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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 Parks and Gardens Apprenticeship

Code: AHC31021

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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Overview

Campus
Duration

3 years full time

Next Intake

February, July

Build a strong skill set

Invest in hands-on experience with the Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021 (Apprenticeship stream). Melbourne Polytechnic offers a course focused on strong technical skills and industry insight, as part of a three-year apprenticeship that will teach you the necessary skills to deliver advanced work practices within parks and gardens across Australia. Public parks and gardens are thriving, with over 6 million visitors to parks around Victoria a year. Learn the skills to maintain parks and gardens, while developing important environmental measures to ensure a healthy future.

Grow your knowledge and techniques

By completing a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021, you’ll learn from an array of experienced horticultural trade professionals in purpose-built facilities that simulate a real working environment. Our qualified teachers will share industry-based expertise in the maintenance of public parks, as well as residential and commercial properties. Learn outdoors, on engaging excursions to some of the beautiful parks and gardens around Victoria. Melbourne Polytechnic’s extensive industry connections and partnership with the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria, offers the unique experience to apply your new skills at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, granting your qualification immersive experience and a unique credibility with our Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021 (Apprenticeship stream).

Harvest a rewarding future

Completion of our Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021 (Apprenticeship stream) means you’ll have the opportunity for a wide range of work within the lush field of horticulture, including local council parks and gardens and landscape maintenance companies. You will also have the skills to be your own boss, and run your own horticultural and garden maintenance business.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate III in Parks and Gardens - Apprenticeship AHC31021 take me?

As a fully qualified horticulturist, you’ll have the opportunity for a wide range of work within the lush field of horticulture, including local council parks and gardens and landscape maintenance companies.

  • Community Landscape Officer
  • Landscape Gardener
  • Labourer
  • Groundsperson
  • Garden Designer
  • Community Facility Groundskeeper

Study Pathways

The Certificate III in Parks and Gardens AHC31021 can lead you to further study in into the Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40422 or Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421.

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
Portrait of Steve Mclean

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.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is based on your ability to achieve unit outcomes. Methods include 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
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals Elective 50
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals Elective 70
AHCIRG346 Operate pressurised irrigation systems Core 50
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment Core 40
AHCPCM303 Identify plant specimens Elective 80
AHCPCM305 Implement a plant nutrition program Elective 60
AHCPCM306 Provide information on plants and their culture Core 70
AHCPGD307 Implement a plant establishment program Core 80
AHCPGD309 Perform specialist amenity pruning Core 65
AHCPGD310 Implement a landscape maintenance program Core 100
AHCPMG301 Control weeds Core 70
AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders Core 80
AHCSOL304 Implement soil improvements for gardens and turf areas Core 60
AHCTRF309 Implement a grassed area maintenance program Core 60
AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes Core 50
AHCWRK309 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices Elective 50

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.

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $1390 $6950 $13250
Materials fee $155 $155 $155
Maximum annual amenities $175 $250 $250
Total payable $1720 $7355 $13655
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 fees differ for first and second year apprentices. Please ask the department when you enrol.

A list of equipment and reference material that you will need to provide will be distributed at the start of the course. Reference material is also available for loan from the Melbourne Polytechnic library.



You will need to provide your own personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots (steel capped), Hi Vis vest, sunscreen, as well as good quality secateurs, a USB flash drive, and writing materials.

Horticulture courses at Melbourne Polytechnic

Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421
Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield
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
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 Sports Turf Management - Apprenticeship AHC31319
Horticulture - Apprentice, Full Time - Fairfield
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 - Non-Apprenticeship AHC30921
Horticulture - Part Time - Fairfield
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.
Certificate III in Arboriculture - Climbing Arborist Traineeship AHC30820
Horticulture - Part Time, Traineeship - Fairfield
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.
Agricultural Chemical Skill Set AHCSS00074
Agriculture and Conservation, Horticulture - Full Time - Workplace and Industry, Fairfield
Free Tafe Agriculture and Conservation, Horticulture - Full Time - Workplace and Industry, Fairfield
The Agricultural Chemical Skill Set has been designed for people who require an understanding of farm chemicals. It is necessary to apply for the Agricultural Chemical Users Permit.

Requirements

  • Apprentices will be eligible for this course if they are employed in the Parks and Gardens industry and have a signed Training Agreement with the employer and Melbourne Polytechnic
  • contact the course coordinator (through an ECA) for further information on apprenticeship applications

Next Steps

Apprenticeships are coordinated via the Trade and Traineeship Support Unit (TSU) where you will provide details of your employer, who will register you with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

The AASN will register your training contract with EPSILON and you will be allocated an EPSILON number. Melbourne Polytechnic will then be able to enrol you into your training program.

If you have any questions about the application procedures for an apprenticeship, please contact the TSU.

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.