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6 months – 18 months (varies by campus and study mode)
On campus. You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. 100% on campus time.
Full time / Part time / On campus / International · Full time: 3.5 days per week (Grovely, Mt Gravatt) | Full time: up to 3 days per week (Ipswich) | Full time: 2 days per week Monday, Tuesday (Ashmore) | Part time: 2 nights including 1 part day per week (Grovely) | Part time: 1 night per week 4pm–8pm Wednesday (Ashmore existing worker)
13 Jul 2026 | 27 Jan 2027 | Anytime (Ashmore part-time existing worker)
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
ASQA
Professional Body
Agricultural Industry Body / AgriFutures
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
VETASSESS
Course Content
Transport and store chemicals
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely transport, handle and store liquid and dry chemical formulations across a broad range of industry sectors.
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely prepare and apply chemicals for the control of pests, weeds and diseases, using general application equipment.
Operate pressurised irrigation systems
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to pre-start check, inspect, start up, operate, monitor and shut down pressurised irrigation systems.
Operate machinery and equipment
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain machinery and equipment.
Identify and select plants
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and select plants to suit plant use and work site, including identifying commonly used plants, describing plants and explaining plant cultural requirements.
Perform specialist amenity pruning
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform specialist amenity pruning, including preparing, undertaking and completing amenity pruning work using specialist pruning techniques.
Control weeds
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and coordinate weed control activities using appropriate strategies to provide effective, economic control while minimising environmental damage.
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and assess the effect to plants of plant pests, diseases and disorders and plan and coordinate control measures.
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect and test soil samples for their physical and chemical characteristics and take corrective action to improve the soil for garden beds and turf areas.
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to contribute to workplace health and safety procedures, including applying policies and procedures, assisting in hazard identification and risk control, and observing safe practices during work operations.
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply environmentally sustainable work practices.
Common Questions
The course is available at multiple campuses across Queensland, including Grovely and Mt Gravatt and Ipswich in Greater Brisbane, Ashmore on the Gold Coast, as well as locations in Darling Downs and South West and North Queensland.
The course fees vary depending on your eligibility: Fee-Free TAFE (eligible students): $0; Concession: $2,670; Subsidised: $3,230; Full Fee: $7,705; International students: $9,300. Fee-Free TAFE is a government initiative covering some or all course fees for eligible students.
The duration varies depending on the campus and study mode. Full-time students at Ashmore can complete the course in 9 months (2 days per week), while full-time students at Grovely or Mt Gravatt take 1 year (3.5 days per week). Part-time students at Ashmore studying as existing workers take 18 months (1 night per week).
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core units plus 6 elective units. Core units include topics such as transporting and storing chemicals, controlling weeds and plant pests, operating pressurised irrigation systems, operating machinery and equipment, identifying and selecting plants, performing specialist amenity pruning, implementing soil improvements, contributing to workplace health and safety, and applying environmentally sustainable work practices. Elective units will be specified depending on the location you are studying.
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for employment as a horticulturist, and/or to work in a nursery, or parks and gardens. Specific job roles include Nursery Worker, Parks and Gardens Worker, and Horticulturist.
Application
Three simple steps to get enrolled
Step 01
Enquire
Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Step 02
Submit Documents
Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.
Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.
Honestly I was lost when I first started looking at Australian colleges. There are just too many options and every agent gives you different info. A friend told me about FindTheCourses and within a week I had shortlisted 3 programs that actually matched my budget and visa situation. My advisor Sanjay was super helpful — never felt like I was being pushed into anything.
Priya Sharma
India
Master of Nursing · Griffith University
