Certificate IV in Horticulture
AHC40422
Certificate IV in Horticulture - AHC40422
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.
This course is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their technical expertise and leadership abilities in the horticulture industry. This qualification prepares graduates for supervisory roles and provides a pathway for further advanced studies and career development.
Participants will gain in-depth knowledge in advanced plant care and management, learning key principles related to plant biology, health, and advanced cultivation techniques. This will be paired with key project management skills to enable graduates to plan, execute, and manage horticultural projects, including budgeting and resource allocation.
Other key learning areas include irrigation and water management, pest and disease control, soil health, and landscape design, with a focus on sustainable practices.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Graduates may be eligible for supervisory positions within a production horticulture or viticulture enterprise including:
- Horticultural Supervisor.
- Senior Gardener.
- Landscape Project Manager.
- Irrigation Specialist.
- Pest Management Technician.
- Nursery Manager.
- Horticultural Consultant.
Further study
After graduating, students might like to undertake further study with:
- AHC50422 Diploma of Horticulture Management
- AHC50324 Diploma of Production Horticulture
- AHC50621 Diploma of Landscape Design
- AHC51524 Diploma of Viticulture
- AHC60422 Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
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.
Wangaratta - Tone Road
(1 commencing soon)
Viticulture - Starts On: 13-Jul-2026 - Workplace - Part time - Various - 9.00am - 4.30pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 06-Jul-2026
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 12 units: 4 core and 8 elective.
Core units
4 unit(s)
- AHCPCM406 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program
- AHCPGD404 Plan a plant establishment program
- AHCWHS402 Maintain workplace health and safety processes
- AHCWRK410 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
Elective units
13 unit(s)
- AHCBIO301 Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest
- AHCBUS408 Operate within a budget framework
- AHCIRG437 Schedule irrigations
- AHCORG411 Manage organic soil improvement
- AHCPCM404 Recommend plants and cultural practices
- AHCPHT312 Implement a crop regulation program
- AHCPHT508 Develop a grape production plan
- AHCPMG409 Implement a pest management plan
- AHCSOL406 Sample soils and interpret results
- AHCSOL505 Monitor and manage soils for production
- AHCWRK404 Implement quality assurance procedures
- AHCWRK409 Supervise work routines and staff performance
- BSBHRM415 Coordinate recruitment and onboarding
Attendance & commitment
Workplace blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend all workshops on campus (19 days in total).
- Year 1: Workshop 1 (1 day x 7.5 hours), Workshop 2 (3 days x 7.5 hours), Workshop 3 (4 days x 7.5 hours).
- Year 2: Workshop 4 (6 days x 7.5 hours), Workshop 5 (4 days x 7.5 hours) and Workshop 6 (1 day x 7.5 hours).
- Be employed in a horticultural enterprise for a minimum of 3 days per week (22.8 hours).
- Attend workplace visits 6 times over the duration of the course, following the delivery of each cluster to undertake assessment of practical skills.
- Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- Consolidate skills in the workplace.
General public blended delivery | 3 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend all residentials on campus at Tone Road, Wangaratta & timetabled online sessions as outlined below, totalling 13 days (10 on campus days + 3 virtual days) over the duration of the course.
- Year 1 in Oct for 3 days (2 days x 7.5 hours on campus + 1 day 7.5 hours virtual class)
- Year 2 in May for 5 days (4 days x 7.5 hours on campus + 1 day 7.5 hours virtual class)
- Year 2 in Oct (2 days x 7.5 hours on campus)
- Year 3 in May for 3 days (2 days x 7.5 hours on campus + 1 day 7.5 hours virtual class)
- Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- Be employed in a viticultural enterprise for a minimum of 2 days per week or have regular access to a vineyard.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Knowledge questions
- Portfolios
- Simulated demonstrations
- Observations
- Projects
- Reports
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.
- Workplace students must be employed within the orchard/tree cropping (cherries, apples and pears primarily) industry for a minimum of 3 days/week. Students are required to provide an ABN from their place of work on enrolment.
- General public students must be over 18 years of age & must be either working in the Viticulture industry for a minimum of 2 days/week or have regular access to a vineyard.
Inherent requirements
- Students will be required to have the physical stamina to undertake a variety of outdoor practical activities and tasks.
- Working in this industry may involve seasonal, with some peak activity periods during the year based on the growing schedule. Extended working hours during these peak periods, which may vary depending on the employer and also the growing region, the delivery and assessment of this course will take into account these variations.
- Significant experience in the industry would be advantageous.
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).
Enrolment
How to Apply
- Explore – Review the course details to check the fit for your goals. Our team is here from 8:30 – 5pm Monday to Friday on 1300 468 233 if you’d like to talk it through.
- Prepare – Gather any documents you may need, like photo ID, concession or eligibility evidence, residency or visa details, prior study or credit evidence, or your USI (we can help you find or create this).
- Apply – Click Apply Now and complete your application – its quick and easy.
- Skills Check – Some courses include a language and numeracy evaluation so we can tailor the right support before you start.
- Offer – We’ll review your application, contact you if we require anything else, and send you an offer. To secure your place, accept your offer and make any required pre-commencement payment.
- Welcome to GOTAFE – We’ll finalise your enrolment and share everything you need to feel ready. You may be asked to attend an online or in person induction session where we’ll outline the support available to you from day one.
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.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) does not apply to non-accredited short courses.
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.
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 with enrolment commencing in 2026 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:
- 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:
- 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. 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.
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.
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