AHC30722 Certificate III in Horticulture
Do you love having the sun on your back and getting your hands dirty? Let us help you to forge a career in horticulture - one of Australia's fastest growing industries.
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Duration
Locations
Course overview
The Certificate III in Horticulture provides creative hands-on skills training and covers operational skills and knowledge such as planning plant displays, propagating, pruning, plant identification and operating machinery. While you make the most of our unique location, surrounded by the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and backing onto a large wetland area.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
Upon successful completion you will be qualified to work within the horticultural industry performing a wide range of gardening and horticulture tasks.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| $844 | $4,219 | $12,656 |
Material fees
This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $209.
Other study costs
Additional costs:
- Pens and pencils
- Ruler
- Notebook
- Internet and computers (PC or laptop)
- Software – MS Word or similar
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Closed in boots/shoes
- Rain jacket
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
Locations
Gillies St (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
Students will complete approximately 3 days per week of on-campus study. Classes will be held from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Trainees are required to attend campus in average one day per week.
Additional study time is required to complete assessments, classroom readings, and activities.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Transport and store chemicalsAHCCHM304
- Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseasesAHCCHM307
- Operate pressurised irrigation systemsAHCIRG346
- Operate machinery and equipmentAHCMOM304
- Identify and select plantsAHCPCM308
- Perform specialist amenity pruningAHCPGD309
- Control weedsAHCPMG301
- Control plant pests, diseases and disordersAHCPMG302
- Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areasAHCSOL304
- Contribute to workplace health and safety processesAHCWHS302
- Apply environmentally sustainable work practicesAHCWRK320
- Implement a paving projectAHCLSC316
- Erect timber structures and featuresAHCLSC318
- Maintain nursery plantsAHCNSY308
- Implement a propagation planAHCNSY313
- Provide information on plants and their cultureAHCPCM306
- Implement a plant establishment programAHCPGD307
- Plan and maintain plant displaysAHCPGD308
- Implement a grassed area maintenance programAHCTRF309
- Provide First AidHLTAID011
Entry requirements
Apprentices will need to be employed with a signed agreement. There are no formal entry requirements for non-apprenticeship students.
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LCB
- National course code
- AHC30722