• On Campus

Course Overview

Code:
AHC30224
Course Type:
Accredited course
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
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Intakes

Course Duration:
2 years
Commencing in:
  • 2025

2025 Intake

Intake Date Campus Attendance Days
03/02/2025 Warragul Monday 1:00pm-3:00pm
03/02/2025 GTec Monday 1:00pm-3:00pm
03/02/2025 Leongatha Monday 1:00pm-3:00pm

About this course

If you’re looking to start a career in the dairy industry or you’d simply like to improve your existing skills, our Certificate III in Dairy Production will get you where you want to be.
With a focus on hands-on learning as you work your way through simulated workplaces and on-the-job experience, you’ll gain valuable experience working on farms as you gain confidence and begin working independently – learning how to establish pastures and crops for livestock, transport and prepare chemicals, coordinate milking operations, construct fencing, create feeding plans, respond to emergencies and more.

Maximise your career in in the dairy industry where qualified people are in high demand.
On successful completion of the Certificate III in Dairy Production you’ll will be able to work as a farm hand in the dairy production industry, undertaking a wide range of skilled work on a dairy farm, caring and monitoring health of livestock, overseeing the harvesting of livestock milk and maintaining milking equipment and facilities to ensure maximum and high-quality production.
Enhance your skillset and increase your employment opportunities by going on to study a Certificate IV in Agriculture or a Certificate IV in Agribusiness. Whatever you decide, we’ll be here to help with all of those decisions when the time comes.

This Kim, one of our Agriculture teachers

Local farmer and student Jake shares his experience


Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2024. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Career Opportunities

This qualification provides an occupational outcome in the dairy industry. The dairy industry expects that graduates from this qualification will be able to preform a range of tasks associated with a person preforming the job of a dairy farmhand.

Opportunities for Further Study

Possible pathways may include but are not limited to:
AHC40122 Certificate IV in Agriculture
AHC50122 Diploma of Agriculture
Both of these qualifications are offered at TAFE Gippsland.

Skills or Knowledge gained

The participants will be involved in a range of different roles on the farm, performing various tasks while working under limited supervision. Through the duration of the course and work on farms, individuals will build their capability to work independently in some situations and where some decision making maybe required.

Entry Requirements

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: No

Mandatory entry requirements:

Students MUST be working on a Commercial Dairy Farm
Profile / Fulltime Trainee Students: Minimum age of 17 years (this is not a training package requirement). Profile students in Victoria must be 17 years of age or older and not enrolled at secondary school to be eligible to enrol in this qualification.
School Based Apprentice / Trainee (SBAT): Must be 15 years or older to undertake a SBAT. SBATs must be 16 years of age or older to be operate machinery such as Tractors, according to manufacturer specifications.

Recommended entry Requirements:

To enter this course individuals must be employed to work on a Commercial dairy farm.
This qualification may be accessed by direct entry, often as a part time or full time traineeship, including School Based Trainee.
Applicants wishing to undertake the qualification are required to complete a full Language, Literacy & Numeracy assessment, as well as a Pre training Review
Applicants are also required to complete a interview with one of the trainers before enrolment can proceed into this course

Limitations to course Entry:

Some units of competency included in this qualification may require the ability to operate machinery such as tractors , agricultural front end loaders some manufacturer's specifications require that require operators / students to be a minimum of 16 years of age to operate.
Students must have access to a reliable internet connection.
Students must have access to a computer or tablet that will support course work to be completed in our Learning Management System Moodle. We recommend that this also includes a headset (integrated microphone and earphones).
Students working within the agricultural industry must be physically fit, this includes the ability to bend and lift. Students must be able to spend considerable time on their feet throughout their working day.

Minimum Industry Requirement

Not applicable.

Licensing/Regulatory Requirements

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

An ACUP (agricultural chemical users permit) is a permit issued to a person, which provides authority to purchase specified 'restricted supply' chemicals and use specified 'restricted use' chemicals in Victoria.
You are required to undertake relevant training before you can apply for and hold an ACUP.
ACUPs do not authorise a person to use agricultural chemicals on another person’s property, crop or commodity for a fee or reward (i.e. contractors).
To be eligible to apply for a "STANDARD ACUP" the minimum Training requirement is the successful completion of a course in AgVet chemical use (or equivalent) that includes the units of competency:
AHCCHM307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases (previously AHCCHM303); and AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals.
On successful completion of these units of competency individuals can use their statement of results / attainment to apply for a Standard ACUP through Agriculture Victoria online at https://chemical.agriculture.vic.gov.au/ (additional fees are payable to apply for this permit)

Qualifications and Recognition - 2025

Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate III in Dairy Production.

Work Placement - 2025

Does this course require placement?: No

Further Information - 2025

Fees

Fees and charges Government subsidised concession Government subsidised Full-fee paying student
Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) $445.20 $2,226.00 $15,476.00
Materials fee* (GST exempt) $285.00 $285.00 $285.00
Total $730.20 $2,511.00 $15,761.00
VET Student Loans

Not Applicable for this course

Help with fees

Sample course units

AHCBAC313 Establish pastures and crops for livestock production
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
AHCDRY303 Coordinate and monitor milking operations
AHCDRY304 Carry out routine service of milking equipment
AHCINF306 Plan and construct an electric fence
AHCINF307 Plan and construct conventional fencing
AHCLSK301 Administer medication to livestock
AHCLSK305 Maintain livestock water supplies
AHCLSK309 Implement animal health control programs
AHCLSK311 Implement feeding plans for livestock
AHCLSK318 Rear newborn and young livestock
AHCLSK330 Implement procedures for calving
AHCPCM305 Implement a plant nutrition program
AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
AHCWRK315 Respond to emergencies
AHCWRK320 Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
Assessment

The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.

You can expect that:

  • assessment methods are clear
  • assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
  • assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
  • educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.