AHC33722
Certificate III In Protected Horticulture
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Qualification Description
CRICOS Course Code: 113093F
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for individuals who work in the protected horticulture industry undertaking skilled work in the areas of picking, packing, crop and nursery work. Individuals with this qualification perform tasks involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a wide variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgement in selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources and apply contingency measures during work.
Important Information
Duration
Standard course duration (incl. holidays): 52 weeks
Study duration: 43 weeks / 4 study terms
Holidays: A maximum of 9 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
TBC
AQF Level
Pre-requisites
Nil
Mode of Delivery
Face to face classroom.
Campus Location and Facilities
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).
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
- Virginia Horticulture Centre, 942 Old Port Wakefield Rd, Virginia SA 5120
- 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
Age: All students need to be 18 years of age at the time of commencement.
Academic: Minimum Year 12 equivalent to Australian standards or above and/or Certificate level qualification from Australia
English: International student applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.0 equivalent.
Or
Demonstrating the required English proficiency through an Ironwood internal English assessment
Students with IELTS score less than 6.0 or equivalent can study English for Academic Purposes (10 weeks for IELTS 5.5 and 20 weeks for IELTS 6.0) at Ironwood to meet the English requirement.
For more information about acceptable English tests and exemptions, please refer to Home Affairs official website or https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500#Eligibility
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 licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication
Course Type
Course Structure
- Total Units 17
- Core Units 6
- Elective Units 11
Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs (Core)
Carry out manual handling tasks (Core)
Apply quality systems and procedures (Core)
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes (Core)
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices (Core)
Apply biosecurity measures (Core)
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders (Elective)
Implement a plant nutrition program (Elective)
Provide information on plants and their culture (Elective)
Control weeds (Elective)
Operate machinery and equipment (Elective)
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases (Elective)
Transport and store chemicals (Elective)
Prepare growing media (Elective)
Troubleshoot irrigation systems (Elective)
Maintain nursery plants (Elective)
Identify and select plants (Elective)
For further details about each unit of competency please refer to: https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC33722
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods include but are not limited to:
- Role Plays
- Observation/Demonstration of Practical Skills
- Case Studies
- Written Reports
- Interview/Oral questions
- Written Tests
Qualification
On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded AHC33722 Certificate III in Protected Horticulture. 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 Horticulture, , Certificate IV in Protected Horticulture, Certificate IV in Nursery Operations, Diploma of Horticulture.
Employment Opportunities
Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors. For those with appropriate work experience, knowledge, and skills gained from this Certificate III can help the candidate to take on the following roles which include but not limited to:
- Horticulture Assistance
- Greenhouse Assistant Worker
(Ironwood Institute does not guarantee an employment outcome, Work-based Training licence, or accreditation at the completion of this qualification).
Work-based Training
Not applicable
Work Placement
Not applicable
Fees schedule
| Student Category | Admission fee (AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas student | $500 | $250 | $14,250 | $15,000 |
| Fee Type | Administration (AUD) | Learning Resources (AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full fee | $250 | $250 | $100 | $14,250 | $14, 850 |
Ironwood Institute does not intend to receive more than 50% of the total tuition fees from overseas students or intending overseas before starting the course, which is more than 25 weeks in duration. However, the student and /or person responsible for paying those fees can choose to pay more than 50% of the total tuition fees for a course.
Please note that this is the standard fee information. students are encouraged to contact the Institute for current specials and scholarships and bursaries.
Course fees may be subject to change over the duration of your enrolment.
For detail information on Ironwood’s policies on refund, deferment, suspension and cancellation please visit relevant policies page.
Please refer to Education Services for Overseas Student(ESOS) framework for detailed information, which protects and enhances Australia’s reputation for quality education, provides tuition protection and supports the integrity of the student visa program.
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
Certificate III of Horticulture
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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