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National code: AHC31120

Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Nursery Production)

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Overview About this course

Gain the essential skills to produce healthy indoor and outdoor plants on a large scale for nurseries, or put your knowledge to use in local parks or gardens. Graduate ready to enjoy a fulfilling career working outdoors in a team.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Identify plant specimens

  • Apply biosecurity measures

  • Provide information on plants and their culture

  • Control pests, diaseases and disorders

  • Operate machinery and equipment including tractors

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally recognised qualification at Certificate III level

  • Experience in implementing plant nutrition and propagation programs

  • Knowledge to identify plant species and maintain healthy plants

  • Skills to apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases

  • Strong pathways to continue your studies and enhance your career opportunities

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Previous nursery or horticulture industry experience

  • A passion for plants and plant growing techniques

  • An interest in biology and botany

  • An intermediate level of physical fitness, as this is a highly practical course

  • Sufficient eyesight capability in order to operate machinery or equipment safely, accurately identify flora, fauna, pests and diseases associated with plants, see landforms and rough topography, read and interpret maps and read and accurately interpret chemical labels

  • The ability to provide your own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including closed toe shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved top where required

  • A class C car licence

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level

  • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: horticulturist, production horticulturist, gardener, parks and gardens manager and retail nursery worker.

Licensing

Completion of two units in this course Transport and Store Chemicals and Prepare and Apply Chemicals for Pests Weeds and Diseases entitles you to apply for a Chemical Users Licence from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to transport and apply chemicals on public land or as a landscaping employee.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 2 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Nursery Operations (Nursery Production) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 16 Units of competency, including 9 core and 7 speciality units.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Troubleshoot irrigation systems AHCIRG338

  • Contribute to work health and safety processes AHCWHS301

  • Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases AHCCHM307

  • Control plant pests, diseases and disorders AHCPMG302

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Delivery options Find a location to enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.