AHC50422
Diploma of Horticulture Management
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Qualification Description
This qualification is designed for those looking to step into leadership roles within the horticulture industry. It equips students with the advanced technical knowledge and management skills needed to plan, coordinate, and oversee horticultural operations across a range of settings, including nurseries, parks and gardens, landscaping enterprises, and production environments.
This qualification goes beyond hands-on horticulture, focusing on decision-making, team leadership, business operations, and the effective management of resources. Students develop the ability to design and implement growing programs, manage plant health at scale, oversee staff and workflows, and ensure compliance with industry standards, sustainability practices, and workplace safety requirements.
Graduates are prepared to take responsibility for complex projects and operational outcomes, applying both strategic thinking and practical expertise to drive productivity and quality. With horticulture continuing to grow as a vital and innovative sector, this Diploma provides a strong pathway into supervisory and management-level careers.
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 intake
AQF Level
5 [Click for details in the Australian Qualifications Framework]
Pre-requisites
Prior to commencing this qualification an individual must:
- have completed the following 7 units of competency (or equivalent):
- AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
- AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
- AHCPCM308 Identify and select plants
- AHCPMG301 Control weeds
- AHCPMG302 Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
- AHCSOL304 Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
- AHCWHS302 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
OR
- have relevant equivalent skills and knowledge acquired through participation in the horticulture industry. This will be assessed accordingly during the enrolment period as per our policies and procedures (See POL-ENR-01).
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face in the classroom or as a workplace-based traineeship.
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 Drive, North Adelaide
- Adelaide City Council: Veale Gardens, South Terrace, Adelaide
- Adelaide Botanic Gardens: Hackney Road, Adelaide
- St Laurence’s Priory: 134 Buxton Street, North Adelaide
- Virginia Horticulture Centre, 942 Old Port Wakefield Road, Virginia
- National Wine Centre of Australia: Corner of Hackney Road &, Botanic Road
The Institute does not provide transport to training sites. Students are responsible for arranging their own travel and must ensure they arrive on time for practical training days, whether by public transport or their own means.
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.
- You will need to complete an Upfront Assessment of Needs to ascertain if you are suitable to undertake the training.
Learning Resources, Tools and Equipment
All learning resources and tools are provided to students by Ironwood Institute at no additional cost.
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 10
- Core Units 3
- Elective Units 7
Manage workplace health and safety processes (Core)
Write and present reports (Core)
Develop workplace policy and procedures for environment and sustainability (Core)
Develop and manage a chemical use strategy (Elective)
Develop a horticultural production plan (Elective)
Diagnose plant health problems (Elective)
Collect and classify plants (Elective)
Monitor and manage soils for production (Elective)
Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports (Elective)
Negotiate and monitor contracts (Elective)
For further details about each unit of competency please refer to the AHC50422 Diploma of Horticulture Management.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods include but are not limited to:
- Role Plays
- Observation/Demonstration of Practical Skills
- Case Studies
- Written Reports
- Presentations
- Written Tests
Qualification
On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded the AHC50422 Diploma of Horticulture Management. 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
Pathways exist to the following qualifications: Advanced Diploma of Horticulture, Advanced Diploma of Arboriculture or relevant bachelor’s degree at Australian Universities. Please note that Ironwood Institute does not guarantee an automatic pathway to a university degree and advises students to seek confirmation with their university of choice. Please refer to Ironwood University Pathways for further details.
Employment Opportunities
Job roles and titles can vary across industry sectors. For individuals with relevant experience, the knowledge and skills gained through this Diploma, can support entry into a range of roles, including but not limited to:
- Senior Horticulturist
- Parks and Garden manager
- Horticulture enterprise manager
(Ironwood Institute does not guarantee an employment, migration, licence, or accreditation outcome at the completion of this qualification).
Work-based Training
Traineeship 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.
| Subsidised Traineeship | Admission fee(AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Participant Co-contribution (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traineeship * | $500 | NIL | $4,400 | $4,900 |
| Fee For Service | Admission fee(AUD) | PPE (AUD) | Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $500 | NIL | $14,250 | $15,000 |
* The Participant Co-contribution shown apply to the Adelaide metropolitan area. Fees for locations outside this area will be quoted individually.
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.
| Fee Type | Admission (AUD) |
Learning Resources(AUD) |
Tuition (AUD) | Total (AUD) | Payment Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traineeship | $0 | $0 | $498 | $498 | Initial deposit of $224.50 and the 3 payments of $124.50 every 3 months |
| Concession (Traineeship) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | --- |
| Full Fee | $250 | $250 | $9,975 | $10,475 | Initial deposit of $3,000 and the 3 payments of $2,492 every 3 months |
Students are encouraged to contact the Institute for current specials.
A career in horticulture
A career in horticulture means you will meaningfully contribute to creating liveable cities, healthy environments, and protecting the future of food security in Australia.
It’s all about plants. Horticulture encompasses every form of plant life—from seeds and propagation material to mature shrubs and trees. It includes seedlings, herbs, vegetables, fruit and nut trees, vines, and the full spectrum of plant species found in both indoor and outdoor environments, across residential, commercial, 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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