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Trades & Apprenticeships

AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture

If you're keen to bring new skills to your family farm or enter one of the many areas in the multi-billion dollar agriculture industry, this certificate will teach you the skills and knowledge needed. You have a signed training agreement and are looking for a training plan tailored to suit your interest.

Start anytime as a trainee
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Course essentials

Qualification Code

AHC30122

Entry requirements

See entry requirements

Fees

Free TAFE

Learn more

Duration

2 years

Locations

Mt Rowan (Rural Skills Centre)

Course overview

The Certificate III in Agriculture is a practical, hands-on qualification that prepares students for a wide range of careers across Australia’s agricultural industry. Students develop skills in livestock production, cropping, farm machinery operation, chemical use, workplace safety, sustainability, and modern farming practices, while gaining valuable experience in real-world agricultural environments.

Delivered at Federation TAFE’s Mt Rowan campus, students learn using industry-standard equipment and facilities and benefit from training that reflects current agricultural practices and technologies. The course combines practical training with industry knowledge to build confidence and job-ready skills for employment in broadacre farming, livestock enterprises, mixed farming operations, and agricultural service industries.

Successful completion of this qualification can lead to roles such as farm hand, livestock worker, machinery operator, station hand, or agricultural worker, and provides a pathway to further study, including the Certificate IV in Agriculture. As the agricultural sector continues to embrace new technologies, sustainable land management practices, and innovation, graduates will be well placed to contribute to this growing and essential industry.

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

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be qualified to seek employment in the agricultural sector as a farm tradesperson, senior farm hand or station hand.

Farm tradesperson
Senior farm hand
Station hand

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)
$665$3,325$14,770

Material fees

This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions, inclusions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $106. 

Other study costs

Material Fees: Include AgVet manual.

Other study costs: Students are required to provide their own appropriate footwear, such as workboots and sun protection

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 1, 2026

Locations

Mt Rowan (Rural Skills Centre)

Register interest

Semester 2, 2026

Locations

Mt Rowan (Rural Skills Centre)

Register interest

Information

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

Contact hours

Trainees are provided with individualised timetables created following training plan discussion with employer and trainee. Classes are held weekly on Mondays in accordance with each trainee’s individual timetable.

Approximately 2 hours per week of activites/ time commitment outside of class.

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

This course is delivered as part of an apprenticeship. Applicants must be currently employed as an apprentice in the agricultural industry, be registered with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, and have a signed Training Contract before commencing the course.

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.

Direct application
Yes
Federation University code
JAY
National course code
AHC30122
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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