Horticulture
Certificate III in
Overview
Fairfield, Epping
12 months full time / 2 years part time
12 months full time / 2 years part time
Direct entry - No requirements. Trainees to have a signed Training Agreement with your employer and Melbourne Polytechnic.
Ongoing, February, July
February
Expand your green thumb
Nurture your love of greenery with the Certificate III in Horticulture at Melbourne Polytechnic. Working within a lush and broad field, you will receive state-of-the-art hands-on training in modern horticultural skills. With over 6.54 million tonnes of horticultural products produced within Australia every year, you’ll enter a booming industry at the completion of your diploma. You’ll learn everything you need in order to develop your knowledge of the flora and fauna maintenance of which continues to be pivotal in conserving the environment for years to come.
Highly regarded experience and expertise
You’ll take part in important training from an array of experienced trade professionals in our industry replicated working environments. Melbourne Polytechnic is equipped with state of the art purpose-built horticulture workshops, run by qualified, industry-based teachers who will share industry insights and expertise throughout the course. You’ll learn the fundamentals of plant recognition and nutrition, pest, disease and weed control, critical skills in maintaining plant life. Melbourne Polytechnic’s extensive industry connections and partnership with the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria, will allow you to apply your new skills at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, granting your qualification invaluable real-world experience and a unique credibility.
Flourishing career opportunities
As a fully qualified horticulturist, you’ll have the advantage to work within a range of horticultural practices. An array of opportunities to maintain your love for greenery awaits, including landscape construction and design, contract maintenance, consultancy services, or management of botanic gardens and horticultural enterprises.
Career Pathways
Where will this take me
Successful completion of this traineeship will see you more accomplished in your job and may make you eligible for other opportunities in the Horticultural field- Community Landscape Officer
- Nursery Plant Propagator
- Landscaping Business Operator
- Community Facility Groundskeeper
- Nursery Maintenance Assistant
- Groundsperson
- Nursery Retail Salesperson
- Landscape Gardener
- Labourer
Pathways
This qualification may lead to further study - the Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40416, or other streams, and/or into the Diploma of Horticulture AHC50416Akolda Bil
"It means future to me. All I was doing before this was working in small jobs, or jobs that aren't going to get me far in life, so studying is a huge deal to me. It got me where I am now.... Studying gave me a path to go somewhere in my life."
Course Details
How you learn
- Practical Work
- Blended online
- Classroom
Class Schedule
Monday and Thursday 5pm-9pm part time evening over 3 years.
Trainee one day per week over 3 years.
Full time 4 days per week - Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30pm
Assessment Methods
Competency assessment based on your abilities to achieve unit outcomes. There will also be workplace delivery and assessment of competencies and demonstration of skills, tests and assignments, folios, oral activities, and third party reports
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 |
| AHCCHM303 | PREPARE AND APPLY CHEMICALS | Core | 70 |
| AHCCHM304 | TRANSPORT AND STORE CHEMICALS | Core | 50 |
| AHCIRG306 | TROUBLESHOOT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS | Core | 50 |
| AHCMOM304 | OPERATE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT | Core | 40 |
| AHCNAR303 | IMPLEMENT REVEGETATION WORKS | Core | 80 |
| AHCPCM301 | IMPLEMENT A PLANT NUTRITION PROGRAM | Core | 60 |
| AHCPCM302 | PROVIDE INFORMATION ON PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE | Core | 70 |
| AHCPCM303 | IDENTIFY PLANT SPECIMENS | Core | 80 |
| AHCPGD301 | IMPLEMENT A PLANT ESTABLISHMENT PROGRAM | Core | 80 |
| AHCPGD303 | PERFORM SPECIALIST AMENITY PRUNING | Core | 65 |
| AHCPGD304 | IMPLEMENT A LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM | Core | 100 |
| AHCPMG301 | CONTROL WEEDS | Core | 70 |
| AHCPMG302 | CONTROL PLANT PESTS, DISEASES AND DISORDERS | Core | 80 |
| AHCSOL303 | IMPLEMENT SOIL IMPROVEMENTS FOR GARDEN AND TURF AREAS | Core | 60 |
| AHCTRF302 | ESTABLISH TURF | Core | 60 |
| AHCWHS301 | CONTRIBUTE TO WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCESSES | Core | 50 |
Recognition of Prior Learning
You can seek Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where your work experience or qualifications of an advanced and related nature have been undertaken. RPL is individually assessed based on evidence submitted by the student to the teaching department. Applications for RPL will be assessed by relevant Melbourne Polytechnic trainers, academics and where appropriate, industry experts.
Studying at Melbourne Polytechnic
Student Services
We're here to make sure that your transition to student life at Melbourne Polytechnic is fun and as easy as possible
Services & support
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Our Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic (SLAM) team run the fun stuff on campus: things like movie nights, bake sales, cook-offs, career expos, spring markets, and much more.
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Specialist Training Facilities
Melbourne Polytechnic has a large range of specialist training facilities in health and community, construction, hospitality, education and more.
Specialist Training Facilities
Scholarships
One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be 'top in your class' to apply. Melbourne Polytechnic scholarships are awarded on a range of criteria such as merit, your area of study and personal circumstances.
ScholarshipsFees & Costs
Free TAFE
Free TAFE places are limited for this course in 2020. Please call 9269 8400 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for priority courses cover the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
Please note that 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.
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.
To find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy we recommend you contact us help you find out.
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 1 November 2019. 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 and Amenities cost
A list of equipment and reference material (which you will need to provide) will be distributed at the start of the course. Reference material is also available for loan in our libraries. Necessary items may include your own:- safety boots (steel capped)
- gloves
- sun hat
- Hi-Vis vest
- good quality secateurs
- sunscreen
- USB flash drive
- one textbook and suitable writing materials
Attend an Info Session
Requirements
- Direct entry - no formal entry requirements
- Traineeship - you will be eligible for this course if you are employed in the horticultural industry and have a signed Training Agreement with your employer and Melbourne Polytechnic
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. 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 of our Skills and Job Centres, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about TPPs here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 03 9269 8400 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
Application procedure
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