AHC31124
Certificate III in Nursery Operations
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Plant yourself where your career will grow.
Qualification Description
This qualification provides a general vocational outcome in amenity horticulture. Certificate III in Nursery Operations includes classroom and practical training and assessment to develop skills and knowledge in crop/plant selection, cultivation, management of soil, irrigation, fertilizers, weeds, control of pests and diseases, handling of chemicals, and work health and safety procedures (WHS).
Subsidised under SkillingSA an SA Government Initiative. Eligibility and subsidy criteria apply, please visit www.skills.sa.gov.au
Important Information
Duration
Standard course duration (incl. holidays): 52 weeks
Study duration: 40 weeks / 4 study terms
Holidays: A maximum of 12 weeks spread across the course duration. Holidays cannot be taken at the commencement or at the completion of an enrolment.
Scheduled classes per week: 20 hours, two full days (8 hours) and a half-day (4 hours).
Self-study: 10 hours per study week
Intake Dates
Monthly
AQF Level
Pre-requisites
Nil
Mode of Delivery
Face to face classroom and workplace based traineeship.
Location of Delivery
Classroom site:
- Ironwood Institute is located at Level 3, 112-118 Rundle Mall, Adelaide 5000. The campus is in the heart of Adelaide City Centre, which offers an excellent blend of history, culture, modern lifestyle, and congenial learning environment. The site is well connected by public transport (bus, tram, and train).
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The campus hosts five classrooms, admin offices, student support services desk, student kitchen, computer room, student break room, library, separate toilets for male, female & disabled and students meeting room.
Practical sites:
- Adelaide City Council Nursery: War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006
- Adelaide City Council: Veale Gardens, South Terrace, Adelaide
- Adelaide Botanic Gardens: Hackney Road, Adelaide, SA 5000
- St Laurences Priory: 134 Buxton Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
- National Wine Centre of Australia: Corner of Hackney Rd &, Botanic Rd, SA 5000
The Institute does not provide transportation to sites and it is student’s responsibility to get there on time on practical training days either on bus or at their own transport medium.
Entry Requirements
Ironwood has a minimum level of requirements that students need to meet to enrol in a course(s)
- All students need to be 18 years of age at time of commencement.
- Satisfactory reading, writing, and numeracy skills. If you wish to access subsidised training, you will need to complete the CORE Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) along with an Upfront Assessment of Needs to ascertain if you are suitable to undertake the training.
If you have a verified disability/medical condition and require additional support please contact Ironwood Admissions or call 08 8227 0300 before applying to discuss your needs. To be eligible for support you must provide medical documentation to verify your disability/medical condition.
Learning Resources, Tools and Equipment
All learning resources and tools are provided to students by Ironwood Institute at no additional cost.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is compulsory for this course. Following are the PPE items:
- Safety boots
- Broad-brimmed hat
- Gloves
- High visibility vest
Students can purchase through Ironwood Institute at the cost of AUD 250.00 or can make the items available at their own cost before course commencement.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
No occupational licensing, legislative, or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Course Type
Course Structure
- Total Units 16
- Core Units 9
- Elective Units 7
Transport and store chemicals (Core)
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases (Core)
Troubleshoot irrigation systems (Core)
Maintain nursery plants (Core)
Implement a plant nutrition program (Core)
Provide information on plants and their culture (Core)
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders (Core)
Prepare growing media (Core)
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes (Core)
Apply biosecurity measures (Elective)
Implement a propagation plan (Elective)
Operate pressurised irrigation systems (Elective)
Operate machinery and equipment (Elective)
Receive and dispatch nursery products (Elective)
Control weeds (Elective)
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas (Elective)
For further details about each unit of competency please refer to AHC31124 Certificate III in Nursery Operations.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods include but are not limited to:
- Role Plays
- Observation/Demonstration of Practical Skills
- Case Studies
- Written Reports
- Presentations
- Interview/Oral questions
- Written Tests
Qualification
On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded AHC31124 Certificate III in Nursery Operations. Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency within this Qualification will receive a Statement of Attainment. (By enrolling in this course, Ironwood Institute does not guarantee a learner will successfully complete and receive the qualification).
Qualification Pathways
Certificate III in Landscape Construction, Certificate III in Arboriculture, Certificate IV in Horticulture, Certificate IV in Sports Turf Management, Certificate IV in Parks and Gardens, Certificate IV in Production Nursery, Diploma of Horticulture.
Employment Opportunities
- Horticulturist
- Nurseryperson
(Ironwood Institute does not guarantee an employment, migration, licence, or accreditation outcome at the completion of this qualification).
Work-based Training
Traineeships available.
