Certificate II in Horticulture
Sorry, this course is not available for international students.
If you are a local student you may be eligible.
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Overview
6 month full time
February, July
February
Cultivate a career with a Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416
If you’re interested in a hands-on, outdoors career that combines environmental responsibility with giving people joy, you’d love a career in horticulture. Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416 is a practical qualification that will kickstart your career. Australia’s horticulture industry is worth almost $9 billion and continues to have strong growth. This course provides skills necessary for employment in the industry, and a solid foundation for future horticultural qualifications.
An ideal entrance into the industry
Intended as an entry level course, the Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416 provides you with a broad range of knowledge and skills, including plant recognition, pest and weed control, machinery and equipment operation, irrigation systems, construction of retaining walls, aggregate paths, paving and turf maintenance. You’ll train at our purpose-built facilities, featuring landscape and garden workshops, soils laboratories, computer laboratories, specialised libraries and extensive gardens for true-to-life practical training. Melbourne Polytechnic has developed this qualification with industry bodies, Landscaping Victoria and the Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria, to ensure that you graduate with job ready skills meeting strict industry standards.
Plant the seeds for your future career
Once you’ve successfully completed the Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416, you might find employment as a worker for landscaping companies, working in the public and private sector. You can further your training in horticulture by specialising in Landscape Construction, Parks and Gardens or Sports Turf Management, to broaden your career opportunities. You might also work towards a Diploma of Horticulture or Diploma of Applied Horticultural Science.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416 take me?
Once you've successfully completed the Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416, you might find employment as a worker for landscaping companies, working in the public and private sector.
- Labourer
- Community Landscape Officer
- Landscape Gardener
- Groundsperson
Study Pathways
You can further your training in horticulture by specialising in Landscape Construction, Parks and Gardens or Sports Turf Management, to broaden your career opportunities:
- AHC30921 Certificate III in Landscape Construction (apprenticeship / non-apprenticeship)
- AHC31021 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens apprenticeship
- AHC31319 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management
- AHC30722 Certificate III in Horticulture
- AHC40416 Certificate IV in Horticulture
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
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Assessment Methods
A competency based course assessment is based on your ability to achieve unit outcomes. The assessment of competencies and methods include demonstration of skills, tests and assignments, folios and log books, oral activities, 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 |
| AHCIRG215 | Assist with low volume irrigation operations | Elective | 40 |
| AHCLSC201 | Assist with landscape construction work | Elective | 30 |
| AHCLSC202 | Construct low-profile timber or modular retaining walls | Elective | 50 |
| AHCLSC203 | Install aggregate paths | Elective | 20 |
| AHCLSC204 | Lay paving | Elective | 30 |
| AHCMOM203 | Operate basic machinery and equipment | Elective | 20 |
| AHCNSY202 | Care for nursery plants | Elective | 30 |
| AHCPCM201 | Recognise plants | Core | 40 |
| AHCPGD201 | Plant trees and shrubs | Elective | 20 |
| AHCPGD203 | Prune shrubs and small trees | Elective | 35 |
| AHCPMG201 | Treat weeds | Core | 40 |
| AHCPMG202 | Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders | Core | 30 |
| AHCSOL202 | Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing | Core | 30 |
| AHCTRF204 | Support turf establishment | Elective | 40 |
| AHCWHS201 | Participate in work health and safety processes | Core | 20 |
Attend an Information Session
Fees & Costs
| Free TAFE | Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $0 | $400 | $2000 | $5500 |
| Materials fee | $80 | $80 | $80 | $80 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $250 | $175 | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $330 | $655 | $2330 | $5830 |
| 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.
Fees explained
The State Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition (excluding Amenities Fees and Materials Fees) for students who are eligible for government subsidised training and enrol into one of the Priority listed course.
Free TAFE is available to eligible students for one course enrolment in a lifetime.
Free TAFE places are limited. Please call 1300 635 276 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
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. Items will include:
- your own safety boots (steel capped)
- Hi-Vis vest
- good quality secateurs
- sunscreen
- USB flash drive
- Notepad and writing materials
Reference material is also available for loan
Horticulture courses at Melbourne Polytechnic
Requirements
- basic literacy and numeracy skills are required
- you may contact the Horticulture and Landscaping departments to establish if this course is best suited to your needs
- if you would like to enrol in the VETiS program, you should contact the course coordinator for more details
Next Steps
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.
Complete the application form on the application form webpage.
You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans 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.
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Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.