INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management

CRICOS Code: 111778D
National Code: AHC31421

2025 2026

Description

If you have a passion for conservation and the environment, this is the course for you. Start your career with this nationally recognised qualification. Choose your own study focus from indigenous land management, conservation earthworks, lands, parks and wildlife, or natural area management. Become an indigenous lands worker, National Parks assistant, land rehabilitation worker, revegetation hand, or land-care officer. You'll learn how to protect our natural environment by managing weeds, restoring bushland and supporting conservation projects. -“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 .
This course has a large practical, field-based component, therefore a moderate level of physical fitness is required. Activities include bush walking, camping and other related physical activity.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $5865

AUD $200^*

Semester 2

AUD $5865

Fee Totals

AUD $11730

AUD $200^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $11930

* Students will be required to purchase Riggers work gloves • Safety glasses • Hearing muffs (Class 5) • Safety P1 dust mask with valve • Safety P2 dust/mist/fume mask with valve • Nitrile solvent resistant gloves • Spray suit coverall (type 4,5,6), steel cap boots, broad brimmed hat, secateurs at a cost of approximately $200.

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 Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC31421)
The course enables individuals to select an indigenous land management, conservation earthworks, lands, parks and wildlife or natural area management context as a job focus, or a mix of these. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 2 core units and 14 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
Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works	100	LABLB	AHCECR309
Contribute to work health and safety processes	50	LAATC	AHCWHS301

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply animal trapping techniques	40	LAASG	AHCPMG307
Apply environmentally sustainable work practices	50	LAATN	AHCWRK309
Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing	30	LABME	AHCSOL203
Collect native seed	40	LABKY	AHCECR305
Collect prepare and preserve plant specimens	30	LAARA	AHCPCM202
Conduct intertidal marine monitoring	60	LABLR	AHCMAR302
Conduct operational inspection of park facilities	70	LAART	AHCPGD305
Control plant pests, diseases and disorders	80	LAASE	AHCPMG302
Control weeds	70	LAASD	AHCPMG301
Determine pest control techniques	70	LABCG	AHCPMG306
Fell small trees	40	LABMA	AHCPCM205
Identify fauna in the field	50	LABLK	AHCFAU302
Identify plant specimens	80	LAARE	AHCPCM303
Implement a landscape maintenance program	100	LAARS	AHCPGD304
Implement a plant establishment program	80	LAARN	AHCPGD301
Implement a propagation plan	90	LABLY	AHCNSY313
Implement biological reintroduction works	80	LABKX	AHCECR303
Implement ecosystem reconstruction works	90	LABNH	AHCECR311
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas	60	LABGL	AHCSOL304
Install, maintain and repair farm fencing	30	LAAMR	AHCINF202
Maintain native ecosystem areas	80	LABKW	AHCECR301
Maintain nursery plants	40	LABLX	AHCNSY308
Navigate in remote or trackless areas	80	LAATW	FWPCOT3202
Operate and maintain chainsaws	40	LAANY	AHCMOM213
Operate basic machinery and equipment	20	LAANW	AHCMOM203
Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases	70	LABDS	AHCCHM307
Provide information on plants and their culture	70	LABMB	AHCPCM306
Read and interpret maps	40	LABLA	AHCECR307
Recognise fauna	40	LABLH	AHCFAU202
Recognise landforms and soil types	50	LABMD	AHCSAW202
Recognise plants	40	LABLZ	AHCPCM204
Survey pests	70	LAASF	AHCPMG305
Transport and store chemicals	50	LAAML	AHCCHM304
Undertake propagation activities	30	LABLW	AHCNSY207
Undertake sampling and testing of water	70	LABLM	AHCLPW313
Work as a guide	90	SAAZF	SITTGDE002

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.