Work Placement
Not applicable
Fee schedule
The cost of a course varies according to eligibility for government subsidies and the type of study. Government subsidies are available to residents of South Australia. Students who are not eligible for any subsidies will pay the standard fee.
| Fee Type | Admission (AUD) |
Learning Resources(AUD) |
PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) | Payment Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traineeship | $0 | $0 | $100 | $498 | $598 | Initial deposit of $224.50 and the 3 payments of $124.50 every 3 months |
| Concessions (Traineeship) | $0 | $0 | $100 | $0 | $100 | -- |
| Full Fee | $250 | $250 | $100 | $9,975 | $10,575 | Initial deposit of $3,000 and the 3 payments of $2,525 every 3 months |
| Subsidised Traineeship | Admission fee(AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Participant Co-contribution (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traineeship | $500 | NIL | $4,000 | $4,500 |
| Fee For Service | Admission fee(AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $500 | $250 | $14,250 | $15,000 |
Please check your eligibility for subsidises at https://mytraining.skills.sa.gov.au/training/get-started/check-eligibility
Domestic students are not required to pay more than $1,500.00 tuition fees prior to the start of the course.
Course fees may be subject to change over the duration of your enrolment.
Please note that this is the standard fee information. students are encouraged to contact the Institute for current specials and scholarships and bursaries.
For detail information on Ironwood’s policies on refund, deferment, suspension and cancellation please visit relevant policies page.
A career in horticulture
A career in horticulture means you will meaningfully contribute to creating liveable cities, and healthy environments and protecting the future of food security in Australia.
It’s all about the plants!! Horticulture covers all types of seed, plant, shrub, or tree stock, including but not limited to propagation plants, seedlings, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, nut trees, vines, and all plants in indoor and outdoor residential and public spaces.
While nature plays a very big role, there is an entire industry of around 3,000 businesses embracing tried and tested horticultural techniques, sensible science, and the latest in horticultural innovation to deliver over 2 billion plants into Australia’s landscapes, backyards, kitchen windows, and on to our plates. Over 25,000 individuals are committed to leading the greening of Australia. Will you be one of them?
There is a career pathway for everyone. A career path in Horticulture is only limited by your interests and motivation, many learning pathways can be taken including tissue culture laboratories, plant breeders, production managers, operations managers, soil scientists, growing media specialists, plant protection experts, plant nutritionists, entomologists, horticulturists, growers, garden retailers, landscapers, environmental scientists, communicators, marketers, logistics, television presenters, garden writers and radio broadcasters, automation experts, policy writers, researchers, academics and educators.
Why Study Horticulture in Adelaide, South Australia
Recognised for its excellence in environmentally clean, safe, and advanced production making Adelaide a key horticulture destination. Ironwood’s horticulture program allows our students to gain the skills and knowledge to become job ready in all sorts of horticultural positions.
- Adelaide is Australia’s 1st National Park City.
- South Australia is a major producer of premium horticulture.
- Technologically advanced and sustainable horticulture is a key focus in South Australia.
- Number one in protected cropping in Australia, with more than 700 hectares of greenhouses with a high number of professional, vertically integrated businesses across the supply chain
- Australia’s number one producer of onions and potatoes
- Home to Australia’s National Almond Centre of Excellence
- Home to the world-leading national Sterile Insect Technology facility
- The Northern Adelaide Plains (NAP) is a key horticulture region of South Australia that lies immediately north of the Adelaide metropolitan area. The NAP produces approximately 198,000 tonnes of fresh produce, generating around 20% of the state’s horticulture production by volume and 33% by value, with a farm gate value of $317 million. The area is renowned for growing premium quality vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums, onions and potatoes. The region employs almost half of SA’s vegetable industry workers including job roles involving :
- broad-acre field vegetable cropping
- tree orchards
- high-technology climate controlled hydroponic systems and
- medium and low-technology poly and shade houses.
For more information visit https://www.northernadelaideplains.com.au/about
Adelaide is Australia’s 1st National Park City and the 2nd globally after London.
South Australia is a global leader in the production of premium, environmentally clean, safe and advanced horticultural crops.
Hear from Ironwood Students
Lindsey
Certificate III of Horticulture
Felix
Diploma of Horticulture
Heena
Certificate III in Nursery Operations
Marcelo Guerra
Diploma of Horticulture
Zoi
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Hear from Horticulture Employers
Nick Femia
SA Mushrooms
Troy Topp
Perfection Fresh
Dino
Owner of Hi Fresh Virginia
Chris
Owner of Adelaide Plant Grows
Hear from Industry Peak Bodies
Dannielle Chapman
Executive Officer of the NGISA
Mark Cody
Primary Industries Skills Council of SA
Jordan Brooke-Barnett
AusVeg SA
Learn more about the opportunities in Horticulture Industry
AUSVEG has created several deep dive videos that look into some of the obscure but vital roles in the industry. These videos show the daily tasks, responsibilities, and pathways within the Production Horticulture sector.
Why Ironwood Institute?
Outstanding Achievements
Ironwood Institute is an award‑winning education provider, recognised for excellence in Agribusiness and Horticulture training since 2008. We were named the South Australia Small Training Provider of the Year 2025.
Our CEO, Navtej received an Industry Future Leaders Award in 2022 for outstanding contribution to international and vocational education in South Australia. Our students also shine globally, with students winning Global Footprint Scholarships(2024, 2025), and NGISA Horticulture Student of the Year (2022, 2023, 2025).
These achievements reflect our ongoing leadership and commitment to shaping the next generation of green‑industry professionals.
Further Information
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