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Personalised for LOCAL students.

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.

International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Overview Career Pathways Course details Fees & Costs Requirements Next Steps

Vet Courses

Diploma of Arboriculture

Code: AHC50520

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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To find a course that's available to international students, please visit the search page:

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Overview Career Pathways Course details Fees & Costs Requirements Next Steps

Overview

Campus

Fairfield

Duration

2 years full time

Requirements

Click here to see entry requirements

Requirements

Click here to see entry requirements

Next Intake

Rolling

Next Intake

February, March

Branch out while studying a Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520.

If you are passionate about sustainability and the health of our trees, seek out a career in arboriculture.

Our qualified, professional teachers will train you in identifying and selecting trees, diagnosing and treating their health, and preparing tenders and report.

Be guided by teachers with deep roots in the industry.

Learn from skilled arborists in Melbourne who are industry connected, have expertise and up-to-date knowledge about an ever-changing field. Our Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520 allows students to access industry-standard equipment and facilities such as our Yarra Edge Nursery.

You will take part in theory-based and practical field-based learning, preparing you to be job-ready for your career as an arborist. Melbourne Polytechnic’s strong industry links to the Victorian Tree Industry Organisation ensures that the skills you acquire with us will reflect the needs of the industry.

Grow into a dynamic new career as an Arborist.

Qualified and skilled arborists are in high demand throughout Australia. At the conclusion of our Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520, you could branch out into a number of careers with help from our Skills and Job Centre. Explore opportunities such as researching urban development benefits or completing risk assessments for councils.

Career Pathways

Where will the Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520 take me?

Complete our Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520, become an arborist, and work anywhere in the country. Spend your days in botanical gardens and large parks or pursue contract and consultancy roles, such as an urban planning specialist or timber analyst.

Arborist

Study Pathways

The Diploma of Arboriculture AHC50520 may lead to further study including degrees in science and horticulture.

“The day I walked in to Melbourne Polytechnic, everything turned around. Studying here gave me confidence, and opened doors for my future and for my work career.”

Steve Mclean

Arboriculture Graduate

Course Details

Delivery methods

Practical Work

How you will study

Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.

On-campus / Virtual classroom

A blend of both face-to-face and virtual learning with scheduled classes taking place on-campus and in virtual classrooms. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Class Schedule

1 day per week over 2 years.

Assessment Methods

A competency based course assessment is built on your ability to achieve unit outcomes. Assessment methods include demonstration of skills, tests and assignments, folios, oral activities and third party reports. At the commencement of each unit you will be given an outline of what is to be covered in that unit and how the unit will be assessed

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code	Subject	Elective	Hours
AHCARB408	Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation	Core	100
AHCARB508	Identify, select and specify trees	Core	120
AHCARB509	Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report	Core	90
AHCARB510	Specify and audit tree work	Core	100
AHCARB511	Prepare arborist reports	Core	90
AHCARB513	Examine and assess trees	Core	120
AHCARB514	Diagnose tree diseases	Core	120
AHCWRK507	Implement professional practice	Elective	100
AHCWRK508	Interpret legislation	Core	100
AHCWRK509	Provide specialist advice to clients	Elective	100

Attend an Information Session

Our information sessions will give you an in-depth look at your chosen area of study and answer your questions about your course.

Find an information session

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees

	Government subsidised fee	Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee	$6800	$16200
Materials fee	$50	$50
Maximum annual amenities	$250	$250
Total payable	$7100	$16500

Per year	$0
Per semester	$0

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.

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

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

Materials

Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.

Fees explained

The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.

Check your eligibility here.

The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.

Check your eligibility here.

Additional expenses

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:

$250 for full fee-paying students; and
$175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.

Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.

A list of equipment and reference material that needs to be purchased by you will be distributed early in the course.

Other Horticulture Courses

Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40416

Horticulture - Full Time - Fairfield

VTAC Horticulture - Full Time - Fairfield

Nurture your interest in all things green by a gaining a well sought after qualification with our Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40416. Be the one dispensing advice on plant suitability, health and design, and become the expert this ever changing and dynamic industry needs – a rewarding career awaits.

Certificate II in Floristry (Assistant) SFL20115

Horticulture - Full Time, Pre Apprentice - Fairfield

Develop your trade skills and let your creativity bloom. The Certificate II in Floristry SFL20115 (Assistant) is a national qualification teaching you skills to work as a florist in a shop or studio. Put your love of flowers, creative flair and eye for detail to work with a beautiful and rewarding career in Floristry.

Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30722

Horticulture - Full Time, Part Time - Epping, Fairfield

Free Tafe Horticulture - Full Time, Part Time - Epping, Fairfield

Nurture your interest in all things green with a Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30722. A flourishing and rewarding career is bound to follow.

Certificate III in Sports Turf Management - Apprenticeship AHC31319

Horticulture - Apprentice, Full Time - Fairfield

Your specialist career starts here with our Certificate III in Sports Turf Management AHC31319 (Apprenticeship). Use your eye for excellence in the world of sports, and your interest in horticulture and facilities management to excel in your career of Sports Turf Management.

Certificate III in Landscape Construction - Apprenticeship AHC30921

Horticulture - Apprentice, Part Time - Fairfield

Do you enjoy practical work outdoors and are interested in landscaping or the horticulture trade? Our Certificate III in Landscape Construction AHC30921 apprenticeship could be the right course for you.

Certificate III in Arboriculture - Climbing Arborist Non-traineeship AHC30820

Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield

Do you have a special connection to trees and an interest in urban environments? Combine your love of the outdoors and passion for conserving nature with a fascinating career as a climbing arborist.

Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421

Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield

The Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421 is committed to plotting your landscape future. Take the next important step in a landscape construction or horticulture career and advance your skills with a focus on marketing, costing and design.

Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818

Horticulture - Full Time, Part Time - Community Locations, Northern Lodge at Eden Park

Immerse yourself in the world of beekeeping with our flexible apiculture course, the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818.

Certificate III in Arboriculture - Climbing Arborist Traineeship AHC30820

Horticulture - Part Time, Traineeship - Fairfield

Do you have a special connection to trees and an interest in urban environments? Combine your love of the outdoors and passion for conserving nature with a fascinating career as a climbing arborist.

Certificate III in Landscape Construction - Non-Apprenticeship AHC30921

Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield

The non-apprenticeship stream of our qualification in Landscape Construction AHC30921 will help build and grow your future. Take your career to the great outdoors by creating serene spaces of gardening bliss, and build your skills in the landscaping or horticulture industry.

Requirements

To commence this qualification an individual must have achieved the following units of competency or their equivalent:

AHCARB314 Implement a tree maintenance program
AHCARB316 Perform pruning operations
AHCARB323 Identify trees

If you need to achieve one or all of these units of competency, please enquire.

Academic: Australian Year 11 equivalency
English: Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band below 5.0, Pearson PTE Academic 42 overall with no individual communicative skill below 36, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.

Next Steps

We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.

The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.

You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.

It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.

Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend our Skills and Job Centre, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.

For Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan. Read more about them here.

If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.