Certificate III in Agriculture (Traineeship)

This qualification provides a general vocational outcome in agriculture. The qualification enables you to select a livestock production, cropping or livestock context as a job focus or, in the case of mixed farming enterprises, both cropping and livestock.

Industry expects individuals with this qualification to perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications applied in a wide variety of contexts, which may involve application of some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

Through a combination on on-the-job training and classes at Glenormiston Training Facility, you will learn a variety of agricultural skills including:

• machinery operation
• animal handling
• animal health
• construct conventional fencing
• first aid
• establish pastures and crops for livestock production
• artificial insemination and fertility management

Australian agriculture is expanding to feed the growing world population and is a leader in innovation and use of technology. A wide range of career paths are available to graduates on and off farm from managing a farm to providing key services to the agricultural industry based on the sound knowledge you have gained undertaking this course.

Upon completion of this course, you will be equipped to gain employment as:

• Farm or station hand
• Farm or station worker
• Livestock transport driver

This course may provide a pathway to further study in the agriculture field such as:

• Certificate IV in Agriculture
• Diploma of Agriculture

This qualification is superseded and course updates are occurring.

To ensure course content is relevant and industry-specific, industry is constantly having input into this training package. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future and you may be enrolled in the new qualification. Further information will be provided on our website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.

You must be at least 15 years old to enrol. In order to complete the qualification, you must be at least 16 years old to undertake certain units.

You must also be employed as a trainee with a registered employer in the agriculture industry.

You need to be employed in this field as an apprentice or trainee before commencing this course.

If you are currently not employed in this field please contact the Skills and Jobs Centre for further advice. 

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 16 units: 2 core and 14 elective.

Elective Units

This course involves accredited units.  You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes.  A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment. 

Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms.  Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance.  You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.

Once you have applied for your chosen course, you will receive a thank you email from South West TAFE with a few steps to help process your enrolment.

Complete a Pre-Training Review
You will receive an email to complete a Pre-Training Review online evaluation. This evaluation helps us tailor your training to suit your needs.

Create or provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A USI is a nationally recognised reference number that provides an online record of your training qualifications gained in Australia.
Create your USI
Already have a USI but can’t remember it? Find your USI

Skills recognition
If you have experience or prior qualifications, you may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning and gain credits. You will be asked to provide any relevant Statement of Attainment to support identified credits.

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program provides a number of incentives to assist employers who take on an Australian Apprentice, particularly where the Australian Apprenticeship is in a trade experiencing a skills shortage.

Find out more about the incentives available and hiring an apprentice or trainee on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.

Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements.  Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :

1. Tuition fees - charged as an hourly rate that varies from course to course. A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for eligible students.
2. Resource and/or materials costs - covers the cost of materials and other incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.
3. Booklist items - such as textbooks, equipment and stationery recommended for your course

Tuition fees

There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances). 

1. Government Subsidised Fee - you could be eligible for a government-subsidised rate under the Skills First funding depending on your age, educational history, and citizenship or residency status. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
   Find out more about subsidised training
   
   
2. Government Subsidised Concession Fee - If you are eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place and hold a current healthcare or pension card, that you can provide at enrolment, you may be eligible for the concession rate. Note, the concession rate is not applicable to Diploma level courses.
   Find out more about concession rates
   
   
3. If the course is a Free TAFE course or part of the Free TAFE Pathways Program - Eligible students will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). Any resource or material costs, or booklist items for this course are listed in the table below.
   Find out more about Free TAFE
   Find out more about Free TAFE Pathways Programs
   
   
4. Full fee - If you are not eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place, exemption, concession or are enrolling in a course that isn't government-subsidised, you may be required to pay the full fee rate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The fees listed below are indicative only. The course fees published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Course fee funding is made available to eligible individuals by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. An accurate quote for this course will be provided during the enrolment process.

Students who are eligible for Free TAFE place will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about Free TAFE courses and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.

A Free TAFE Pathways Program is a group of courses that complement each other to help you continue to train for the career and industry you may wish to work in.

For eligible students, these courses are tuition fee free. Depending on the course, you may still be required to pay material fees. The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.

Find out more about the Free TAFE Pathways Program and eligibility or contact our Customer Service team.

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined upon enrolment.

Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.

You have three options when organising your payment:

1. Upfront payment - can be made over the phone with EFTPOS

2. Payment plan - can be directly debited from your bank account, debited from your Centrelink payments or via a VET Student Loan (for diploma or advanced diploma courses only)

3. Paid by employer, school or job network agency - if your fees are being paid by your employer, school or job network agency, you will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form.

Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.

We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.

There are five simple steps to apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship with us.

1. Find a job - find a job as an apprentice or trainee through an Apprenticeship Centre or Group Training Company.
2. Register - register with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) and nominate SWTAFE as your training provider (your employer will usually do this for you).
3. Complete a pre-training review - SWTAFE staff will contact you to organise your
   Pre-Training Review once your ASSN contract registration is complete.
4. Enrol - complete the enrolment form provided to you and provide your identification.
5. Sign - once you’ve completed your enrolment form and verified your identification you will receive your student declaration form to review and sign. You can sign this digitally via your smartphone, computer or tablet.

If need any assistance with applying, contact our Customer Service team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.

Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.

Our Careers Coaches at the Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you.

As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.