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Agriculture and rural operations
TAFE

AHC32822 Certificate III in Rural Operations

Not available to international students.

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This course is only available to Domestic students and your preference is currently set to International.

This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

1 year/s

This program is delivered over a period of 12 to 24 months. The length of time to complete this qualification will depend on the location, study mode and/or units selected and will vary depending upon how long a student takes to reach the required competency level.

Intake

Locations

Remote
Not available to international students.

Course code

AHC32822

Overview




This course is not available for online applications. Please contact the team on the details below for further information on how to apply.

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for general job roles in agriculture, conservation land management, and other related rural industries.

Depending on the units selected, individuals can be employed not only in the agriculture industry but also in other rural and regional sectors and community organisations.

Individuals with this qualification perform tasks under broad supervision involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgment in selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources, and applying contingency measures during work.

Career opportunities

Job roles and titles vary across different industry sectors and may include:

  • Machinery operator
  • Vegetable/orchard worker
  • Station hand
  • Animal care worker
  • Pastoral worker
  • Animal attendant/stockperson
  • Rural services

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Skill recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.This can include skills from:

  • Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;
  • Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or
  • Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).

RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.

Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.

For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.

Credit Transfer

Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.

In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.

Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.

Pathways

VET to Higher Education Pathway Mapping for completed Awards in the same field or discipline.

Further training pathways from this qualification include, but are not limited to:

  • AHC40122 - Certificate IV in Agriculture
  • AHC40422 - Certificate IV in Horticulture (Not currently available at CDU)

Fees

2025 Fees

  Fee Type  2025 Course Fees
  NT Government supported*  $3,108.00 - $4,662.00
  Full Fee  $11,004.00 - $16,506.00

*This course is supported by the NT Government for eligible domestic students who are NT residents. A limited number of NT Government supported places are available, so secure your place now.

Fees shown are indicative and subject to change annually. Actual course fees may vary depending on the units chosen. International non-student visa-holders; study eligibility needs to be verified before enrolment. Fees may vary depending on the visa type.

For further clarification and information on fees, payment options, instalment plans, and refunds, contact CDU on 1800 061 963 or refer to TAFE Fees and Payments.

Fee exemptions

Exemptions apply to TAFE tuition fees for NTG supported courses only.

At the time of enrolment, students in these categories will be exempt from paying tuition fees:

  • Recipient of a Centrelink payment
  • Recipient of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits
  • Enrolled Secondary Students
  • Permanent residents with refugee or humanitarian status

Certified copy of the evidence must be provided at the time of enrolment.

If your course is delivered in a location that is listed on the NTG’s Location Categories for VET Funded Programs, with remote as the location category you may be eligible for the Remote 2 Location tuition fee exemption.

Delivery allowance for VET funded programs

International VET Package

Course information flyer(s)

CDU Aquaculture students

Why study at CDU?

Study with the Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed. 

  • Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster
VET-palmerston-cookery-flipped

Why study at CDU?

Study with the Northern Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience.

  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning accepted
  • Packages into higher education available for most courses
CDU Aquaculture students

Why study at CDU?

Study with the Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed. 

  • Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster
VET-palmerston-cookery-flipped

Why study at CDU?

Study with the Northern Territory's largest training provider and gain industry-ready skills and experience.

  • Access to first-class facilities
  • Recognition of prior learning accepted
  • Packages into higher education available for most courses

What will I study?

To achieve AHC32822 a total of sixteen (16) units of competency must be completed comprising three (3) Core and thirteen (13) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below.The total nominal hours for the sequence listed below is 840 - 1260

Course structure

To achieve AHC32822 a total of sixteen (16) units of competency must be completed comprising three (3) Core and thirteen (13) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below.

The total nominal hours for the sequence listed below is 840 - 1260.
 

CodeModule/Unit of CompetencyHours
Core units of competency
AHCBIO303Apply biosecurity measures100
AHCWHS302Contribute to workplace health and safety processes50
AHCWRK320Apply environmentally sustainable work practices60
 Total nominal hours for core units210
Elective units of competency (Select 13)
Horse Group
AHCLSK218Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work (unnamed)

50

ACMEQU206Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter

60

ACMEQU202Handle horses safely (unnamed)

100

ACMEQU205Apply knowledge of horse behaviour (unnamed)

60

AHCLSK337Train, care for and ride horses for stock work (unnamed)

100

ACMEQU212Handle horses safely

100

ACMEQU214Prepare to work safely around horses

60

ACMEQU217Load and unload horses (unnamed)

30

ACMEQU218Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter

80

Cattle Group
AHCLSK311Implement feeding plans for livestock

140

AHCLSK331Comply with industry animal welfare requirements

40

AHCWRK318Comply with industry quality assurance requirements

40

AHCLSK308Identify and draft livestock

40

AHCLSK320Coordinate and monitor livestock transport (unnamed)

