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AHC51120 Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Protect endangered species, advise on bush fire prevention programs, manage waterway redevelopment projects and take your love for the environment and make it your career through Federation’s Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management. Becoming an expert in conservation and ecosystem management means you can work in rural, suburban and metro settings with a large amount of time being spent outdoors. You may wish to work in a laboratory, or you might prefer working outdoors. Whichever avenue you choose, you'll have a career with plenty of hands-on and rewarding work.

Next intake: February 2027
Learn more

Course essentials

Qualification Code

AHC51120

Entry requirements

See entry requirements

Fees

VET fees

Duration

I year

Locations

Gillies St (on campus)

Course overview

The Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management provides hands-on experience and practical skills. You'll learn how to survey animals and plants, monitor waterways, assess and restore natural sites, and undertake cultural studies relating to land management and allow you to take your love for the environment and make it your career. You will participate in field trips to diverse ecosystems ranging from the coast to Federation University’s arid Nanya research station. 

IT requirements

To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.

Got questions?

Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.

Student support

The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.

The fine print

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.

Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.

School department

Federation TAFE

I find TAFE is great because it's affordable. It's practical skills, hands on and it's easy to engage with the teachers because they're there if you have any questions; they really guide you through it. And it's a good adult learning environment."
— Thea Tribe, Certificate III in Horticulture

Career paths

  • Wildlife and Parks Field Officer
  • Field Operator 
  • Vertebrae Pest Officer
  • Weeds Operator

Indigenous land management, Ecosystem restoration, Rehabilitation and renewal, Conservation works, Parks management and/or administration, Wildlife management, Marine and/or coastal management and Water and catchment management.

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fee information

2026 indicative fees

The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment. 

Fees are subject to change annually.

Concession
Government Subsidised Place		Standard
Government Subsidised Place		Full Fee Place
(Not eligible for government subsidy)
N/A$11,858$23,843

Fee assistance

If you’re eligible for a VET Student Loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your tuition fee up to a maximum of $19,290. You won’t have to start paying the loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.

Material fees

This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $465. 

Other study costs

Students will be required to supply their own PPE: Hat, sunscreen, covered in shoes, rain jacket.

Other important information

If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.

If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.

If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).

Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.

 

Scholarships

There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.

Course details

Start dates

Semester 2, 2026

Locations

Gillies St (on campus)

Register interest

Information

  • Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.

Contact hours

This course is considered full-time with attendance being held 3 days per week. This program is also available in a part-time capacity with days of attendance to be negotiated before enrolment. Students will complete approximately 18 hours per week of on-campus study. Classes will be held from 9.00am to 4.00pm on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 
Additional study time is required to complete assessments, classroom readings and activities.

Sample course structure

This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.

Entry requirements

For all TAFE applications, pre-training review questions and a literacy and numeracy review are part of the application process.

How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.

After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.

For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.

VTAC application
Yes
VTAC code
3701574754 - Gillies St (on campus)
Direct application
Yes
Federation University code
IDR
National course code
AHC51120

Introductory pathway/s:  

  • Certificate III in Conservation in Ecosystem Management

Further education pathway/s:  

  • Bachelor of Environmental and Conservation Science 
Imagine being part of the action at Federation TAFE.

Credit for previous study

You might be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you have formal or informal learning, or relevant experience that meets the requirements of your training package or VET accredited course. If you think you qualify for RPL, you can apply at the same time as you apply for your course.

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