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National code: AHC31021

Certificate III in Parks and Gardens

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Overview About this course

If you dream of a career that surrounds you with plants and trees, cultivate a career in horticulture. Get your hands dirty and find fulfilment in maintaining outdoor spaces in the community that are enjoyed by so many.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

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

  • Identify plants and understand how best to tend to them

  • Implement a plant nutrition program

  • Use your keen eye to troubleshoot and report on plant health

  • Conduct specialist transplanting, pruning and mowing operations

  • Control weeds, plant pests, diseases and disorders

  • Improve soil quality

Course outcomes

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

  • Experience working on parks and gardens constructed or rejuvenated in an outdoor space

  • The opportunity to visit botanic gardens, parks, campus surroundings or nurseries through excursions to support your learning

  • The ability to conduct specialist pruning techniques on a range of vines, hedges and small trees

  • The opportunity to become affiliated with the Australian Institute of Horticulture upon graduating

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • Check the campus page for requirements to take this course as an apprenticeship

  • This course may also be offered as a non-apprenticeship. Enquire today to discuss your eligibility.

Entry recommendations

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

  • An interest in the natural environment

  • Comfortability working outdoors, in different environments, terrains and in a range of weather conditions

  • A reasonable level of fitness to use wheelbarrows, do repetitive lifting and be on your feet for long periods

  • Literacy, numeracy and computer literacy at Year 10 level

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, gardener , parks and gardens worker and sporting ground garden maintenance.

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 1 Course

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 Parks and Gardens qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 16 units of competency, including 11 core and 5 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.

  • Implement a grassed area maintenance program AHCTRF309

  • Implement a plant establishment program AHCPGD307

  • Perform specialist amenity pruning AHCPGD309

  • Implement a landscape maintenance program AHCPGD310

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

Info sessions Want to know more?

There are a total of 2 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

You can select a delivery option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Horticulture

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.