60

AHCLSK325Castrate livestock

20

AHCLSK305Maintain livestock water supplies

30

AHCWRK317Coordinate work site activities

70

AHCLSK301Administer medication to livestock

80

AHCLSK309Implement animal health control programs

50

AHCWRK323Operate in isolated and remote situations

40

PUATEA001Work in a team

20

Other Units
AHCCHM304Transport and store chemicals

50

AHCCHM307Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases

70

AHCLSK307Euthanase livestock

40

AHCLSK316Prepare livestock for competition90
AHCMOM216Operate side by side utility vehicles (unnamed)

50

AHCLSK317Plan to exhibit livestock (unnamed)

80

AHCLSK319Slaughter livestock (unnamed)

40

AHCLSK404Implement and monitor animal welfare programs (unnamed)

80

AHCINF206Install, maintain and repair farm fencing (unnamed)

30

AHCMOM201Operate two wheel motorbikes (unnamed)

30

AHCMOM205Operate vehicles (unnamed)

20

AHCLSK211Provide feed for livestock

30

 Total nominal hours for elective units630 - 1050
 Total nominal hours for the qualification840 - 1260


  
Prerequisite requirements *

Note: Units listed in the Prerequisite Requirement column that have their own prerequisite requirements are shown with an asterisk (*)

Unit of competencyPrerequisite requirement
ACMEQU202 Handle horses safelyACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour
ACMEQU206 Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canterACMEQU202 Handle horses safely*
ACMEQU217 Load and unload horsesACMEQU212 Handle horses safely
ACMEQU218 Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canterACMEQU212 Handle horses safely
AHCLSK218 Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock workACMEQU202 Handle horses safely*
ACMEQU206 Perform horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter*
AHCLSK337 Train, care for and ride horses for stock workAHCLSK218 Ride educated horses to carry out basic stock work*

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To ensure you have the right skills and support to succeed in your course, a Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LL&N) evaluation helps identify any areas where you may need additional support to help you achieve your goals.

To gain entry into AHC32822 Certificate III in Rural Operations, candidates are required to:

  • be physically fit, active, and able to function effectively in a tropical environment, as this is a physically demanding course.
  • have a work contract with an approved employer to undertake a traineeship.

 

I wanted to turn my regular job into my dream job, and the Charles Darwin University course offered exactly what I needed: practical skills.

Yulia

CDU student

Yulila Shche writing at a desk / working from home

CDU graduates have the best career and employment prospects. International students have ranked CDU 1st in Australia for learning and living experience

Hema

CDU student

hema giri

I wanted to turn my regular job into my dream job, and the Charles Darwin University course offered exactly what I needed: practical skills.

Yulia

CDU student

Yulila Shche writing at a desk / working from home

CDU graduates have the best career and employment prospects. International students have ranked CDU 1st in Australia for learning and living experience

Hema

CDU student

hema giri

Course details

Accreditation

This is a current, nationally accredited qualification from the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package.

Employability skills

Employability Skills are embedded in the training and assessment of national training package qualifications. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting this website and keying in the national code for the qualification: training.gov.au

Location and study mode

Delivery at all locations is subject to sufficient demand and resources.



Locations:Remote



Study Mode: workplace assessment



Subject to demand other locations and modes may become available throughout the year.

Additional information

Sector
TAFE
Industry groups
PRIMARY INDUSTRY
Occupation types
Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
Area of study
Agriculture and Rural Operations

Contact details

Agriculture and Rural Operations
Location: Katherine Rural Campus
Phone: 08 8973 8311
Email: vet.agriculture@cdu.edu.au

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

How to apply for domestic students

CDU TAFE has several pathways for you to apply.

 

Visit How to apply for CDU TAFE courses for more information.

 

Admission requirements for domestic students

Before applying, you may want to check if you meet the admission requirements for studying with CDU.

 

CDU has many pathways to study, so don't worry if you don't meet the admission requirements right now. There is a study pathway to get you started on your journey.

Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?

That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.

 

To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.

How to apply for international students

Applications to CDU must be submitted online.

 

The process is simple, all you need is a valid email address to create your online account.

 

Once you have started the application you will have the option of saving your application and resuming it at a later date.

 

There is no application fee when you apply online.

Find a CDU agent partner

Applicants may seek further information about international education in Australia from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training or from our overseas / external representatives.

 

To help with the process, we've compile a list of authorised representatives.

Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?

That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.

 

To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.

 

Things like the difference between domestic and international students or the difference between course types like TAFE and undergraduate.

We are here to help

Submit an enquiry and our friendly team will be in touch.

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