AHC50116 Diploma of Agriculture

The benefit of studying this course is that it is fully online and you don’t have to schedule your time to attend face-to-face classroom sessions. You can study in your own home or anywhere that suits your learning style.

To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:

• 10 units of competency:
  • 0 core units
  • 10 elective units.

Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. The electives can be chosen to provide a general qualification or a qualification with a specialisation

Units are classified as Group A or Group B. To earn the qualification you need to complete:

• 5 units from group A
• 3 units from groups A or B
• the remaining 2 units must be selected from units listed in groups A or B, or any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course that ensure integrity of the qualification outcome of AQF level 5.

You must complete ten (10) units of study to gain the qualification. For full details of these units and packaging rules see http://training.gov.au/Training/Details/AHC50116. Please note some subjects listed below cluster multiple units.

• AHCAGB518 Develop climate risk management strategies (Group A - Foundation)
• AHCWHS502 Manage work health and safety processes (Group A – Foundation)
• AHCSOL505 Monitor and manage soils for production (Group A - Foundation) The subject includes soil testing. The cost of the testing is not included in the course fees.
• AHCAGB513 Develop a farm plan (Group A – Foundation)

Livestock

• AHCLSK504 Develop livestock health and welfare strategies (Group A)
• AHCLSK510 Develop production plans for livestock (Group A)
• *AHCLSK509 Develop and implement a breeding strategy (Group A)

*Note: you must have access to a breeding unit (40 plus) of beef cows or its equivalent in other livestock to undertake this subject.

Crops and pastures

• AHCBAC512 Develop production plans for crops (Group A)
• *AHCBAC513 Apply plant biology to agronomic practices (Group A)

*Note: completion of this unit involves setting up and monitoring two small plant experiments

Business

• AHCAGB512 Plan and manage infrastructure (Group B)
• AHCBUS513 Market products and services (Group A)
• *AHCBUS511 Manage enterprise staff requirements (Group A) 
  

  *Note: you need to be a workplace supervisor to complete this subject.

Possible job roles for this qualification include:

• Senior farm hand
• Technical officer
• Production unit supervisor
• Assistant farm/property manager
• Production unit manager
• Farm property manager
• Farm business manager
• Agronomist.

Tocal College requires students have either attained a Certificate III in Agriculture or have at least two years of experience on a commercial farm.

Students must have:

• access to a commercial farm enterprise to complete assessment tasks
• Australian citizenship, permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship
• adequate language, literacy and numeracy skills to complete the course
• basic to intermediate computing skills, and reliable internet speed.

You will have two (2) years to complete the course. There is no minimum timeframe for completion. To complete the course in two (2) years, you will be required to do 10 to 15 hours of study per week, and complete one (1) unit every eight (8) weeks. To complete the course in one (1) year, you will be required to do 20 to 30 hours of study per week, and completed one (1) unit every five (5) weeks.

If you are already employed or have experience in agriculture, you may be eligible to gain part or all of this qualification based on skills or experience you already have. See Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for more information.

Your skills and understanding will be assessed for each unit through a variety of tasks. All assessments are marked within five (5) working days, following the day you submit your work. You have four (4) attempts for each task to achieve a competency result, and your assessor will provide detailed feedback following each submission.

Support is available via:

• email and phone – refer to the contact details listed within your course
• face-to-face mentoring sessions on-campus – you can book an appointment with your trainer
• Canvas (the online learner management system).

• Indicative fee: $5,500* ($550 per unit)
• You can pay as you go (pay for two (2) units at a time).
• If you are a resident of NSW, you may be eligible for a training subsidy under Smart and Skilled.

*A merchant surcharge applies to payments on credit cards, and fees are subject to change.

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice, see Industry qualification student policies.