Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

This qualification is ideal for people who want to kickstart or advance a rewarding green career that's specialised in ecosystem management or conservation. It can be a great option if you're looking for a fulfilling career where you can be involved in protecting our planet's ecosystems — for example, if you're interested in becoming a Park Ranger, Natural Resource Manager or Ecological Consultant. This course is also a good fit if you're a graduate of the Certificate IV in Environmentally Sustainable Management or Diploma of Sustainable Operations, as it will extend your green skills in areas such as ecological restoration, community engagement and ecosystem management.

You'll complete a series of assessments for this qualification. Each assessment will involve a number of short answer written knowledge questions, and a number of practical tasks. For example, the practical tasks may require you to assess the effectiveness of an ecological management plan or design a comprehensive project for restoring an ecosystem. You may use case studies for your practical tasks. Or, if you're already working in sustainability, you may be able to use your own workplace. Your Trainer will be on hand to guide you through each assessment.

The Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management has been designed to be completed within one year. If you study in-person at ACBI's Sydney CBD campus, you'll complete this course over a series of 4 terms, each consisting of 9 weeks. If you are a domestic student, you may choose to study this course in a 100% online, flexible format and will receive a suggested study plan guiding you through completing the course in 1 year (50 weeks). However, it is not uncommon for domestic students to complete their qualifications in 9 months or less.

Both courses focus on sustainability, but they have some key differences. The Advanced Diploma is focused on building skills in managing and restoring ecosystems, and can lead to careers as a Park Ranger, Natural Resource Manager or Ecological Consultant. It can be completed within 1 year. The Diploma of Sustainable Operations, on the other hand, centres on helping businesses reduce and manage their environmental impacts — developing skills such as creating sustainability business cases, calculating a business's carbon footprint and navigating environmental reporting requirements. The Diploma of Sustainable Operations takes 1.5 years (18 months) to complete. If you'd like to develop a range of sustainability skills, you may wish to study a Diploma of Sustainable Operations followed by an Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management.

Yes, pairing the Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management with another qualification can be an excellent way to boost your sustainability skills and strengthen your career opportunities. You can apply to study two or more courses at ACBI, studying one after the other, by selecting your desired courses when completing your online application form. ACBI recommends considering packaging this Advanced Diploma with the Certificate IV in Environmentally Sustainable Management, Diploma of Sustainable Operations, or Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.