Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30722

If you’re currently working in, or hoping to start a career in, horticulture and have a particular interest in managing large open spaces, including parks, sporting fields, playgrounds and other public spaces, then the Certificate III in Horticulture is for you.

Horticulture Information Session

Curious about studying Horticulture? Join our weekly Horticulture Q&A sessions to explore the course, get industry insights, and connect with your trainer. Ask your questions live and see if this path is right for you.

• Every Thursday at 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
• Microsoft Teams meeting: Join meeting now
• Meeting ID: 457 405 325 978 9
• Passcode: Nk3ik3Z

During your study, you will learn how to:

• Identify and select plants
• Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
• Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
• Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
• Transport and store chemicals
• Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
• Control weeds
• Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
• Operate pressurised irrigation systems
• Operate machinery and equipment
• Perform specialist amenity pruning
• Implement a plant nutrition program
• Identify plant specimen
• Prepare growing media
• Implement a propagation plan
• Provide information on plants and their culture
• Implement a plant establishment program

• Multiple choice quiz
• Written assessment
• Video
• Project
• Role play
• Work placement

The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 16 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 10 OR
• Successful completion of a nationally recognised Certificate II qualification or higher OR
• 2 years of work experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people (must be 18 years or older) to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• Basic computing skills
• Access to basic gardening equipment and PPE
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office
  
  

Students will be required to purchase the following:

• Botanical Field Guide by Stefan Mager and Geoff Burrows - $11.25 at Booktopia
  
  

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

Students who are not currently employed at an appropriate workplace can find a host organisation to undertake Work Placement. Depending on the nature of the individual workplace, the student may need to undertake this at more than one organisation.   

While undertaking training and assessment in industry, the student must abide by the policies and procedures of the workplace.  

The Supervisor and organisation needs to be able to provide the student with access to equipment and resources necessary to undertake roleplays and projects. 

Students will need to complete a Work Placement permission form which will be approved or rejected by the CSM (EM) based on its suitability for the course projects. 

The Host Organisation needs to be able to provide the student with access to equipment and resources necessary to undertake roleplays and projects.  

Students may require multiple Work Placements to complete projects. Examples of suitable Host Organisations, not limited to: 

• Botanical gardens 
• Plant nurseries 
• Horticultural research centres 
• Commercial landscaping companies or Businesses 
• Public gardens or parks 
• Wholesale or retail plant nurseries inc. Garden centres 
• Golf courses, sports fields 
• Propagation houses 
• Organic farms 
• Eco-friendly landscapers 

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Workplace Supervisors are required to have at least 2 years’ experience and hold a Certificate III in Horticulture or equivalent qualification. 

Open Colleges may need to obtain further evidence to show confirm that the supervisor has the skills and experience to sign off on the required tasks.