INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Horticulture

CRICOS Code: 105563C
National Code: AHC30716

2025 2026

Description

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to work as a horticulturist or gardener with this comprehensive horticulture qualification. Learn all about plants and their culture, plant pests and diseases, how to control weeds, and how to improve gardens and turf areas. Develop your knowledge even further in your areas of interest with our comprehensive range of electives including site inspections, hydroponic systems, landscape maintenance, plant nutrition, operating machinery and equipment, and the safe use of chemicals. Get your hands in the dirt and grow your career with TAFE SA. -“Please note this course will be transitioning to a new version in 2025”

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Urrbrae

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

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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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.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .

Course Notes

The Certificate III in Horticulture and Diploma of Horticulture have been superseded and are in transition to the new versions during 2023. There may be changes to the course such as fees, delivery methods, and other things. Transfer to the new versions in 2024, and any changes to delivery, is subject to approval. More details will be provided once known.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $5282

AUD $300^*

Semester 2

AUD $5283

Fee Totals

AUD $10565

AUD $300^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $10865

* Students will need to purchase steel cap boots, Riggers work gloves, Nitrile solvent resistant gloves, broad brimmed hat, secateurs, safety glasses, hearing muffs (Class 5), safety P1 dust mask with valve, safety P2 dust/mist/fume mask with valve, and spray suit coverall (type 4,5,6).

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

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

Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716)
This certificate develops skills and knowledge in carrying out WHS procedures, providing information on plants, controlling weeds, pests and diseases, chemical use, installing and operating irrigation systems, plant nutrition, plant establishment, landscape construction and maintenance, sports turf construction and maintenance, specialist pruning, propagation and maintenance of nursery plants, machinery and equipment operation and maintenance. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 5 core units and 11 elective units.

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.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Contribute to work health and safety processes	50	LAATC	AHCWHS301
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders	80	LAASE	AHCPMG302
Control weeds	70	LAASD	AHCPMG301
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas	60	LAASM	AHCSOL303
Provide information on plants and their culture	70	LAARD	AHCPCM302

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices	50	LAATN	AHCWRK309
Collect native seed	40	LABKY	AHCECR305
Conduct site inspections	80	LAATP	AHCWRK311
Coordinate work site activities	70	LAATM	AHCWRK305
Establish turf	60	LAASW	AHCTRF302
Identify and report unusual disease or plant pest signs	50	LAAMA	AHCBIO302
Identify plant specimens	80	LAARE	AHCPCM303
Implement a grassed area maintenance program	60	LAASX	AHCTRF303
Implement a landscape maintenance program	100	LAARS	AHCPGD304
Implement a plant establishment program	80	LAARN	AHCPGD301
Implement a plant nutrition program	60	LAARC	AHCPCM301
Implement a propagation plan	90	LAAPT	AHCNSY306
Install pressurised irrigation systems	70	LAAMY	AHCIRG331
Maintain nursery plants	40	LAAPS	AHCNSY301
Maintain pressurised irrigation systems	50	LAANA	AHCIRG333
Operate machinery and equipment	40	LAANZ	AHCMOM304
Operate pressurised irrigation systems	50	LAAMZ	AHCIRG332
Perform specialist amenity pruning	65	LAARR	AHCPGD303
Plan and maintain plant displays	50	LAARP	AHCPGD302
Sample soils and interpret results	60	LAASN	AHCSOL401
Transport and store chemicals	50	LAAML	AHCCHM304
Troubleshoot irrigation systems	50	LAAMX	AHCIRG306

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.