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.

Certificate III in Beekeeping

Code: AHC31818

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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Overview

Duration

1 year part time

Next Intake

May, June

We are excited to be delivering the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 in Bendigo in June 2024, and we're taking enrolments now!

As part of our ongoing commitment to Australia's beekeeping industry, we are running training from our beekeeping training truck at different regional locations each year. 

To find out more, click the apply now button and select Community Locations as your preferred campus.

Victoria's first Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 is only at Melbourne Polytechnic

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of beekeeping with our flexible and nationally recognised apiculture course. The Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 is the first of its kind in Victoria, offering a unique opportunity to acquire comprehensive skills and knowledge necessary for maintaining healthy bee colonies.

Throughout this course, you will learn essential aspects of honey bee (Apis) beekeeping, including:

  • Establishing beehives and apiaries for optimal productivity
  • Recognising and effectively managing pathogens that impact bees
  • Safely transporting live bees to various locations
  • Mastering the art of bee management for honey production
  • Providing crucial pollination services for agriculture and ecosystems

Who should enrol in this Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818?

The 36-week beekeeping course is designed for both commercial beekeepers and passionate amateur beekeepers. Whether you aspire to pursue beekeeping as a profession or simply nurture your love for these incredible creatures, this course equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge for success.

Experience practical learning at our Eden Park Training Centre:

Our beekeeping course emphasises immersive and practical learning. You will receive hands-on training at our Eden Park training centre, located in Melbourne's north. Select components of the course are delivered online, allowing for accessible learning.

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to become a skilled beekeeper and make a positive impact on the environment and agricultural systems.

Enrol in our Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 and embark on a fascinating journey into the world of bees!

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 take me?

This course prepares the learner for employment in commercial beekeeping enterprises. Graduates will have enhanced general knowledge and skills for recreational beekeeping.

Study Pathways

After completing the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818, you may undertake training in higher level qualifications.
A photograph of honey bees working in a hive

Exciting news for Bendigo beekeeping enthusiasts!

We are excited to be delivering the Certificate III in Beekeeping AHC31818 in Bendigo in May 2024, and we're taking enrolments now!

As part of our ongoing commitment to Australia's beekeeping industry, we are running training from our beekeeping training truck at different regional locations each year. 

To find out more, click the apply now button and select Community Locations as your preferred campus.

Start your application

Course Details

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 / Self-paced online learning

A blend of scheduled on-campus and virtual learning, with additional activities completed outside of the classroom through Melbourne Polytechnic’s digital platforms. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Class Schedule

Online classes are conducted one night per week from 6pm to 9pm.

Practical classes are delivered in 8 blocks on site at Northern Lodge at Eden Park campus Friday – Sunday)

  • Semester 1 (1 block every 4-5 weeks x 4)
  • Semester 2 (1 block every 4-5 weeks x 4)

Assessment Methods

Observation, Written Assessment, Oral Questioning.

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
AHCBEK203 Open and reassemble a beehive Core 20
AHCBEK205 Prepare and use a bee smoker Core 10
AHCBEK206 Assemble and maintain beekeeping components Core 25
AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms Core 15
AHCBEK302 Manipulate honey bee brood Core 30
AHCBEK303 Re-queen a honey bee colony Core 30
AHCBEK304 Remove a honey crop from a hive Core 20
AHCBEK310 Process raw wax into moulds Elective 20
AHCBEK311 Transport bee hives by road to new apiary site Core 50
AHCBEK312 Extract honey Core 20
AHCBEK313 Manage pests and disease within a honey bee colony Core 60
AHCBEK405 Select and establish an apiary site Core 50
AHCBEK408 Provide bee pollination services Elective 20
AHCBEK409 Rear queen bees Elective 50
AHCBIO303 Apply biosecurity measures Elective 100
AHCPCM204 Recognise plants Elective 40
AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes Core 50
AHCWRK306 Comply with industry quality assurance requirements Core 40
Bees sitting on an artificial beehive frame while being handled by apiculturist.

Industry-backed training

Help your employees embark on a journey into the world of beekeeping with our nationally recognised apiculture course.

Download the flyer

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $600 $3000 $8200
Materials fee $220 $220 $220
Maximum annual amenities $175 $250 $250
Total payable $995 $3470 $8670
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 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.

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.

Materials to cover cost of beekeeping suit. These will be held onsite for practical classes and remain the property of the student after the course for use in the industry.

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Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422
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Nurture your interest in all things green by a gaining a well sought after qualification with our Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422. 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 IV in Landscape Design AHC42421
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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.

Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

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.

A teacher wearing a Melbourne Polytechnic lanyard, teaching students outdoors. An overlay text reads "Victorian Training Awards - Winner, Large Training Provider of the Year 2024"

We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year

Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

You are currently looking at information for local students

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