2. Courses
  3. Primary Industries & Science
  4. Diploma of Arboriculture
QUALIFICATION

Diploma of Arboriculture


 National Code: AHC50520
 TAFE SA Code: TP01178


2025 start

Description

Make trees your business and develop your specialist arboriculture knowledge and skills with this nationally recognised qualification for professional arborists. Learn all about advanced skills in arboriculture techniques and practice such as identifying and examining trees, diagnosing tree diseases, implementing tree maintenance programs, and performing pruning operations. You’ll also learn key business practices such as producing an arboricultural impact assessment report, interpreting relevant legislation, and how to prepare estimates, quotes, and tenders. It’s your career, you choose where it can take you with TAFE SA.

Please note that students must complete these three core units of the Certificate III in Arboriculture before commencing the Diploma if they do not satisfy the requirements for RPL (recognised prior learning):
- AHCARB314 Implement a tree maintenance program
- AHCARB316 Perform pruning operations
- AHCARB323 Identify trees.

-“Please note this course will be transitioning to a new version in 2025”

Award Course Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Duration
Print Course Page
36 months 

Part Time

Print

Locations & Applications

Existing Worker Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Urrbrae

893322

Workplace Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
Apply Now

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • You must be working in a relevant industry

Please Read Before Applying

Entry Recommendations
Before an offer is made, you will be contacted by TAFE SA to confirm that you are currently employed in a relevant industry.

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
Classes are held face to face.

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 36 month course
Full Fee
$1,719
$10,314

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    VET Student Loan

    This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors. Possible job titles relevant to this qualification include:
    • Consulting arborist

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Arboriculture (AHC50520)
    This course will cover everything you need to make trees your business, including:

    • Advanced skills in arboriculture techniques and practice
    • Business operations
    • Work Health and Safety
    • Industry work practices To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 8 core units and 2 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Name Nominal Hours Subject Code National Code
    Collect and manage data 120 LABCF AHCWRK502
    Develop an arboricultural impact assessment report 90 LABKC AHCARB509
    Diagnose tree diseases 120 LABKG AHCARB514
    Examine and assess trees 120 LABKF AHCARB513
    Identify trees 90 LABHW AHCARB323
    Identify, select and specify trees 120 LABKB AHCARB508
    Implement a tree maintenance program 40 LABHM AHCARB314
    Interpret legislation 100 LAALP AHCWRK508
    Perform a ground-based tree defect evaluation 100 LABHZ AHCARB408
    Perform pruning operations 80 LABHP AHCARB316
    Prepare arborist reports 90 LABKE AHCARB511
    Prepare estimates quotes & tenders 120 LABHD AHCBUS515
    Specify and audit tree work 100 LABKD AHCARB510

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Diploma of Arboriculture
TP01178
︿
Back to Top