About this course
Are you interested in a career in agriculture? This hands-on course will give you the skills to work in livestock production, cropping or mixed farming. You’ll learn to perform a wide variety of practical tasks that involve machinery, animals and plants.
In this training you will learn about:
- preparing land for agricultural crop production
- establishing and maintaining pastures and crops for livestock production
- crop harvesting
- preparing and applying chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
- keeping production records.
You can also choose elective subjects in your areas of interest, for example:
- animal health and wellbeing
- intensive production systems
- biosecurity and emergency response
- irrigation systems
- livestock transport
- agricultural machinery.
Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.
Completion of the course may lead to roles such as farm worker, station hand or livestock transport driver. You may choose to complete further study, for example a Certificate IV in Agriculture or a Diploma of Agriculture.
This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Contact your preferred course provider for course entry requirements.
This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.
To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
- a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
- an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.
Core units
Unit title Unit code Contribute to workplace health and safety processes AHCWHS302 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices AHCWRK320 Elective units
Unit title Unit code Handle horses safely ACMEQU212 Prepare to work safely around horses ACMEQU214 Load and unload horses ACMEQU217 Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter ACMEQU218 Implement a horse health program ACMEQU305 Provide routine care for horses ACMEQU306 Carry out basic hoof care procedures ACMEQU309 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing ACMGEN311 Provide nutritional requirements for animals ACMGEN312 Keep production records for a primary production business AHCAGB302 Artificially inseminate livestock AHCAIS304 Undertake preparation of land for agricultural crop production AHCBAC309 Conserve forage AHCBAC311 Test and grade grains and seeds on receival AHCBAC312 Establish pastures and crops for livestock production AHCBAC313 Prepare to receive grains and seeds AHCBAC314 Establish agricultural crops AHCBAC315 Maintain agricultural crops AHCBAC316 Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities AHCBAC317 Maintain pastures and crops for livestock production AHCBAC318 Work effectively in a biosecurity emergency response AHCBER302 Carry out emergency disease or pest control procedures on infected premises AHCBER305 Carry out movement and security procedures AHCBER306 Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest AHCBIO301 Apply biosecurity measures AHCBIO303 Use portable technology in the workplace AHCBUS302 Transport and store chemicals AHCCHM304 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases AHCCHM307 Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spaces AHCCHM308 Fumigate soil AHCCHM309 Conduct manual fumigation of vertebrate and invertebrate pests AHCCHM310 Operate compost processing plant, machinery and equipment AHCCOM304 Install drainage systems AHCDRG305 Implement a maintenance program for hydroponic systems AHCHYD303 Install hydroponic systems AHCHYD304 Implement property improvement, construction and repair AHCINF305 Plan and construct an electric fence AHCINF306 Plan and construct conventional fencing AHCINF307 Install and terminate extra low voltage wiring systems AHCINF308 Operate and maintain gravity fed irrigation systems AHCIRG336 Troubleshoot irrigation systems AHCIRG338 Operate pressurised irrigation systems AHCIRG346 Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work AHCLSK235 Handle horses safely for stock work AHCLSK236 Brand livestock AHCLSK237 Implement procedures for calving AHCLSK330 Conduct dropped ovary technique procedures for spaying cattle AHCLSK338 Mate and monitor reproduction of alpacas AHCLSK340 Coordinate artificial insemination and fertility management of livestock AHCLSK341 Prepare animals for parturition AHCLSK342 Prepare for and implement natural mating of livestock AHCLSK343 Administer treatments to livestock AHCLSK344 Carry out feedlot operations AHCLSK345 Carry out post-mortem examination of livestock AHCLSK346 Maintain livestock water supplies AHCLSK347 Coordinate and monitor production performance AHCLSK348 Euthanase livestock AHCLSK349 Identify and draft livestock AHCLSK350 Implement animal health control programs AHCLSK351 Implement feeding plans for intensive livestock production AHCLSK352 Implement feeding plans for livestock AHCLSK353 Monitor livestock production growing environments AHCLSK354 Prepare and present livestock for competition AHCLSK355 Exhibit livestock AHCLSK356 Rear newborn and young livestock AHCLSK357 Slaughter livestock AHCLSK358 Coordinate and monitor livestock transport AHCLSK359 Service and repair bores and windmills AHCLSK360 Transport farm produce or bulk materials AHCLSK361 Maintain and monitor feed stocks AHCLSK362 Care for and train working dogs AHCLSK363 Castrate livestock AHCLSK364 Mix and mill standard stockfeed AHCLSK365 Collect, store and administer colostrum AHCLSK366 Remove and facilitate reuse of effluent and manure from an intensive production system AHCLSK367 Comply with industry animal welfare requirements AHCLSK368 Monitor animals in intensive production systems AHCLSK369 Monitor pen condition and ration suitability AHCLSK370 Plan, prepare and conduct mulesing procedures AHCLSK371 Train, care for and ride horses for stock work AHCLSK372 Carry out post-shearing procedures AHCLSK373 Operate two wheel motorbikes AHCMOM201 Operate tractors AHCMOM202 Conduct grader operations AHCMOM206 Conduct front-end loader operations AHCMOM207 Operate and maintain chainsaws AHCMOM213 Operate side by side utility vehicles AHCMOM216 Operate quad bikes AHCMOM217 Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair AHCMOM301 Perform machinery maintenance AHCMOM302 Operate a telehandler AHCMOM303 Operate machinery and equipment AHCMOM304 Operate specialised machinery and equipment AHCMOM305 Ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorant AHCMOM306 Operate a cane harvester AHCMOM307 Operate broadacre and row crop harvest