-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Friday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - Workplace Training & Online Study
Agriculture - Open From: 30-Jan-2025 - School Based Apprentice or Trainee - Part time - Thursday - 9.30am - 12.30pm - Workplace Training & Online Study
Block 5 - Open From: 25-Jul-2025 - Part time - Friday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online
Block 6 - Open From: 29-Aug-2025 - Part time - Friday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online
Block 7 - Open From: 10-Oct-2025 - Part time - Friday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online
Block 8 - Open From: 14-Nov-2025 - Part time - Friday - 9.00am - 4.00pm - On Campus & Online
Wangaratta - Tone Road
(3 commencing soon)
Block 6 - Open From: 28-Aug-2025 - Part time - Thursday - 9.30am - 12.30pm - On Campus & Online
Block 7 - Open From: 09-Oct-2025 - Part time - Thursday - 9.30am - 12.30pm - On Campus & Online
Block 8 - Open From: 13-Nov-2025 - Part time - Thursday - 9.30am - 12.30pm - On Campus & Online
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 16 units: 2 core and 14 elective. Students can choose to complete either an agriculture or viticulture stream.
Core units
2 unit(s)
- AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
- AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
Elective units
22 unit(s)
- AHCBAC313 Establish pastures and crops for livestock production
- AHCBIO303 Apply biosecurity measures
- AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
- AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
- AHCINF306 Plan and construct an electric fence
- AHCINF307 Plan and construct conventional fencing
- AHCIRG338 Troubleshoot irrigation systems
- AHCIRG346 Operate pressurised irrigation systems
- AHCIRG347 Maintain pressurised irrigation systems
- AHCLSK344 Administer treatments to livestock
- AHCLSK347 Maintain livestock water supplies
- AHCLSK351 Implement animal health control programs
- AHCLSK353 Implement feeding plans for livestock
- AHCMOM202 Operate tractors
- AHCMOM207 Conduct front-end loader operations
- AHCMOM216 Operate side by side utility vehicles
- AHCMOM217 Operate quad bikes
- AHCMOM302 Perform machinery maintenance
- AHCPMG301 Control weeds
- AHCSOL406 Sample soils and interpret results
- FBPVIT2013 Recognise disorders and identify pests and diseases
- FBPVIT2015 Carry out basic canopy maintenance
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
On-campus weekly classes
Students are expected to:
- Attend classes on campus one day per week on Friday (7 hours per day including breaks).
- Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials research, revision, and completion of assessments
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
- Can attend the Farm Skills Day at Shepparton William Orr Campus if they are not working in the industry, to consolidate their practical skills and knowledge. This is optional.
General public blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Virtual weekly classes
Students are expected to:
- Attend one 3-hour session per week for a virtual class on a Thursday (9am-12pm).
- Attend weekly online support sessions, as required (3 hours).
- Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
- Students may be required to attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for a weekly Farm Skills Day, or practical training or assessment, depending on access to the required workplace resources.
- Attend a minimum of one field day excursion per year.
Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Virtual weekly classes
Students are expected to:
- Attend online virtual classes 3 hours per week (Thursday 9am -12 pm).
- 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.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
- Students may be required to attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for practical training or assessment depending on access to the required workplace resources.
Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
On-campus weekly classes
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus one day per week on Fridays (7 hours).
- 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.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
School-Based Apprenticeship Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend 1 day per week working in industry, where they will consolidate their learning.
- Attend a weekly 3-hour webinar on Thursdays.
- 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.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
- Students may be required to attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for practical training or assessment depending on access to the required workplace resources.
Traineeship with Viti blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend weekly 1.5-hour x 48 webinars throughout the year.
- Meet with the trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Consolidate their learning in their workplace.
- Spend approximately 5 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend the Shepparton William Orr Campus for 2 days to complete Farm Chemical Users Training. This is compulsory.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Written questions
- Observations/demonstrations
- Projects
- Portfolios
- Knowledge questions
- Case studies
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.
- 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.
Industry requirements
Students must:
- Have the physical stamina to carry out physical outdoor tasks.
- Be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions, enjoy working with animals, and enjoy 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 stationery (pens, pencils, rulers).
- Workboots.
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.
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 three different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - covers 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:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
- 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, induction 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
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.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Browse other courses
Certificate III in Dairy Production (AHC30224)
The Certificate III in Dairy Production is the recognised qualification to become a qualified Dairy Farmhand.
Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 and PAPP Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control (22661VIC)
Short Course in Minimising Risks in the Use of 1080 and PAPP Bait Products for Vertebrate Pest Control
Safe Use of Telehandlers (SA3TELEH25)
This short course provides the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a telehandler, including the use of attachments and maintenance.
