About this course

Build your skills in agricultural planning and management

The AHC50122 Diploma of Agriculture will help you build your skills in agricultural planning and management, giving you the knowledge to make informed decisions, improve farm operations and support the long-term success of your agricultural business.

This qualification is ideal for farm owners, managers, agronomists and agricultural service providers who want to build on their existing knowledge and skills.

You’ll develop your knowledge and skills in:

  • planning and managing agricultural operations
  • workplace health and safety
  • environmental management and sustainability
  • livestock production
  • crop production.

By strengthening your agricultural management skills, you’ll be better equipped to plan for the future, manage farm operations and make decisions that support the long-term success of your business.

Is this course right for me?

This diploma is suited to farm owners, managers, agronomists and agricultural service providers who want to develop their skills in agricultural planning, production and business management. Before enrolling, consider whether you’re ready to build on your existing agricultural knowledge and apply what you learn to real workplace situations. As the course involves online learning, you’ll need to complete a quick Digital Literacy Check to help you understand the digital skills required and prepare for online study. Complete the Digital Literacy Check. If you’re ready to strengthen your agricultural management skills and explore your eligibility for a NSW training subsidy, click on the register now button.

At a glance:

Course duration: Maximum of two (2) years
Start date: Enrol anytime
Number of units: 10
Indicative fees: $6,200 ($620 per unit of study)
Full subsidy funding may be available for eligible applicants in NSW
Accredited Course: Yes

Details

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:
    • 2 core units plus
    • 8 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.

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

  • 2 units from group A
  • 4 units not already selected 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.

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/AHC50122. Please note some subjects listed below cluster multiple units.

CORE SUBJECTS

These two (2) core  or compulsory subjects must be completed before selecting electives

FOUNDATION SUBJECTS

Tocal College encourages all student to complete three (3) foundation subjects listed below in addition to the two (2) core subjects. We recommend that subjects be completed in the order below. The remaining five (5) Electives may then be selected.

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

Livestock

Crops and pastures

Business

Additional units that align with farm financial management outcomes are offered through the short course, Plan to Profit. This course differs from other Diploma of Agriculture units in that it is offered as a series of Webinars over 12 weeks with fixed start dates. This course aligns with the Units:

  • AHCBUS517 Monitor and review business performance (Group A)
  • AHCBUS516 Develop and review a business plan (Group A)
  • AHCBUS518 Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports (Group A)

See: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses/short-courses/agskilled/plan-to-profit. Please discuss this opportunity with the Course Coordinator.

Chemicals

Updated 02/2026

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 relevant industry experience.

Participants must:

  • Have access to a video and audio recording device such as a smart phone or a web cam.
  • Have access to a relevant farm enterprise to complete assessment tasks.
  • Complete the mandatory Digital Literacy Check prior to enrolment to verify readiness for online learning systems and study tools.
  • Have access to a computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection to navigate online learning portals, access resource materials, and submit assessment portfolios.
  • Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or New Zealand citizenship

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability Requirements

To complete this qualification successfully, participants will need:

  • Reading: Interpreting complex agricultural legislation, Work Health and Safety (WHS) compliance frameworks, financial budgets, enterprise risk management standards, and agronomic/livestock technical reports.
  • Writing: Drafting comprehensive farm management plans, biosecurity protocols, environmental sustainability strategies, enterprise budgets, and WHS risk assessment policies.
  • Numeracy: Performing financial forecasting, calculating enterprise gross margins, analyzing feed/fertilizer conversion metrics, interpreting soil chemistry data, and managing capital budgets.
  • Oral Communication & Hearing: Conducting workplace consultations, leading farm safety briefings, negotiating with supply chain partners/agronomists, and presenting strategic enterprise proposals.
  • Digital Literacy: Navigating online learning platforms, using spreadsheet software for financial modeling, accessing digital mapping/spatial tools, and communicating via web channels.

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 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 will have multiple 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
  • Individual mentoring sessions with your trainer or technical expert – you can book an appointment with your trainer
  • Canvas (the online learner management system).

  • Indicative fee: $6,200 ($620 per unit) under review for  2027
  • You can pay as you go (1 unit at a time)
  • If you are a resident of NSW, you may be eligible for a training subsidy under Smart and Skilled.
  • NSW commercial scale farmers and farm managers may be eligible for a training subsidy under the NSW DPIRD Farm Business Resilience Program

For information on students rights and responsibilities see our Policies.



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