Certificate III in Agriculture

Designed for those already working on a farm, this hands-on course will have you working your way through simulated workplaces and gaining on-the-job experience as you learn.
As part of this nationally recognised qualification, you will have the opportunity to visit a range of commercial farms and associated agricultural services businesses, build professional networks and learn from industry skilled trainers and guest speakers.

Establish a solid career pathway in the agricultural industry with our Certificate III in Agriculture.
Designed in consultation with the farming industry, you’ll gain valuable experience developing your knowledge and practical skills as you gain confidence and begin working independently. You’ll also gain essential knowledge and skills in animal health and nutrition, establishing pastures and crops, fertiliser management, stock fencing and more.
Work as a qualified farm hand in Gippsland’s thriving agricultural industry or go on to study a selection of generalist units in livestock, agronomy and practical farm skills.

This Kim, one of our Agriculture teachers

Local farmer and student Jake shares his experiences

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2023. 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.

Certificate III in Agriculture is a vocational farm or farm service qualification leading to further study at Certificate IV level qualifications and supervisory roles in the workplace.
Possible job roles vary across different industry sectors and may include:
- Farm or station hand
- Farm or station worker
- Livestock transport drive

Possible pathways may include but are not limited to:
AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture
AHC50116 Diploma of Agriculture.
Both of these qualifications are offered at TAFE Gippsland.

The qualification enables individuals to select a livestock production, cropping or livestock context as a job focus, or in the case of mixed farming enterprise, both cropping and livestock. Industry expects individuals with this qualification to preform task involving a broad range of skilled applications applied in a wide variety of context, which may involve application of some discretions and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

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

Mandatory entry requirements:

Students MUST be working on a Commercial Agricultural 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 agricultural 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.

Not applicable.

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)

Designed for those already working on a farm, this hands-on course will have you working your way through simulated workplaces and gaining on-the-job experience as you learn.
As part of this nationally recognised qualification, you will have the opportunity to visit a range of commercial farms and associated agricultural services businesses, build professional networks and learn from industry skilled trainers and guest speakers.

Establish a solid career pathway in the agricultural industry with our Certificate III in Agriculture.
Designed in consultation with the farming industry, you’ll gain valuable experience developing your knowledge and practical skills as you gain confidence and begin working independently. You’ll also gain essential knowledge and skills in animal health and nutrition, establishing pastures and crops, fertiliser management, stock fencing and more.
Work as a qualified farm hand in Gippsland’s thriving agricultural industry or go on to study a selection of generalist units in livestock, agronomy and practical farm skills.

This Kim, one of our Agriculture teachers

Local farmer and student Jake shares his experiences

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2023. 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.

Certificate III in Agriculture is a vocational farm or farm service qualification leading to further study at Certificate IV level qualifications and supervisory roles in the workplace.
Possible job roles vary across different industry sectors and may include:
- Farm or station hand
- Farm or station worker
- Livestock transport drive

Possible pathways may include but are not limited to:
AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture
AHC50116 Diploma of Agriculture.
Both of these qualifications are offered at TAFE Gippsland.

The qualification enables individuals to select a livestock production, cropping or livestock context as a job focus, or in the case of mixed farming enterprise, both cropping and livestock. Industry expects individuals with this qualification to preform task involving a broad range of skilled applications applied in a wide variety of context, which may involve application of some discretions and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

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

Mandatory entry requirements:

Students MUST be working on a Commercial Agricultural 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 agricultural 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.

Not applicable.

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)