AHC31124
Certificate III in Nursery Operations
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Qualification Description
CRICOS Course Code: 117238F
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).
Horticulture student of the year 2021
Important Information
Duration
The course will be delivered in 52 weeks (one year).
Full-time study for 40 weeks and a break period of 12 weeks between 4 study terms. Each study term is approx. 10 weeks long.
The scheduled contact study per week is 20 hours.
The classes are scheduled per study week for two full days (9 am to 5 pm) and the third half-day (either 9 am to 1 pm or 1 pm to 5 pm).
There are also additional 10 hours of self-study scheduled per study week for students.
Intake Dates
15/1/2025
9/4/2025
2/7/2025
24/9/2025
AQF Level
Pre-requisites
Nil
Mode of Delivery
Face to Face.
Location of Delivery
Classroom site:
- Ironwood Institute: Level 3, 112-118 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000
Practical site:
- 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
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
International student applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.0 equivalent.
Students with IELTS 5.0 (20 weeks) or 5.5 (10 weeks) can study English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at Ironwood to meet the English requirement. For complete details please refer to entry requirements.
Material and Equipment Required
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
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 outcome, licence, or accreditation at the completion of this qualification).
Work-based Training
Not applicable
Work Placement
Not applicable
Fees
| Fee Type | Administration (AUD) | Learning Resources (AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full fee | $250 | $250 | $100 | $9,750 | $10,350 |
| Student Category | Enrolment Administration (AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | $500 | $250 | $14,250 | $15,000 |
Initial deposit – 50% of tuition for offshore students and 25% of tuition for onshore students plus administration and learning resources.
Students are encouraged to contact the Institute for current specials and to apply for scholarships.
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.
- 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.
Hear from Ironwood Students
Felix
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Heena
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Marcelo Guerra
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Gurtej Singh
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Hear from Horticulture Employers
Nick Femia
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Troy Topp
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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
Joy de Leo
ACPET
Grant Dalwood
Nursery & Garden Association SA
Karyn Kent
Study Adelaide
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.
Further Information
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