INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management

CRICOS Code: 104847K
National Code: AHC51120

2025 2026

Description

Advance your career in natural resource management with this Diploma. You’ll develop the practical skills and knowledge you need to take on skilled and paraprofessional positions in conservation and ecosystem management. You can tailor your studies to suit your career goals with our wide range of electives. Focus on indigenous land management, conservation earthworks, lands, parks and wildlife, or natural area management. Develop your understanding of the legal and policy framework for conservation and natural resource management and learn about data collection and report writing. Become a soil conservation specialist, landcare manager, land management supervisor, indigenous land manager, park ranger, environmental officer in lands, parks and wildlife, or a natural resources manager. Be yourself with TAFE SA.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

Park Ranger

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.
Successful completion of the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.
This course has a large component of field work, therefore a moderate level of physical fitness is required.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $8672

AUD $150^*

Semester 2

AUD $8673

Fee Totals

AUD $17345

AUD $150^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $17495

* International students will need to purchase steel cap boots, broad brimmed hat, secateurs if they don't already own these items. Details will be provided upon commencement.

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

This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge required for skilled and paraprofessional work in conservation and ecosystem management.

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 Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC51120)
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 10 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.

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Analyse and present research information	40	FACXN	BSBINS401
Collect and classify plants	120	LABMC	AHCPCM510
Collect and manage data	120	LABCF	AHCWRK502
Conduct biological surveys	200	LABLE	AHCECR502
Define the pest problem	100	LAALF	AHCPMG413
Design an ecological restoration project	200	LABLF	AHCECR503
Develop a coastal rehabilitation strategy	180	LABLS	AHCNRM509
Develop a management plan for a designated area	200	LABLP	AHCLPW506
Develop a water quality monitoring program	120	LABLT	AHCNRM510
Develop interpretive activities	60	SABGK	SITTPPD002
Plan river restoration works	150	LABLG	AHCECR505
Plan the implementation of revegetation works	80	LABLD	AHCECR402
Produce maps for land management purposes	120	LABLN	AHCLPW410
Provide specialist advice to clients	100	LAALR	AHCWRK509
Write and present reports	60	LABMG	AHCWRK513

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.