machinery and equipment AHCMOM308 Operate broadacre sowing machinery and equipment AHCMOM309 Operate land-forming machinery and equipment AHCMOM310 Operate precision control technology AHCMOM311 Operate row crop planting and seeding machinery and equipment AHCMOM312 Operate mobile irrigation machinery and equipment AHCMOM313 Transport machinery AHCMOM314 Operate chemical application machinery and equipment AHCMOM315 Refuel machinery or vehicle AHCMOM316 Operate tractors with attachments AHCMOM317 Identify plant specimens AHCPCM303 Implement a plant nutrition program AHCPCM305 Provide information on plants and their culture AHCPCM306 Coordinate community projects AHCPER330 Read and interpret property maps and plans AHCPER334 Plan a plant establishment program AHCPGD404 Implement a crop regulation program AHCPHT312 Implement a post-harvest program AHCPHT313 Harvest horticultural crops mechanically AHCPHT314 Establish horticultural crops AHCPHT315 Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting AHCPHT317 Control weeds AHCPMG301 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders AHCPMG302 Implement pest management strategies AHCPMG308 Apply poison baits for vertebrate pest control in rural and environmental landscapes AHCPMG312 Care for health and welfare of pigs AHCPRK311 Care for weaner pigs AHCPRK312 Perform tests for quality on seeds AHCSDT308 Prepare a working sample AHCSDT309 Identify seeds AHCSDT310 Perform advanced tests on seeds AHCSDT412 Handle and store seed subject to quarantine regulations AHCSDT413 Maintain a quarantine approved laboratory AHCSDT414 Prepare livestock for shearing AHCSHG308 Prepare combs and cutters for machine shearing AHCSHG309 Sample soils and interpret results AHCSOL406 Process planting seed AHCSPO309 Treat planting seed AHCSPO310 Handle, package and store commercial quantities of seed AHCSPO311 Sample seed before and after processing AHCSPO312 Access, extract and monitor water for irrigation AHCWAT303 Prepare wool based on its characteristics for classing AHCWOL309 Prepare facilities for shearing and crutching AHCWOL316 Press wool for a clip AHCWOL317 Perform shed duties AHCWOL318 Work effectively in industry AHCWRK212 Participate in workplace communications AHCWRK213 Collect samples for a rural production or horticulture monitoring program AHCWRK313 Monitor weather conditions AHCWRK314 Respond to emergencies AHCWRK315 Coordinate work site activities AHCWRK317 Comply with industry quality assurance requirements AHCWRK318 Handle bulk materials in a storage area AHCWRK319 Provide on-job training support AHCWRK321 Conduct site inspections AHCWRK322 Operate in isolated and remote situations AHCWRK323 Perform manual metal arc welding AUMGTW003 Perform gas metal arc welding AUMGTW005 Conduct aerial application operations using remote pilot aircraft systems AVIY0026 Operate multi-rotor remote pilot aircraft systems AVIY0027 Control remote pilot aircraft systems on the ground AVIY0052 Apply situational awareness in remote pilot aircraft systems operations AVIZ0005 Maintain financial records BSBFIN302 Process and maintain workplace information BSBINS201 Process customer complaints BSBOPS305 Use business software applications BSBTEC201 Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment BSBTEC202 Design and produce business documents BSBTEC301 Engage in workplace communication BSBXCM301 Demonstrate first attack firefighting equipment CPPFES2005 Participate in a HACCP team FBPFSY3002 Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs FBPFSY3003 Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads FWPCOT3325 Perform complex four wheel drive operations FWPCOT3329 Provide First Aid HLTAID011 Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site HLTAID013 Respond to wildfire PUAFIR204 Prevent injury PUAFIR210 Work in a team PUATEA001 Conduct telescopic materials handler operations RIIHAN309F Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations RIIMPO318F Conduct backhoe/loader operations RIIMPO319E Use hand and power tools RIISAM203E Cut, weld and bend materials RIISAM205E Enter and work in confined spaces RIIWHS202E Work safely at heights RIIWHS204E Maintain and use hand tools TLIB0012 Load and unload vehicles carrying special loads TLID0001 Care for livestock in transit TLID0002 Operate a boom type elevating work platform TLID3035 Process workplace documentation TLIE0002 Calculate mass, area and quantify dimensions TLIE0008 Prepare workplace documents TLIE3004 Apply fatigue management strategies TLIF2010 Interpret road maps and navigate pre-determined routes TLIH0005 Plan and navigate routes TLIH0006 Licence to operate a forklift truck TLILIC0003 Licence to drive a light rigid vehicle TLILIC2014 Licence to drive a medium rigid vehicle TLILIC2015 Licence to drive a heavy rigid vehicle TLILIC2016
Course providers
This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Charleston Road (Bendigo)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
Next steps:
- Visit Bendigo TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Mount Rowan (Rural Science) (Mount Rowan)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Federation University for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Northern Lodge at Eden Park (Eden Park)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit Melbourne Polytechnic for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Hamilton, Colac, Glenormiston (Glenormiston South)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit South West TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Leongatha, Warragul, Gtec (Sale)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit TAFE Gippsland for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Wodonga (West Wodonga)
Delivery modes: Flexible delivery, Part time on-campus
- Visit Wodonga TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Real time webinars combined with workplace practice
Delivery modes: Online/off-campus
- Visit 4 Up Skilling for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Hamilton
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus
- Visit Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Dookie College
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus
- Visit SCAA Shearer Woolhandler Training for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Horsham, Longerenong
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Skillinvest for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider